I love that (in)courage truly has built a place for the hearts of women. I feel at home here and it is filled with the most amazing women who are chasing after God and letting His hand write all over their lives. I’m so grateful to be here, aren’t you?
This past fall I started hanging out with the leaders of our (in)courage community groups called (in)couragers. They opened the doors of places online for like-minded women to gather, encourage each other, and connect beyond the blog post. It was like watching little lighthouses of encouragement pop up all over the internet. It was a beautiful sight to see. I also learned a few things along the way as well, and I thought I’d share them with you today:
- If you are breathing, you can encourage others.
- Everyone needs encouragement.
- You don’t have to be perfect in a perfect stage of life to encourage someone. You just have to be willing.
- We are like Jesus when we encourage.
- Hanging out with encouraging women is a good thing.
- Prayer is a great way to encourage someone.
- Social media was made for encouraging.
- Encouragement is like a good cup of coffee on a cold day – it warms you up from the inside out and helps kick start your day.
- For women, encourage is a love language.
- (in)courage gets encouragement.
We are busy right now planning for our second session of community groups. During our next round we will be expanding existing groups and opening new ones. Our plan is to start on February 12 and go through the end of April. I hope you will make plans now to be part of it. We’ll have a place just for you. I promise.
Leave a Comment“So speak encouraging words to one another.
Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.
I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 The Message
So blessed to have found this community and be a part of it.
Mary – I can’t wait to see what God does through your group this session!
“For women, encourage is a love language.” never thought of it that way, but i agree! it’s like a secret handshake that we all intuitively know! 🙂 –kris
Oh, I love the way you said it better!
Looking forward to what lies ahead!
Love this! True story, well said! No matter what phase/stage/age – we love (and need) to be encouraged!
I think there are some (many?) women that have this gift, but haven’t found the power of it. Dare I say it runs in certain “me monster” generations? Even then, once God shows them how He is glorified through it – they are hooked!
Thanks for sharing!!
I am so thankful to have found the groups. To be a part of something so much bigger than me. The (in)courage groups are mini resting places along life’s path. My life has been enriched in ways I find difficult to describe.
Thank you (in)courage.me.com team for opening these doors.
Thank you, Stacey, for how you have led these groups and spoken encouragement into our hearts! I was telling my co-leader for the working moms group — having the title of (in)courager has made me live up to it in other areas of life, too. I look for ways to encourage the women around me in a new way. I always had the gift of encouragement, and having this space to use it has been the biggest blessing! I love how you wrote that you don’t have to be in the perfect place in life to encourage… the past year has been one of the hardest of my life, but I’m so inspired by 2 Cor. 1… that just as Christ comforts me in my struggles, I can comfort others who are struggling too. God is so amazing! Love you, girl.
Amanda – that truly inspires me! Thank you for living this message!
Hi. How does one become a member of a or the community group? May I please have more information. Thank you
The New Session of (in)couragers starts on 2/12 – we will have a sign up and then you can find a group that best fits you! In the mean time you can go here for a glance at what is to come:
https://aws.incourage.me/incourage-community-groups
Hi Stacey, Thank you so much for responding to my question so quickly. That is very kind of you. It’s rare and I am grateful. I wil keep my eyes open for 2/12 sign up and in the meantime, I will peruse the the site you recommended. I hope it is alright if I send you a hug.
I am also interested in becoming a member of a community group. Can someone please direct us on how to do that? Thank you!
As I said in the above comment: The New Session of (in)couragers starts on 2/12 – we will have a sign up and then you can find a group that best fits you! In the mean time you can go here for a glance at what is to come:
https://aws.incourage.me/incourage-community-groups
So thankful for incourage. I always enjoy reading the blogs and knowing that other women around are going thru similiar situations and I am never alone. Thank you Jesus.
I would also like information on how to join the incouragement groups.
Thank you
Kim – we start up on 2/12 for the new session. You can go here for more info:
https://aws.incourage.me/incourage-community-groups
[…] put you in touch with the right person. Head (in)courager Stacey Thacker just wrote a piece called 10 Things I Learned from (in)courage Community Groups that’s pretty great. [She blogs at 29 Lincoln Avenue. I just "met" her online, and I have to […]
Yay, Stacey – so grateful for you, our fearless leader! 🙂
Michelle – so glad to have you on board!
Stacey, I am thrilled to be a part of an (in)courage group and completely humbled as well. I want to let it humble me even more. I have been praying for years to encourage women going through chronic illness, and even though I have done my best to live that out in my daily life, I’m totally overwhelmed by His grace in creating a community through (in)courage to do this online and that He’s allowed me to be a part of it. Part of me feels totally not good enough and the other part of me says, “OK Lord, I’m yours. Use me.” THANK YOU for allowing yourself to be used to bless us!
Love your heart Kim! Praying for you!
[…] 10 Things I Learned from (in)courage Community Groups | (in)courage https://aws.incourage.me/I love that (in)courage truly has built a place for the hearts of women. I feel at home here and it is filled with the most amazing women who are chasing after God and letting His hand write all over. […]
Looking forward to encouraging others right along with you, Stacey:)
Yay! Number 7 finally gives me a good argument for time spent on facebook!
{smile} I actually wrote a post called “Why Jesus Doesn’t Need a Facebook Page” because what He really wants to do is hang out on yours!
Stacey, would you mind sharing the link with me for the post?
Absolutely! Here it is!
http://www.29lincolnavenue.com/2012/11/why-jesus-doesnt-need-a-facebook-page/
Love it! Being able to encourage others is such a Christ-like attribute and an amazing way to serve.
Stacey, how cool to be in such a great community with other women!
Love being a part of this amazing group of women!!!
Loved the post@! Encouragement is a huge deal for most women.
I had always heard about God’s spiritual gifts He gives to people. I never truly understood and knew what mine was. Recently I realized it must be the gift of encouragement. I seem to sense when a card is needed to be given/sent, pick-me-up email, hugs, etc. I have done that several times at work–even to some people I don’t know well. I’ve prayed about their situations. You are correct in stating it doesn’t matter what age/stage life you’re in–if the Holy Spirit moves you then just do it!
I love that verse in the Message! And I am so excited to be part of this group. I almost missed out because of fear — but you, Stacey and Lisa-Jo and the women here, are so gracious and welcoming! I don’t have to be afraid because you all encourage us every step of the way!
I am elated to have found (in)courage. I am scared to death but I am going to host a meetup! HELP ANYTIME! Thanks for the great post.