Tuesday Grace Letters - A letter to Kara

Last year (the last time I blogged...*gulp*), I participated in a blog link-up with another blogger, Kara at Mundane Faithfulness.  We called those posts "Tuesday Grace Letters", and we wrote to ourselves, our loved ones...it varied week by week.  Over the past year, Kara's story has received much attention.  She is a wife and mom from Colorado who has been battling cancer.  Earlier this year, it was discovered that treatment was no longer working.  Kara entered into Hospice care and has blogged quite honestly and beautifully about "the long goodbye" she is living out. 
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