Overwhelmed Gratitude
Thank you Ernie Dawg
I’ve always had trouble accepting compliments due to my low self-esteem. Growing up, I never felt good enough for anything I did. Despite the constant support from my wife, our boys, my mom, and my cousin Blanca—who was always honest yet kind—I often wondered if their praise was just to spare my feelings. Blanca’s feedback could be tough, but it was always aimed at helping me pursue my dreams with confidence. I still struggle with this today.
Psalm 27:3, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 reminds us to hold onto our confidence and persevere, trusting that God will reward our efforts.
Hebrews 10:35-36 – New International Version
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
This passage encourages believers to hold onto their confidence and to persevere in their faith and actions, trusting that their efforts will be rewarded by God. It speaks to maintaining confidence in one’s abilities and calling, even when faced with doubts and challenges.
Jeremiah 17:7, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
Relating this to my message, the scripture aligns with my struggle to accept compliments and my journey of self-doubt. Despite my low self-esteem and the challenge of believing in my own worth, Hebrews 10:35-36 encourages us to keep our confidence in our gifts and in the purpose we believe God has for us. It reassures me that perseverance in my writings and faith will ultimately lead to rewards and fulfillment.
Ernie’s review serves as an affirmation of this, reinforcing that my efforts and my trust in God’s guidance are valuable and that my perseverance is being recognized and rewarded.
I write because I feel guided by the Lord’s Words, and I never take credit for anything I write because I know I’m not that creative or clever (yep, there’s that self-esteem issue making a cameo again). I’m a work in progress, and I strive to Glorify the Lord through this gift, finding Peace and Comfort in my writing, much like my relationship with Him. It brings me Joy, Peace, and Calm, even amidst the struggles with my health, my family’s health, and life’s challenges.
So, why am I sharing this? Reading the heartfelt review from my Dear Friend, who I consider a brother (and to me, the term “brother or sister” means more than just a word—it signifies deep love and respect as Christ loves us), moved me to tears.
Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor
It was a validation I hadn’t allowed myself to fully accept, and it means so much to me. I immediately shared it with my wife, boys, and Small Group Brothers, overwhelmed by the support and encouragement. It felt like a profound affirmation of my journey and my work, and I wanted to celebrate this moment with those closest to me who have always stood by my side. Your support has been a crucial part of this experience, and I’m deeply grateful for it.
In closing,
I am reminded of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse encapsulates my journey of grappling with self-doubt and learning to accept my worth. Even in moments of struggle and uncertainty, it’s through Christ’s strength that I find the courage to keep moving forward.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Reading Ernie’s heartfelt review was a profound moment for me, reinforcing the value of perseverance and the impact of support from those I cherish. It was a powerful reminder of the love and encouragement that surrounds me, and it affirmed that my efforts are not in vain. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who has supported me, and I hope to continue sharing this journey with all of you, trusting in God’s plan and grace.
Thank you for being a part of this meaningful chapter in my life.
You Are Loved.
Willie Torres Jr.
08/18/2024
If you feel inspired and uplifted by this content, please consider supporting my work at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/willie13. Every contribution helps me create more of what you enjoy!
Willie Torres Jr. 
73 responses to “Embracing Grace”
Your work is always an inspiration to me, Willie. Your words touch my heart and soul. Don’t ever doubt that God has given you a special gift.
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I used to doubt it, now my question remains, why me? Of course I am no one to question God but I can’t help but wonder why me?
Thank you so much for Reading and for your Kind Comment. You are in my Prayers as always..
Be Blessed and Continue to be a Blessing.
You Are Loved.
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Thank you, Willie. I will keep you in my prayers.
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Thank You 🤗
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Thank you for Reading and for your Sweet Message! It really warms my heart to hear that my work touches you, but I have to give God ALL the Glory, Honor and Praise.
I’m so grateful for your encouragement and support— Your encouragement is a true blessing and a reminder of the amazing ways God works through all of us. 🙏💖
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Thanks to you, Willie, for writing such nice things.❤❤❤❤❤❤
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To God Be The Glory, Honor and Praise.
Thank you for Reading and for Commenting.
God Bless You today and always.
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Thank you for Reading and Commenting. I have to give All the Glory, Honor and Praise to God.
Blessings to you today and always.
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You are AWESOME Willie <3 The way God intended!!! Dawg reading your book image is the best (LOL) ;-) !!! I too struggle with this somewhat for I do believe that what “others” think of me is not my business … but I have to comment because, Willie and family … Ya’ll rock!! :-) Happy Sunday and many more blessings your way ~ Always !!!!
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Thanks so much! 😊 Your support means so much to me..
I’m with you—focusing on what God thinks is key.
Thank you for Reading and Thank you for your Wonderful Comment. I have to give so much Thanks to my Dawg, Ernie, that guy is truly awesome.
To God Be The Glory, Honor and Praise.
God Bless You today and always.
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You are such an inspiration. May you have a blessed week ahead. 🌺
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Thank you so much for Reading and commenting. To God be All the Glory, Honor and Praise.
God Bless you today and always and may He keep you safe in His embrace as we move towards a New week.
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I wish the same for you, too, Willie. :)
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🤗🤗
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Your post is a wonderful example of how faith and perseverance can overcome self-doubt. The way you’ve integrated scripture into your reflections adds depth and inspiration. It’s clear that your writing and your journey are deeply connected to your spiritual path, and your gratitude for the support you’ve received shines through.👍👌🙏🌷
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Thank you so much for Reading and for your Kind Words. I’m truly grateful for your encouragement and for recognizing the connection between my faith and my writing.
To God Be All The Glory, Honor and Praise.
Your support means a lot to me and inspires me to continue on this journey.
Be Blessed and continue to be a Blessing.
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🤝🎉👍🌷🙏
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You are loved and valued!
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Thank you so much for that. And Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
God Bless You Today and Always.
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And yet, you’re aWEsOMe!!
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Aww,..You make me blush. Thank you so much and Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
God’s Continued Blessings to you and the Family.
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Well, I had low self esteem too, as a teenager. It caused me a lot of problems. But Omniscience God worked it out for me, or when I got in line with God’s plan, perhaps I should say, I began to appreciate EVERYTHING.
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Yes, Amen 🙏. This is something I’m still working through. Everyone in my Small Group, along with my wife and my mom, encourages me to be more positive. But holding onto negativity has been like a security blanket for me. I guess a part of me thinks that if I believe I’m not good enough, then I won’t be disappointed if things don’t work out. I know it’s not the right mindset, but it’s something I’ve leaned on for a long time.
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I think it’s good that you know yourself that well, Willie. It’s an honest assessment! You can hold onto your mindset for as long as you like! As you say, it still serves you. My daughter has the same mindset.
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WOW, First thank you so much for this post, you have me looking like the forth picture right off the bat. Speaking of pictures, you have nailed the process for sure. They are crisp and clean bro. And don’t kid yourself Willie, you have talent dripping from your creative process. don’t believe me, just read this post and feel the sincere, heartfelt warmth flowing forth. And the video is prefect for this post. I’ve never heard it before but what a uplifting song. and you can be my shelter anytime with honor.
Thank you so much for being such a guiding light in our lives, love ya brother and have a blessed day. By the way, I’m stealing these pictures!
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Thank You Brother for Reading and Commenting. I definitely had to share your post and express my sincere gratitude.
Brother, I truly appreciate your friendship and kindness. What you’ve written, and continue to write, means more to me than words can express. It reminds me of how God places people in our lives to support, guide, and encourage us. I felt a deep loss when I lost my best friend and little brother in 2020, and again last year when my church Small Group ended. I’ve missed that sense of community and brotherly love, but I’ve found it here again (or rather, the Lord revealed it here). As for the pictures, I really enjoyed creating them. It took some time, but I wanted to get them just right. I hope they do you justice. And about the song—Brother, you can be my shelter too.
Peace, Love and Nighty nite.
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[…] Embracing Grace Dawghouse Spotlight Previous […]
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nice post :)
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Thank you .. And Thank you for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
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You’re welcome 🙏🌸
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I love your honesty and thank you for sharing yourself with us. You are inspiring us with the things you write. You definitely have a spirit of humility and love. God bless you 🌺
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Thank you for Visiting, Reading and for your Thoughtful Message. I’m genuinely humbled by your words and am glad that my writing can be a source of inspiration. To God Be All the Glory, Honor and Praise. Your support and encouragement mean so much to me.
May God Bless you today and always.
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Thank you, my brother for always being the light that helps me and others see.
You are AWESOME, don’t forget that.
Always a inspiration. Blessings to you and yours.⚡🤗
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Thank you so much. This brought me to tears. I think I am getting a little to emotional at my age. 😆🥲😢 or maybe this is ALL part of God’s Doing. Just a way of Him relating the message that He is proud of the work I am doing in Honoring Him. I don’t do any of this to glorify myself for I am just an ordinary person, I do it all to Glorify Our Heavenly Father. I do it all to let everyone know that they are Cherished and Loved, not just by me but by Our God. It reminds me of the Casting Crowns song, Who Am I. “Who am I, that the Lord of All the earth, will care to know my name, care to feel my hurt. – Not because of who I am, But because of what You’ve done. Not because of what I’ve done, But because of who You are.”
Thank you so much for Reading and for your Heartfelt Comment.
Be Blessed and Continue to be a Blessing.
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It’s a pleasure, my brother. Love your message.
I’m happy we crossed paths. GOD put people in our lives for a reason. He makes no mistakes, continue being obedient in his word and he will always bless you. 🙌
I understand, sometimes I get emotional when I read my comments, knowing I’m doing right by GOD not man.
Blessings & Peace!! 🙌🤗
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I feel the exact same way. Amen 🙏 to your words. There are no coincidence and no mistakes when it comes to God’s plans. He puts everything in it’s rightful place and I am truly thankful to you for your kindness and encouragement and support. You are Dearly Loved.
God Bless you today and always.
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I understand your feelings, Willie. I am embarrassed by compliments, yet want the feedback of knowing if I’m on track. But hearing positive thoughts about us or our work makes us uncomfortable. We want to be humble, never arrogant. Your verses make me wonder if perhaps we are not acknowledging God’s gifts to us when we brush off the compliments. This is a thought-provoking post.
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Thank you for your thoughtful response. I struggle with how to handle compliments while staying humble and focused on giving God the glory. Your insight into whether brushing off praise might be overlooking God’s gifts is valuable. It makes me rethink how I react to positive feedback and whether I’m truly acknowledging and honoring the talents I’ve been given. Your perspective has really given me something to consider as I try to find that balance.
Thank you so much for Reading and for your Heartfelt Comment.
God’s Continued Blessings to you, today and always.
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Congratulations and very well deserved👏👏
I’m so happy for you and I appreciate that the review is a testament of what God is doing through your work.
Willie, it always feels like I know you and I know you are a kind person who deserves all the love and support.
May you always know that you are an inspiration to so many people and God is just starting with you,
You shall see it and looking back, it will be all worth it.
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Thank you so much for Reading and for your Heartfelt Message! Your support and encouragement mean the world to me. I’m deeply touched by your words and grateful for the reminder that God is at work through all of this. The hardest part is always remembering and knowing that God is with us. This we know but there are so many that do not know and do not believe it. This is what I try to convey in my messages, that through all the trials, struggles and problems of Life, He knows, He cares and He is with us.
Knowing I’m making a difference through His Words is incredibly rewarding.
Thanks for being a part of this journey with me. 🙏💖
You Are Loved Dear Sister.
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You’re always welcome and thank you 😊
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You have always shown me nothing but kindness and respect. Never doubt that you are indeed an inspiration to so many. Many blessings to you and your family Willie. Keep being you. 🤍
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Thank you so much for Reading and Commenting and Thank you for your kind words!
It means a lot to hear that. I appreciate your support and am grateful for the Blessings.
May the Lord Bless You today and always.
I’ll keep doing my best—God’s Blessings to you, today and always.
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Well-written and great teaching! This is your calling. 🌸 🙏.
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Thank you and Thank You also for Reading and for your Heartfelt Comment.
To God be All the Glory, Honor and Praise. 🤗🤗
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These are messages of encouragement, inspiration and resilience. Thank you for sharing these moments of reflection with us! Thank you for your work and for Leo! 🦁🙂🇯🇵
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Thank you for your kind words and Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.
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BUON INIZIO SETTIMANA
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You as well. Have a Wonderful and Blessed Week .
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GRAZIE WILLIE
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I believe that our own perception of ourselves may hinder what God wants to do in us.
If I think I am something, I may not be of any value to his work.
If I think I am nothing, how can accept his calling?
It is faith that levels us into knowing and accepting his calling in us, so that we are a benefit for his Kingdom, and a confidence for those who are still seeking for their strengths.
Bless you, Willie.
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Absolutely, it’s about finding balance—trusting in God’s plan and letting faith guide us. Our self-perception shouldn’t limit His work through us. Thanks for the reminder and blessings to you too! 🙌✨
Thank you so much for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
God Bless You today and always.
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Brother, for sure self doubt is something we all struggle with as the flesh tends to focus only on our perceived flaws and what others think. But thank God that through Christ, we are more than enough and more than conquerors. Leo is strong because of what you have overcome. Keep sharing the uplifting and deeply poignant stories and keep writing from the heart of Christ . 💛🙏🙏🙏
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Thank You for Reading and Commenting and Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
It’s comforting to remember that our worth comes from Christ, not our flaws or others’ opinions.
I’m grateful for your support and will continue to share from the heart for as long as the Lord wills it. 🙏💪
You Are Dearly Loved.
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Always happy to be of encouragement, Brother! We all need it to stay the course and it blesses not just the recipient but the sender as well. God bless you and yours always! 💛🙏🙏🙏Bev WeldonSent from my iPhone
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Amen 🙏🤗❤
God Bless you and yours as well.
You Are Loved.
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A well deserved validation, my brother! Grace embraced, ultimately an extension of God’s Grace! Blessings!
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To God Be All the Glory, Honor and Praise.
Thank you so much for Visiting, Reading and for you Kind Comment.
Blessings to you today and always.
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You’re welcome!
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You are quite the Author. Wonderful gift! You must be patient with yourself. As we learn to keep our eyes on Jesus and all that He is, we lose all that we are in Him. He will take care of all our bigs and littles.
Blessings to you! 🙏🏻🎶🕊️
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Thank you for Reading and Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’m really humbled by your kindness. I do struggle with self-esteem, but your reminder to keep my focus on Jesus and trust Him with everything is exactly what I needed. We’re all works in progress, learning and growing each day. I’m thankful for people like you who support, encourage, and help keep me accountable. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As Iron Sharpens Iron,” it’s through these connections that we continue to grow.
Thanks again for being such a positive influence.
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🩷🌹🎶🙏🏻🕊️
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😍Believe in yourself, you are wonderful. God is with you and with all of us. Continue your efforts. My peace to all of your family. Good morning
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Thank you, Dear Sister for Reading, Commenting and for your overwhelming Support and Encouragement.
May the Lord Bless You and your Family as well, today and always.
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I’m so glad you preserved despite your low self confidence. Your thoughts and insights have been an inspiration to us all.
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Thank you for Visiting, Reading and Thank you for your kind words. I’m deeply Grateful, but all the Glory goes to God. It’s His Grace and Guidance that have made everything possible. I’m just thankful to be used by Him and to be part of this supportive community.
Be Blessed and be a Blessing.
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You ought to have a comic book
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I’m actually thinking of putting Leo’s stories into some sort of book, May it be the Lord’s Will. We shall see.
Thank you Brother for Reading and for Your Encouraging Comment.
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Aww
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🤗🤗
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😃
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Lovely post.
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Thank You so much for Visiting, Reading and Commenting. I’m so glad you loved the post.
To God Be All the Glory, Honor and Praise.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.
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