Married to the most wonderful man on earth, Robert Rinehart. Mommy of two, Claire Elise Rinehart, Dustene Aliyah Rinehart. Claire is in heaven but Dustene is with us.Worship Leader for Wild Fire Ministries.
Mommy blog : www.musingsofanewmom.tumblr.com
I love Jesus, God and Holy Spirit! I make an effort to speak life. I love to sing, craft, sew, design, write, take photographs, plan parties, and be with my husband and baby.
Hannah Rinehart
Hey there, I’m just gonna open this up and be a little blunt here.
High school single girls, please stop whining that you have no man when you are 14, 15, 16 etc. Lots of beautiful women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s have no men in their life either. This fact does not mean that you (or they) will be forever alone.
Hang in there! True love waits for the right one, he is worth waiting for and so are you, no matter how long it takes. All the roller coaster excitement and romance in the world is still out there. When the right one comes along, at the right time, he will knock your socks off! In the meantime… Enjoy your singleness!
I know, I know, you say, “that’s easy to say when you’re married” right? Well, yes, but think about it this way. When I was in highschool, I would travel to South Africa every summer and spend a few months there doing mission work. I always missed my family and a few things like Starbucks and Mexican food. Then I lived in Africa for a year after I graduated and missed out on some important events like my sister’s wedding showers, friend’s graduations, baby showers, you name it. But when I was in America I would be missing everything about South Africa. I had to learn to be content at the time and place I was in every area of my life. Was it hard? Absolutely! But it is possible with Jesus!!
When I was single, (which was all 20 years of my life until my husband and I began dating) I longed for those valentines, the prom dates that seemed so detrimental, and the kiss at midnight on new years. Not to mention just having a boyfriend in general. I thought, “no one will ever find me attractive, I’m awkward, I’ll never find love and I’ll be forever alone.” It felt like I was missing out on the life so many of my friends had. Like I was missing out on something I had to have. It took years to finally become content with my singleness. But I found that in the times I felt the most alone, that’s when God came through for me, comforted me and most of the time a beautiful creation blossomed out of my spirit in the form of a poem, song, or even a painting. (though I don’t think I have much of that artwork around anywhere, yikes I can’t draw a stick figure to save my life! Maybe they would make good memes. Lol!) my point is, being with someone isn’t everything, I miss the freedom of singleness from time to time.
If I was single, who knows, I might be in a band, have a cat and be skinnier, (haha, because being married makes you eat more! You always want to eat when they eat and both of you gain a little weight.) But if I was single I wouldn’t have my dearest friend to hug and kiss goodnight, nor would I have the tiny 5 month old bundle of joy snuggled next to me right now. (her name is Dustene and she’s amazing!)
As a wife and new mom, I rarely find time to even open my guitar case, and my husband is always trying to find a quiet place to read. We both need our alone time and it was the most frustrating thing we had to learn being together. Because the desire for me to songwrite or for him to read, never came at the same time.
When you are single, your time is all your own! You can do whatever you want. Write a book! Paint! Photograph things! Go on adventures! Trust me, especially if you are the type who needs to be alone to read or write songs.
Enjoy the sweet voice and presence of Holy Spirit with no other distractions. In those secret places you can find the most intimate things about God and truly let Him become your best friend.
In all times, and all seasons, and in all walks of life, give thanks for where you are.
And lastly, if you aren’t 1000 % sure you are going to marry the guy you want to be with, then even if you do begin a relationship with him, one of you will end up heart broken. If you have ever had your heart broken or seen it happen to someone else, then why on earth would you ever want to put yourself or worse the one you “love so much” through that kind if pain?
Anyway, just some thoughts on singleness, be encouraged my sisters, there is much in store for you!
- Hannah
Ps, my ask box is always open and anon is currently on, if you need advice, prayer, council or have a question or just need a friend, I’m here for you!
http://hannahrinehart.tumblr.com/ask
I’ve seen this going around on Facebook a lot the last week and I have to say, I disagree. God is a teacher yes but He’s also Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Guide, the Helper. When I think of testing, I get a picture of cramming in facts for a grade. The teacher, although he or she may be kind hearted is at the front of room. During the test, they are unapproachable, unreachable, stern and unfriendly. The tests that the Lord gives are much different. They are always open book, you may raise your hand for help, ask a neighbor for help, group study, take as long as you need, and redo the test as many times as you need until the Teacher sees that you have finally reached the intended goal. There is no such thing as failing because He sees His perfect reflection when He looks at you. When He gives tests it’s more of a one-on-one time with the most amazing tutor of all time. The one who made you, understands you, accepts you, the one who never fails. He is always with you. Always approachable, always reachable, available day and night for help.
Count it ALL joy my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials (tests) for the testing of your faith (ability to rest, give up, let go, knowing you are unable to do it without Him but you DO have Him so you can do anything in resting) develops perseverance. - James 1:2-3
Shirt stained and hair a mess
She is a mom at her best
The floor’s unmopped
The bed’s unmade
But for hours there she laid
Gazing into her baby’s eyes
Thinking of the future as she tries
To hold back the tears of what shall be
The husband must leave too suddenly
To work and provide for the ones he loves
Thankful for grace and the ever present Dove
She holds her daughter’s tiny hand as the two of them drift off to sleep
It’s only temporary but he’ll be gone mon-fri for several weeks in a row!
There are no words.
Edit:
Prayers are appreciated. And Skype dates are welcome as I don’t see myself sleeping too well over the next month or so. Especially you lovely Aussies who are awake during those times.
