The Best Kind of Friend… [and God’s Purpose in Suffering.]
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The Best Kind of Friend… [and God’s Purpose in Suffering.]

The best kind of friend is a praying friend. It’s no secret 2024 has been a hard year for the Rains’ household. Little by little, I’ve pulled back the curtains in this season of life and let friends in…  I might’ve overshared a time or two. But the reality is when we share our “stuff,”…

Trusting God’s Goodness [in the Darkness]
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Trusting God’s Goodness [in the Darkness]

If We’re Being Honest Neither the church nor our broken world needs more SHINY PEOPLE who hide behind the veneer of an audible “fine.” The world needs more Christians willing to process and wrestle publicly. Because when we are honest about the world’s brokenness and our struggles within it, we underscore the futility of our…

Lessons in Becoming [how to become all that God created us to be]…
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Lessons in Becoming [how to become all that God created us to be]…

You would never know by looking, but this young woman [circa ‘97] is “in between” life seasons. And in less than two years, she will land in Nashville to carve a life. A dream she didn’t know “to dream” for herself as a young girl. But a life, God was calling her to—nonetheless.  As we…

What is My Calling [or Purpose] in This Life?
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What is My Calling [or Purpose] in This Life?

Calling was central in my life as a young adult. I instinctively understood what “was” and “wasn’t” my calling. As strange as it may sound, I distinctly felt “called” to be a Christian in a secular industry. Turns out, the life God was calling me into, eventually, led me to Nashville. A life, no doubt,…

Divine Appointments… [Godwinks, Coincidences, and Heavenly Happenstance]

Divine Appointments… [Godwinks, Coincidences, and Heavenly Happenstance]

Without my prior knowledge and on more than one occasion, God has recently filled my calendar with divine appointments. Equal parts coming alongside others as they journey, but also being “loved on” in ways my tender heart needed.  When visiting Nash-town last week, each family member had their “must-do” list of places to visit and things…