💦 A Splash of Encouragement

You know that moment when you think, Sure! I can totally do this! And then five minutes later you realize, Oh dear. I cannot do this. I have lived that moment. 

Dog-paddle with me back to the early 1990s to a weekend church retreat when my roommate Lynn and I created a synchronized swimming routine. Good grief. What on earth were we thinking?

Here’s the instant replay:
We donned our colorful swim caps, tightened our nose plugs, and set our boom box on the edge of the hotel pool. We’d practiced, of course—on our living-room rug. Not in the deep end of a pool where you can’t touch bottom or take a rest. We’d never attempted an underwater somersault, and I had certainly never tried standing on Lynn’s hand while she attempted to lift me out of the water.

We couldn’t stop laughing during this so-called performance, which made it impossible to catch our breath before going under. So we’d mess up our choreography, cling to the edge of the pool, and rewind the cassette tape (yes, cassette tape!) to start over.

And can I just say? One of the best moments ever.

We gave it our best shot, tried something new, and didn’t worry about what our retreat friends were thinking. We had a blast.

And (imagine me saying this as a beautiful sync swimmer is elegantly tossed into the air and caught by her friend) … we did it together.

That’s one of the keys to living a full, abundant life, isn’t it? A life lived with others who bring the support and encouragement as we anticipate all the good things God has for us. Even when we miss the somersault, can’t hear the music, or when there’s no sync in our swim.

We were not created to live life alone.

And that, my friend, is why I write these notes of encouragement.

Our hearts long for community. We want to know we are not alone. And my goodness! We sure do need a whole bunch of encouragement, right?

A year ago, I released Anticipate God’s Goodness: Letters of Encouragement to Ignite Your Spirit. And just last month, its companion guide, Reignite Your Spirit!, made its debut. (Get them in paperback or Kindle!) Both are filled with stories, Scripture, and reminders that God’s goodness meets us every day. The good days, the bad days, and the everyday-in-between days. We really can anticipate the good things He has for us!

(My sync swim story is from Letter #06 “The Sync Swimmers.”)

This note is floating into your inbox with a little request from me. If you haven’t picked up your copies yet, would you take a moment and order them today? You’ll laugh, you’ll nod, and I think your heart will thank you for it.

And why not share these words with others who could use a little extra encouragement? A neighbor, friend from church, daughter, or someone God puts on your heart. Share the Amazon links with her. Or even better, surprise her with a copy and a short note that says, “Thinking about you. Grateful for you.”

And while we’re talking about encouragement, let’s not forget that it’s contagious. When we pass it on, we all get lifted a little higher.

We were created to listen to the music and find the rhythm with each other. So find a friend’s hand under the water to help move you forward. Stand on her shoulders while she lifts and supports you. Lock arms so you can both stay afloat and create something beautiful together.

We don’t need to try to figure it all out on our own. Take it from someone who’s been known to sink before syncing—it doesn’t turn out well.

I really believe that God gave me the encouraging messages in Anticipate God’s Goodness. Not just for you, but for me, too. Because we both need reminders of His steady goodness and faithfulness.

Its companion guide, Reignite Your Spirit!, gives you a place to settle God’s messages into your heart, with notes and prompting questions to help you apply them in your everyday living.

I am so grateful that you choose to read these emailed notes of encouragement a few times each month. For real. You and I both get blessed from it!

I’ll be sending you a couple of extra encouraging notes in the next few days, giving you a glimpse into what my book and its companion guide offer. And, of course, to bring a little sunshine into your day!

Thank you for connecting through these notes. Let’s keep syncing!

With love and gratitude,
Gaye

P.S. I’m cheering for you! May your day be filled with courage, laughter, and just enough splash to remind you how good it feels to show up and jump in! 💦

📖 Anticipate God’s Goodness: Letters of Encouragement to Ignite Your Spirit
📖 Reignite Your Spirit! A Companion Guide