By Barbara Rainey
First Posted on EverThineHome.com
Hey everyone!
Summer is here and masks are going away!
May has been full. I had an email to all of you started earlier this month and then three days ago I wrote another email. And now I’m changing it again. So much for planning ahead. God rules!
Today I want to share a few highlights and photos from May that contained lots of family time.
First, the month began with five of my girls here for a weekend. As I wrote in April my goals were to serve these young moms who needed a break from being on duty 24/7 and to listen, grateful to be in their presence. And that is what I did.
I also shared some verses with them that have encouraged me this spring. I’m including them for you because even today my heart needed them. Knowing God is with me, for us, holding our hands, and working in unseen ways is very comforting.
“He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19
“ … the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him.” Psalm 139:11
“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous … “ Psalm 34:15
“ … I am continually with You; You hold my right hand.” Psalm 73:23
“ … the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13
Here too are a few photos from that weekend.
The next family event was a graduation. We went to Dallas where Dennis had board meetings with Dallas Theological Seminary and our son-in-law, Michael Escue, graduated in the class of 2021. We were there with his sons and his wife, our daughter Ashley. We so admire Michael for this remarkable accomplishment. He did all his classes online while maintaining a medical practice, being a father to seven sons and wife to Ashley, and being very involved in their church.
And then this past weekend we attended graduation for our grandson Peterson Rainey. We also attended his sister’s soccer game and then his soccer game to qualify for the state soccer tournament. Peterson’s team won on Saturday and then again on Tuesday and Wednesday so they are now playing in the finals for the championship. It was so fun to cheer for his team as they won those qualifying matches.
Thanks to all of you my friends for your encouragement. I will be taking a break from new blogging for a while, though I may send a personal email like this again in June. Dennis and I need to rest, regroup and have extended time to think and listen and hear from God.
The last three and a half years have been really challenging for us. I’ve had multiple long-lasting health problems. We’ve suffered many losses including my mom’s death.
So it’s time for a pause, a retreat as in battle when troops pull back to regroup before moving forward again into the fray.
Over the summer we have several guest posts already lined up for June and July featuring some books I’m recommending. We will be sharing some of the best-of-the-best posts from the last few years. Many of you are new subscribers so these posts will be new to you.
Have a great summer and keep growing in Jesus.
He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
He is the stability of our times.
He is the Alpha and Omega.
He will make all things new.
He is coming again!!!!
Maranatha, Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Amen and Amen.
My Heart, Ever His: Prayers for Women (NEW from Barbara Rainey)
As we search for meaning in our world of shallow online relationships and glamorized selfies, many are returning to traditional and liturgical churches. The repeated words, benedictions, and historic hymns connect us to saints who have gone before, giving us a sense of belonging, richness, and transcendence. Written prayers, once cast off as archaic, are now welcomed as guides to tune our hearts to the heart of God.
In My Heart, Ever His Barbara Rainey shares 40 prayers for women. Readers can read and meditate on one prayer throughout the week or read a prayer a day for 40 days as a way to express the longing of our hearts to our Father who loves us even as he sees who we truly are. Like the psalms of David, these prayers are honest, sometimes raw. Barbara uses these transparent expressions of common female experiences to encourage us to surrender to Christ and help us see God as he is, not as we assume him to be. My Heart, Ever His provides a stepping-stone to help you become more transparent with God and discover his welcoming embrace.
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