Myrt Baker: You touched on so many life experiences that we all feel; sometimes you made me laugh and sometimes you made me cry!
Cecile Weems: I really admire you for being so open with your feelings and for the courage to publish feelings that most people never verbalize.
Marty Woodward: I have enjoyed your book. I know that I will use it for my devotions in the Women’s Association at church and tell them about you.
Donald Rigg: On page 63 of your book (Volume 1) your purpose is stated: “to bring encouragement and the hope of faith to others.” I think you have achieved this purpose admirably. Without doubt, your message will bring comfort, hope, and inspiration to readers. Many will be prone to refer to it for solace in times of need and despair as they read through it, words reflecting such concepts as compassion, insight, understanding, deep faith, trust, and conviction will be invoked. You are to be congratulated for developing a missive which has such an aura of goodness, trust, and restoration.
Don Baker: Dear Barbara, Thank you for giving us a copy of your book. I have just been reading some of your prayers and realize that what I have really been doing is getting acquainted with you. The fact that your prayers are so deeply personal is what I find most compelling. Most Christian books speak only of the way we ought to be and not of the struggle of becoming. It takes courage to present to the world a self-portrait with flaws. We usually like to show ourselves as perfected. The problem is that we begin to think all the other Christians have already arrived and I’m the only one who’s struggling. Thanks for letting me know that I’m not the only one.
Lucy: Just the right words – so many heartfelt compliments come to mind as I read your beautiful words – Matthew 5:16. Truly you have glorified our God as you have allowed your light to shine through prose. So many of us never have the courage to pursue such a personal goal, but you did! Praise God! You write with simple insight sharing your faith so clearly. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire you.
Jo: All the poems touch my heart and some bring tears to my eyes or a lump in my throat.
Darla: What a beautiful book! I am very proud of my friend, the published author. “The Tablecloth” and “Thrifting” brought back many pleasant memories. Thank you so much for the gift of it.
Pat Stark: Your book is gorgeous! I am so thrilled for you and feel so privileged to have seen it “a-birthing” so to speak. I pick it up often, when a few snatched moments allow a quick reading of whichever page I chance upon. It is also perfect for a quiet, leisurely perusing, but that is all too rare. It renews my own love for writing. How delicious it would be to see my own work in just such a book as yours – crystal clear, pure, eloquent and elegant!
Cheryl: Because You Listen Lord… puts every day, every struggle, every praise into perspective. It’s definitely all about You, Lord, and that’s because You do listen to your children’s requests, whines, stammerings, and thanksgivings. Barbara Heerema is so honest in her writing. The shortcomings she reveals about herself, the way she laughs at herself, the way that she shares God as her very personal friend, makes me want to strive for that same relationship with our Creator and Savior.
Elizabeth Sherrill, Roving Editor, Guideposts Magazine: Barbara Heerema writes from the stuff of real life, the joyful and the painful, the victories and the losses… as a wife, a parent, a daughter, a grandmother. Above all, she writes as a woman struggling for deeper faith in the perplexities of daily life. Written with economy and a wonderful ear for words, a book to help the reader be more real with God.
Elaine Javitz: The poem Self could be a hymn… Pot Lid is a daily prayer… A very good piece of work
Gladys Hart: It’s amazing how you can put my feelings down on paper. Your work is encouraging. It reads so well.
Pat Johnson: I absolutely love this… It reads so well… is thought provoking. I found a lot of hope in your work. I have given many [of your books] as gifts, for all occasions.
Norma H: These treasures are clever, covering many needs in our lives; beautifully, thoughtfully, prayerfully written.
Carol S: I love all your poems. There are very personal thoughts that touch me deeply.
Donnely: Your work is too worthy for my humble appraisal, but not for my appreciation.
Eleanor Thomas: It (BYLL) is a very encouraging and uplifting book which, I believe, will also be an inspiration to those who read it as it was to me.
Frankie: Thank you for my gift. I would say I love it, but love is for animated things. I do like it very much. I don’t know how to pray but by reading your book every morning I am learning.
Anna Holbrook: Dear Friend, Thank you so much for sending your lovely poetry book. They are truly beautiful expressions to the Lord of your prayer thoughts. What a gift He has given you with words – but also sensitivity and a practical, realistic sense of the Lord’s presence and concern with our everyday concerns. I was blessed. Thank you so much.
Beth E Marcus: I do want to express sincere thanks for the book. I agree with Timothy Mooney – it is unique and refreshing. I know I shall use it often both in private devotions and as I share in prayer with others. What a blessing you have shared!
