When I heard about this new book by Kara Tippetts, of Mundane Faithfulness I thought it would be a great read for a number reasons. At some point all of us have to deal with subject of death whether it is ours, or that of someone who we love.

When I picked it up, I figured anyone brave enough to write about what it felt like to be dealing with such a challenging diagnosis so bravely, probably has a lot to say.  

I can still remember the conversation I had with one of my mentors who was in the throws of her own battle with breast cancer.  I remember being speechless when she said to me, “What do you do when you know you are dying?” I didn’t know what to say, and I was shocked at her honestly.  No one knows, unless someone shares their story, and allows you to see into the struggle they face as they walk that experience out.

When you have been diagnosed with cancer so many thoughts run through your mind.  As a mom, there is the question about those who you love, what will happen to them, how will they deal with your diagnosis?  What will happen if this doesn’t turn out the way you want and you have to leave them behind.  How can you support them, what can you do to ease the pain, how can you help them move on and continue after you are gone?  Great questions…to which I don’t have an answer.

Kara, leaves us some clues from her own experience, and her story deserves to be heard.  She grapples with those questions, and many like them as she transparently shares her triumphs, her dreams, and her struggles.

Kara’s book also had a ton of surprises that I wasn’t expecting.  

I thought this book was just about her journey, but it had something for all of us.  Kara is a woman whose life had its fair share of ups and downs even when she was young she dealt with real issues.  Kara is a woman with dreams and aspirations very much like my own. She wanted to raise her family, serve God, be a good wife, and find purpose and meaning in her life, just like you and me.  Then life sent her a one two punch right in the middle of her “plans”.  Now what?

Kara encourage the readers of her book to look at her experiences, and walk away with their own lessons about the lives they were living.
Themes like forgiveness, worries, love, challenges, baggage from our past, and opportunities in every day we probably often overlook were woven into every chapter and page, and solidified in every chapter.

Kara’s book, leaves you thoughtfully questioning your life. What you want from it, and she makes you think about how your past has shaped you and who you have become in ways that you may not of considered. Her gift to all of us is her story. She reminds us that although life is full of both good and bad moments, it is also full of opportunities to grow in the midst of our struggles and disappointments and become better. In this book, Kara teaches us how to grapple with life and death with grace and dignity, as authentically and openly as one woman can, yet she leaves us with lessons all of us can learn.

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Disclosure: I was given this book to review by Propeller Consulting, LLC who is also providing a copy for giveaway.  The opinions  are totally my own.  Please note that there can be only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.