My Thoughts:
Just Show Up is a refreshing, inspiring, and extremely helpful read for dealing with life's most difficult moments. It was written by two dear friends who walked this road together- with God's help. Most of us don't know what to say or do when illness, divorce, death and disappointment strikes friends/family. Averting the eyes, avoidance, quoting cliches are automatic responses, not intentionally hurtful but certainly not helpful. Yes, we want desperately to be a friend- to be a beacon of light. It's not easy but it is SO necessary.
Just Show Up is a celebration of friendship. A sincere effort to guide those of us who are stumbling along not sure what to do when tragedy strikes us or our loved ones. I felt encouraged while reading the honest words of Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn. Their "dance of walking through suffering together" is captured with honesty, love and hope. Each person is different so there's not one secret formula for walking the road of suffering. The main idea is the JUST SHOW UP and be present. I certainly needed help in this area of my life. What a blessing this book is! Here are a few thoughtful ideas:
1) Go grocery shopping. Ask for a list and then place items in a cooler on the front porch.
2) Pack extra lunches for children. If your friend is ill she may not feel up to this task.
3) Attend doctor appointments with your loved one. Take notes.
4) Bring friend's child/children shopping with your child to get school supplies/clothes, etc. It will be fun for both child.
5) Sort mail.
6) Sit with friend while the rest of the family does something outside the house.
The key is to be SPECIFIC in in your offers of help. I can't tell you how many times I've said, "Let me know if you need anything." and have been told the same thing. The sentiment is sweet but we often don't know what truly need in the midst of suffering. Offer one of the ideas above and you'll more than likely be heading down the right path.:)
What does friendship look like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry—and even cancer? Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn teamed up to write Just Show Up, a story of their close friendship and walk through Kara's battle with terminal cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.
Celebrate the gift of friendship with a Tried & True Friendship giveaway—a prize for you and for a friend!
One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 23rd. The winner will be announced October 26th on Jill's blog.
Is one of your friends going through a tough time—maybe you need some encouragement? Stop by Kara and Jill's author page, click on the reviews bar, and read through some bloggers' stories of how their friends got them through suffering.
About the book:
Just Show Up (David C Cook, October 2015)
Kara Tippetts's story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer.
It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara's story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing "God with us" through fierce and beautiful friendship.
In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.
Just Show Up (David C Cook, October 2015)
Kara Tippetts's story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer.
It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara's story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing "God with us" through fierce and beautiful friendship.
In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.
About the authors:
The late Kara Tippetts was the author of "The Hardest Peace" and blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Cancer was only a part of Kara's story. Her real fight was to truly live while facing a crushing reality. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, is parenting their four children and leading the church they founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Read Kara's blog.
Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of "Falling for Texas," an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor's degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.
Read Kara's blog.
Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of "Falling for Texas," an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor's degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.
*I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. No there compensation was given. *
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