It sounds like y’all enjoyed the June (in)courage desktop wallpaper enough that we’re incorporating these downloadable wallpapers into a monthly feature. In case you really like a particular one and want to keep using it, I’m including versions both with and without a calendar. Both are available 1280×800 and 1680×1050 sizes.
This one is very Southern: look at all that kudzu! Just right-click and save to your computer, and then set as your desktop wallpaper. Enjoy!
September with calendar: 1680×1050 | 1280×800
September without calendar: 1680×1050 | 1280×800
Encourage One Another is a theme that we’re celebrating here at (in)courage in honor of the site’s one year anniversary and relaunch. In my personal experience, there’s nothing like friendships with like-minded sisters in Christ to comfort and support you in the difficult times and rejoice with you in good seasons.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed. When my best friends get together for some girl time, it’s fascinating to see that we’re fighting the same battles, each on our own turf.
We have children the same ages and many of our experiences with them ring familiar. Knowing that everyone else’s 10 year old daughter is sassy and exasperating (can we see a show of hands?) doesn’t make the problem go away, but it just feels better to commiserate with each other, sometimes brainstorming parenting tactics.
I Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
You are not alone. Whatever you’re facing, others have “been there, done that” or they may be in the same place right now. Encourage one another, however that looks in your life—whether through online, face-to-face, or long-distance friendships.
Where do you turn for encouragement?
by Dawn Camp, My Home Sweet Home
Leave a Comment
Melissa | Madabella: made beautiful says
Beeeeautiful desktop, Dawn! Can’t wait to load it on my computer.
I always turn to my mom first for encouragement…and YES! there is nothing like getting together with girlfriends who know exactly what I am talking about with my struggles and trials.
I happened to post some printable encouragement cards for anyone that wants them, so I thought I’d share with y’all, too.
Love Letters from God:
http://madabella.typepad.com/blog/2010/09/diy-printable-signed-god.html
Rebekah says
oh my goodness, those are FABULOUS! i’m printing mine RIGHT. NOW! thanks for sharing these awesome encouragement cards, melissa!
p.s. the combined names of your daughters is beautiful 🙂
Jamie says
Beautiful, thank you! I have a couple close girlfriends that I call when I need a pick me up or some good advice. They are a tremendous blessing and I don’t know what I’d do without them!
Brooke says
Encouragement usually comes from one of my very best friends. She has been in bad health and today was a very rough day so I’m feeling a bit alone. Today I’m seeking encouragement from In Courage. 🙂 Can you ladies pray for me please? Struggling . . .
Melissa says
lifting you up to Him, Brooke…praying that His goodness and love surrounds you, that is presence is unmistakable and that He fills you with His joy…
Stacey says
Yes raising my hand and love knowing that I am not alone on the journey especially with my maturing 11 year old girl!
Love this Dawn! Thanks for the reminder!
kirstie says
First, I’d like to say how happy I am to have found you all (via Lisa Leonard’s blog)! I’ve recently – about 1 year ago – recommitted myself to God and I’m bringing my husband & son with me 😉 Finding yet another meeting place for women of faith is a gift.
And speaking of gifts, I had a hard time after my son was born. I live about an hour away from my best friend and didn’t know ANYONE! I found a local playgroup and shortly thereafter, the Lord led 3 of the most amazing, faithful women to the same group. All at once I found a church and 3 more best friends. When I’m having difficulty, I turn to my best friends and then we turn to prayer. I thank God for them everyday.
Melissa, those cards are beautiful, thank you!! Brooke. I’m praying for you!
Marilyn Yocum says
God’s Word….and even SITTING QUIETLY in His presence (as opposed to sitting quietly to brood – not the same thing at all)…is a source of encouragement for me. It seems to open a flow of encouragement that comes throughout the day. Maybe it just opens my eyes to what I might otherwise miss?
THANKS for the desktop and the scripture. Perfect timing, that one!
allison morrison says
Thanks for the wallpaper…it’s great! I’ll enjoy it all month!
Rachel says
I turn to God’s Word for encouragement. He is my source of true hope in the midst of trials.
I also turn to friends when I need a listening ear. Sometimes I will go and read a friend’s blog, someone who has “been there, done that” and can testify to the Lord’s faithfulness in the midst of suffering.
school grants says
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
Tina says
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the great post today! I am going through some necessary healing right now. So right now I don’t have any close friends locally but I have been receiving a lot of support and encouragement from Incourage and heart to heart w holley. Especially the much needed prayer.
Thank you so much ladies!
In Christ’s Love & Prayers
Sis in Christ
Tina
Tiffany says
Encouragement for me comes in so many different forms! Being in ministry with my husband, it can be very tough and emotionally exhausting. When our college students tell us that the word of God is moving in their lives and they are growing spiritually, Dan and I are encouraged! We are bearing fruit in the ministry and that is encouraging! I have beautiful women in my life who are also in the ministry, who are moms of sassy toddlers and stay at home. It is encouraging to me to get together with them and either cry in exasperation (can I get an amen) or laugh hysterically over the crazy moments in our lives. Great post!
And I love the September wallpaper. Instantly saved it to my computer!
Ramblings of a Woman says
First I have to say that God is SO COOL. Dawn and I used to know each other in a “past life”, but had lost touch. I came to the home page yesterday for (in)courage and imagine my surprise to see Dawns’ name and face! We have been able to catch up a bit and that is awesome!
Now for my comment!
My husband is a great source of comfort for me as well as my adult daughter. I also have found a great bunch of bloggy friends, although I just discovered (in)courage yesterday! Reading God’s word and singing worship songs are also a great encouragement as well.
Great post Dawn, thanks for the wallpaper!
Bernice
http://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/moving-towards-simplicity/
L.L. Barkat says
Goodness, has it really been a year already? I remember your inception and how you took the Web by (happy) storm. And here you are… still whirling and dancing, kicking up leaves and sand and grace on the wind.
April says
very timely message for me to read today. in need of encouragement when things are hard in my new job….so many miles away from my circle of friends. Thankful for sites like this to (in)courage and lift me up when it is really hard.
Anne says
My source of encouragement comes from the Lord through many ways. A lot of times it is through His Word. Sometimes He uses close friends of mine or even family members but my biggest source is my day to day walk with Him that gets me through whatever comes my way.
I just found your site through “Giving Up On Perfect” Blog. I am so glad I found this place. It sounds so encouraging and a place I would love to come back and visit often. This type of a blog is so needed for so many women, including myself. I have also added myself to follow you on Blogfrog and Twitter. I love reading how the Lord worked through each of you with putting this site together. I’ll be back again.
God Bless……..
Dawn Camp says
Ann, I’m thankful you and others have found us. The site is not only an encouragement to others, it encourages us, too.
Rebekah says
that’s the third time i’ve seen that verse since hearing it sunday morning! when that happens i sit up and take notice that God’s trying to show me **something**. 🙂 i turn to my church family for encouragement. recently i’ve started turning to Scripture. that sounds silly that i’m just now getting it in my head to turn to Scripture, but it has been such a blessing. i’ll google verses about ‘fill-in-the-blank’ and am always encouraged. and of course, here. you people are always encouraging 🙂
great post dawn!
Dawn Camp says
Rebekah, I agree: when you see the same verse over and over, there’s probably a message there for you in it. 🙂
Mel says
Beautiful! thank you! I added it to my computer right away and I love it. It’s gorgeous and peaceful!
Holley Gerth says
Beautiful Dawn, I’m missing you already! I love seeing life through your eyes and heart.
Sandee says
I have a handful of blogs I follow regularly. Ann V’s, Beth Moore, Linny, ….I find myself going to their sites for a bit of inspiration when I am down. And here too. Unfortunately, being a single mom…I don’t have many local connections. My parents are older, and I hate to bother them with concerns, they get too worried. It is hard.
Encourage One Another + a Desktop Wallpaper at (in)courage says
[…] a party going on at (in)courage in honor of our one year anniversary, and I have a post there today on encouraging one another. It also includes a downloadable September desktop […]
Mimi says
Thank you for the calendar! It’s beautiful! You know, I try to share my experience w/ moms I see Tweeting. Since my oldest is 19 I’ve lived through a lot and she has 3 siblings after her. So, I may not know these ladies, but I am so happy when I’ve encouraged, supported or shared with one of them!
Michelle says
Wow, love it…and yes, friends are the family we CHOOSE!!!!!!!! Don’t know what I’d do without you!!
MarshaMarshaMarsha says
Beautiful calendar! That kudzu is crazy stuff… and the Kudzu Cafe (is that the name?) in ATL is beyond yummy. 🙂
For encouragement, God always sends the right person, friend, Scripture passage or even radio program my way. Just when I need it the most.
Crystal says
Thank you so much for the desktop wallpaper! It looks marvelous 🙂 I’ll be looking forward to these monthly.
Nancy M says
YAYYY for this new feature!! The Sept one is gorg!!