But ultimately it was God's Word, combined with words written by Jake, that helped her choose life.
Grief and sorrow are important stages, seasons that we must go through. To some extent we will never be fully rid of either—not when we're dealing with the loss of someone we loved. I hear from hundreds of you every week—mostly letters of encouragement and offers of prayer, for which I will forever be grateful. But once in a while you tell me of tragic events in your families or communities. When I hear about a car accident or illness or loss, I always pray. I pray for hope and healing wherever possible.
And I pray for life.
Life is God's gift to us. With every sweet breath, we confirm the fact that God has us here for a reason, that He has a plan for our lives. I truly believe that the more we surrender our lives to Him, the more we trust Him with the days He gives us, the better off we'll be. There is such peaceful freedom, such uninhibited joy, in knowing that God Almighty is the reason we woke up today. If we have tomorrow, it's because He has more for us to do.
In that light, it's almost impossible to spend a day bemoaning our situation, unwilling to rejoice. Grief stays with us, but it need not stay on us. I think of the apostle Paul, chained in a Roman prison, rats nibbling at his knees. What was he doing? Singing … telling the jailors about Jesus … and writing letters to his friends back home, encouraging them to glorify God with their lives.
If you or someone you love is in a difficult situation, I pray this book has given you hope. But I also pray it sends you looking for the purpose God has for your life. Allow the possibility that whatever you're going through, this too shall pass. Not without pain, not without tears, but with possibility and trust in God.
Things are good on the home front. Kelsey is fifteen and in high school and has just finished cheering for the freshmen football team. Tyler, twelve, is being homeschooled so he can have more time for the arts he's so passionate about. He is very involved in Christian Youth Theater and will audition for all three of the musicals this year. Sean, Josh, EJ, and Austin have just completed a wonderful season of soccer. With Christmas behind us, we're settling in for a productive winter/spring season. We still do devotions every morning, and I am thrilled to see each of the kids gradually making decisions for Christ that are motivated by their own love for God, their own choices for life.
If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, I pray this book encourages you to keep on fighting the good fight. If you're not, then this may be the chance in a lifetime, the chance to call on Jesus as your Savior, to get to a Bible-believing church and find out about a relationship with the true God of the universe. Trusting Jesus for life is the very first step to choosing life. Abundant life. John 10:10 says that the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but Jesus has come to give us life, life to the fullest measure.
Don't waste another day with the thief; rather make the choice to spend your life, from this day on, with the Giver of life. One of my favorite sections of Scripture is Hebrews 12, which encourages us to never give up, but to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The race of life. That's what God called Jamie Bryan to do.
It's what He calls each of us to do.
Until next time, I pray God keeps His mighty arms around you, that you feel the presence of His loving touch, His gentle hug, even on the darkest nights. May He bless you and yours and grant you life. Always life.
In His light and love,
Karen Kingsbury
P.S. My website, www.KarenKingsbury.com, has become a big part of my ministry. You can leave a prayer request, pray for other readers with specific needs, and meet prayer partners at the Prayer Ministry link. You can get involved in discussions about my books at the Reader Forum link, and you can see how God is using these books to affect the lives of other readers at the Guest Book link.
You can contact me at the website or at my email address: [email protected]. As always, I love hearing from you and look forward to your letters.
from Remember Tuesday Morning
Dear Friends,
Writing about Alex Brady was an emotional journey for me. In him I saw so many of you who write and tell me about broken relationships or lost loves, strained friendships and hurt feelings between siblings. I can relate, of course, the way anyone breathing can relate.
Sometimes — as with Holly — we can clearly see what happened to turn the person we love away from us. But other times, we aren’t so sure. There have been very good friends in our lives who have turned away, and we may never know the reason they have chosen to no longer love.
But the message of Alex’s life is one we can all draw hope from. Broken relationships can be healed. More than that, it is simply impossible to think we can solve the pain and evil in the world, or even the pain in someone’s life. When I outlined this book, I planned to show how Alex would eventually reach the end of himself in his quest to rid Los Angeles of crime. But then God showed me something I didn’t expect.
One weekend in the middle of writing this book, through a sermon from the book of John by our wonderful Pastor Matt, I realized there was an even deeper truth in Alex’s misguided determination. The fact that God never intended for us to eliminate the evil around us. But rather, through Christ’s strength, to take a hard look at the evil within us. Wow. That message hit hard and became a driving force for the theme behind this story.
I really liked Alex, the way that he wanted so desperately to do good. We’re a lot like him at times, but we all need to remember the Scripture Clay shared with Alex. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads only to death. It’s so important as we choose our way each day that we look to Jesus for wisdom and direction. When we’re driven by emotions — healthy or hurtful — we can easily get distracted from the true work God has for us.
And what about Holly? Her love for Alex was a lot like Christ’s love for us — no matter where we are now or how far we’ve moved from a faith in God, Christ loves us. He knows who we are on the inside — the person He made us to be. Even if we’ve allowed time and tragedy to make us into someone different.
No one and nothing can separate us from the love of God — isn’t that amazing? It’s the same way Holly felt about Alex, and it will leave me with an example I’ll think back on years from now.
I’m sad to see this story end, really. Alex was a special character for me, and so was Holly. In addition, I’ve loved writing about Jamie Bryan Michaels and remembering once more the incredible guy Jake Bryan was. I enjoyed spending time again with Clay, reminding myself of his godly qualities and his great love for Jamie and Sierra and CJ. It was nice to spend more time with Joe and Wanda, and to check in with Eric and Laura since Beyond Tuesday Morning four years ago.
Always, as I finish a book, I spend many hours praying for you — my reader friends. Sometimes God needs to take us to the middle of a towering inferno before we let go of our own ways and grab onto Him for life. But for most of us, we’ll never wind up trapped on a hillside in the middle of a firestorm. Most of us will hear the voice of God calling us back or drawing us closer some other way. Through a conversation with a friend or a sermon on the radio.
Maybe even through Life-Changing Fiction ™.
If during the course of reading this book you, like Alex Brady, found yourself crying out for God to forgive you, for Him to find you again, for the chance to become the person deep inside your heart that once upon a yesterday you used to be … then I pray that you will connect with a Bible-believing church in your area. There, you should be able to find a Bible — if you don’t already have one. That life-saving relationship with Christ is always rooted in His truth, the Scriptures.
If you are unable to purchase a Bible or find one at your local church, and if this is the first time you are walking into that relationship with Jesus, then write to me at my website — www.KarenKingsbury.com. Write the words “New Life” in the subject line, and I will send you a Bible. Because between the covers of that preciou
s book are all the secrets to a new life.
For the rest of you, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Remember Tuesday Morning, how Alex’s story spoke to you, and how it maybe even changed you. Contact me at my website, and while you’re there, take a moment to look at the ways you can get involved with the community of other Karen Kingsbury readers. You can leave a prayer request or pray for someone else, tell me about an active military hero or a fallen one, and send me a picture so that all the world can pray for your soldier. You can also join my club and chat with other readers about your favorite characters and books.
If this is your first time with me, thank you for taking the time to read. My website lists my other titles in their order, as well as by topic — in case you’re looking for a specific type of Life-Changing Fiction ™.
Again, thank you for your prayers for me and my family. We are doing well and trying to keep up with our kids — all of whom are growing way too fast. We feel your prayers on a daily basis, and please know that we pray for you too.
Until next time,
In His light and love,
Karen Kingsbury
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
from Beyond Tuesday Morning
1. Why did Jamie volunteer at St. Paul's?
2. What good did she bring to others by volunteering?
3. What good did God bring about in her because of her volunteering?
4. Why did she feel she was supposed to be interested in Fire Captain Aaron Hisel?
5. What warning signs did she have that this might not be the right relationship for her?
6. What could Jamie have learned from Sierra about moving on with her life?
7. What lessons did Jamie learn from Jake in this season of change?
8. Has God ever clearly set before you the choice of life or death? Explain.
9. What did you choose and how did it work out?
10. Jamie spent most of her earlier years living in fear. How did that tendency creep back into her life in this story?
11. How did Jamie finally get over her fears? What were the steps she took?
12. Has there ever been a time when fear stopped you from doing something you wanted to do? Share it.
13. Were you able to get past that fear at a later time? If so, how?
14. Part of choosing life is having the courage to say the things you need to say—whether it is an admission of love or an apology to a parent or child or sibling or friend. What role did Joe Reynolds play in helping Jamie embrace life?
15. If today was your last day, how would you choose life? How would you embrace it? Make a plan to do some of those things every day to the glory of God.
from Remember Tuesday Morning
Please share these with your book clubs, church groups, friends, and family. Discussion makes the experience of reading so much richer!
1. How would you explain the change in Alex after the terrorist attacks on September 11?
2. Have you ever experienced a tragedy that made you doubt God or feel angry toward God? Explain.
3. Alex’s father wanted him to have a firm understanding of John 16:33 — In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. What do you think Alex’s father wanted him to get from that verse? What might have been his father’s concerns for Alex?
4. How has that Scripture applied in your life? Tell about a time when you might’ve relied on that truth to get you through a certain situation.
5. Explain why Holly was still in LA years after she’d been turned away by Alex. What signs made it clear she hadn’t forgotten him?
6. Was there a time in your life when you were stuck in a certain phase, unable to move forward? Tell about that time and why it left you feeling stuck.
7. What did you learn about ecoterrorists in Remember Tuesday Morning? Share your thoughts on this new criminal phenomenon.
8. Dave Jacobs was a developer, but he was also a bird-watcher and a generous friend to the homeless population in Los Angeles. What did the members of the REA probably think about Dave Jacobs? Why is it important not to view builders, environmentalists, or anyone else only as stereotypes?
9. Jamie wanted desperately to fix the problems in Alex’s heart. What did she finally have to do in order to see that happen?
10. Are there people in your life who you’d love to step in and help? Is God giving you direction on how you can do that? What do you feel He wants you to do? Share the situation, if possible.
11. What did Clay mean when he explained the difference between the evil outside a person, and the evil within?
12. Read John, chapter 16, and discuss what the Bible says about the evil within and without. What is Christ’s plan for his people in regards to this issue?
13. Police dogs exhibit a very great loyalty and sense of courage and protection. Do you know anyone who has worked with a police dog? Tell about their experience.
14. In what ways is our relationship with Jesus like that of Alex’s relationship with Bo?
15. A lot of people were praying for Alex as he traveled this difficult and challenging time in his life. What people’s prayers stood out as making a difference?
16. Who are you praying for right now? What can you focus on so that you’ll be encouraged to continue to pray? Tell about a time when a prayer in your life was answered after someone spent time praying for you.
17. The tragedy of September 11 is more of a distant memory for many Americans. Kids in high school today were in grade school when the terrorist attacks happened. What must we, as a nation, do to never forget the losses experienced that day?
18. The loss of his father will always be difficult for Alex. But as he marries Holly he realizes he will no longer be weighed down by that grief on an hourly basis. Instead he decides to allow himself to feel the pain only every now and then. What situation in your life are you better off visiting only every now and then?
19. Holly’s mother told her that real love takes work, that it didn’t come at a person all at once like a blazing rainbow across an otherwise dreary sky. How do you feel about love?
20. Many different types of love were illustrated in this book. Talk about a few of them and explain what types of love are illustrated in your life.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
from One Tuesday Morning
A book of this magnitude does not come together without an enormous amount of research and assistance. For that reason, there are several people I must thank before getting into the story of One Tuesday Morning.
First, a humble thanks to the firefighters across the nation who courageously do their job on our behalf; and especially to the brave members of the FDNY. I have used a fictitious New York station in this novel, and also a fictitious Engine and Ladder company. But the truth is it could have been any of those in Manhattan and the surrounding areas. A special thanks to FDNY Press Secretary David Billing for helping me with determining fictitious Engine and Ladder companies, and for helping me accurately depict certain FDNY details. Also a heartfelt thanks to firefighter Brian Baum and dozens of others who lent priceless insight and accuracy to this novel. I count you among my heroes and friends.
As in the past, I want to thank Dr. Bryce Cleary for helping me have a true picture of the medical side of what my characters went through in One Tuesday Morning. You are my honorary doctor, and I enjoy giving you cameos in the stories that grow in my heart.
Thanks, also, to my editor at Zondervan—Dave Lambert. I am blessed beyond measure to have the privilege to work with you in this novel. The book it is today is proof that you are gifted in what you do. In that same vein, a thanks to the others at Zondervan, and especially to my amazing cover designer—Kirk DouPonce of Uttley-DouPonce Designworks. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. People judge a book by the cover, and I can only pray the story measures up. You are amazing!
A thank-you to my agent, Greg Johnson. There isn't enough space here to adequately thank you for all you do, Greg. I treasure our
friendship, trust your judgment, and easily leave my career in God's hands and yours. I'm still grateful beyond words for that CBA luncheon when Terri Blackstock told me about you. Nothing has been the same since.
Thanks also to my special friends—the ones who encourage me and pray for me. Sylvia and Walt Walgren, Anne and Ron Hudson, Vicki, Joan, Kathy, Melinda, John, Robyn, Rick, and many, many more. Please keep praying, friends. I need you now more than ever. A special thanks goes to my family as well for understanding the extra hours I put in on this novel. I believe the end result has been well worth it … and I look forward to the time we'll have together in the coming weeks. You guys are the best!
And, of course, a special thanks to my parents and my sister, Tricia, for helping me down the stretch while I edited One Tuesday Morning. I am grateful for your servant hearts in helping me through what would otherwise have been an impossible time.
Finally, a special thanks to God for giving me the story of One Tuesday Morning. When I wrote the last page, there were tears on my face, and I raised my hands upwards. Because a novel like this one could only have come from Him.
from Beyond Tuesday Morning
As always, when I bring my heart's thoughts and dreams to the computer keyboard, it's not without the help of a host of people.
In the writing of Beyond Tuesday Morning, I must first thank the people of St. Paul's Chapel. It is every bit the mighty mission I tried to make it in the fictional story that plays out on the following pages. The volunteers at St. Paul's continue to play a role in a healing that is far from complete. I learned much from my time at St. Paul's, talking to volunteers and studying the mementos and memorabilia there.
While the rest of us watched in horror that terrible Tuesday morning as the Twin Towers collapsed, we eventually got on with our lives. Not so for many of the people in Manhattan—especially for hundreds of firefighters and their families. Because of that, I am grateful to each of you who still devotes his or her time to the healing process at Ground Zero.
Tuesday Morning Collection, The: One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, Remember Tuesday Morning Page 96