Kara Tippetts was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. You
may remember that during her illness she reached out to Brittany Maynard as a
voice against assisted dying. Kara's story involves more than dying; her story
reflects the life and love of family and friends.
Kara and Jill joined forces to write about their difficult
journey. These two young women shared a give and take friendship while Kara
went through cancer treatment and eventually hospice. You might think Jill did
all the giving and Kara all the taking, but that would be wrong. Through their
fresh, new relationship each one learned from the other and depended on each
other, as well as a slew of friends God set in their path.
Just Show Up is the most honest book I've ever read. Both
authors bared their souls and wrote about the hard times, the good days, the
laughter, and the tears. Most of all they shared their journey as a transparent
story for the reader to experience in full. Many of Jill's chapters are
prefaced by the notes she wrote in reaction to Kara's blog posts, but never mailed. As a relatively
new friend of Kara's she shares the insecurity she felt as she plodded her way
through giving. Kara gave excellent and raw insight into what it's like to be
the person receiving the gifts. As I read the book, I witnessed an amazing
faith.
This is not a my friend's sick, let's take a casserole sort
of book. This is an inside look at what it's like to live out the end of life
with a friend and the friend's family. This is a practical guide about when to
call ahead, when to volunteer to watch the kids, and when to send a prayer up
and remain quiet. As I read Just Show Up my heart went out to the women who
circled around Kara and gave of themselves. But at the same time, I saw how these young
mothers were blessed beyond measure because they trusted God and just showed
up. Five star and highly recommended.
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.
Connect with Jill: website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Read more about Just Show Up
I received Just Show Up free in exchange for a fair review.
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.
Connect with Jill: website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Read more about Just Show Up
I received Just Show Up free in exchange for a fair review.