Like many of you, I have been completely drawn in by her story. I have cried reading her posts and prayed for her and her family. Today I wanted to write another Tuesday Grace Letter...this one, to Kara.
Dear Kara,
I have started and re-started this letter at least half a
dozen times already. It feels a little
unnatural to be writing this. I’m not
one of your ‘people’…those closest to you who truly know you, who have walked
beside you throughout this journey and helped carry you to where you are today. I’m only a wife and mom in Michigan who heard
your story a couple of years ago from my sister-in-law, Leigh, your sweet girl’s
teacher. The day she shared your blog
with me, I stayed up late into the night reading your posts, totally taken by
your honesty and openness.
You have challenged me to allow God’s grace and mercy to fill
in my rough spaces and then be shown to those around me. It’s not easy. It’s hard to move toward difficult people and
circumstances in love and grace. It’s
hard to take the deep breath and count to ten before responding with a sharp
answer. It’s hard to enter into the
suffering of another when we risk being hurt ourselves.
I know that the desire of your heart in all of this is that
we would be pointed to Jesus, not Kara. I
see Him in you. I see the way His love
has helped you to love your people well.
I see the way His grace and faithfulness have carried you through this
journey. I see the hearts He’s changed
through your obedience and faith…mine is one of them.
It has been a privilege to pray for you, Jason, and your family…to
pray for your community, those faithful friends who have taught me how to love
another in their suffering. Every single
one has used their unique gifts and abilities, working together as the Body was
designed. It’s been beautiful to
witness.
You are loved, Kara. Thank
you…just thank you.
-Amanda