Doing It Myself

Doing It Myself

This book was the first thing I wrote after Just Show Up, and man, oh, man, did I struggle. There was a period after Just Show Up and all of the interviews for that book that I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to write again. Like maybe something was broken in me. I wasn’t sure what to do next. And eventually, I started writing this story. I sent it in a proposal, but it came back needing major changes. It was like this book wanted to chew me up and spit me out.

Kara’s Collection: The Short List

Kara’s Collection: The Short List

rom an article originally posted November 10, 2014…

I have a short list of friends, these are the friends I feel I never for one second deserved. Friends that are so utterly given to grace and love I cannot feel anything but blessed by their love and friendship. If I’m honest my list isn’t actually all that short. It’s this long, endless list of people that choose grace, meet and extend love to others, and live from a place of tenderness. I am humbled to know so many. God must know my weak faith and constant need of reminding. God is gathering more and more of these people to my heart daily. These lovers of truth point me towards hope, remind me of goodness, and remember we all need to laugh. Yesterday I received two poems. One was written by my friend John, and another came from Emily Dickinson. Both,  well, you’ll see. Both reminded me of goodness.

Good Friday Girl

Good Friday Girl

The lamenting of Lent feels like it has stretched past Easter for me this year. I spent a large part of Easter in tears, praying for my friend who miscarried another precious baby this past year, my friend whose brother gave his life in courageous service to our country just weeks ago, and my friend who delivered her beautiful stillborn daughter and cradled her perfect little body to say goodbye just days before. And I processed more of my own grief over my beloved Marmee, imagining her spending Easter with Jesus and Kara and Grandpa and my Mamma, her daughter. As time passes since Marmee’s death 9 months ago, I’m learning more about lamenting—grieving with hope—and it’s freed me to explore our relationship.

But show up we must...God never gets the address wrong

But show up we must...God never gets the address wrong

Oh, friends--I had to share this video with you! Rosaria Butterfield has written the most beautiful book on hospitality (The Gospel Comes with a House Key); I'm in the middle of it, and will be sharing some thoughts once I'm done; I'm so excited that when her publisher posted this clip on their website, I couldn't resist sharing it here! Be blessed!

Kara’s Collection: Coffee hope—a reminder

Kara’s Collection: Coffee hope—a reminder

from an article originally posted November 9, 2014…

Each day is a battle to see, a struggle to learn, a fight against the lies of hopelessness. Each day I wake, I remember my story, then I want to go back to sleep. But through each day, I see so much truth, hope, life, joy that I simply cannot check out of living and fighting for my moments. I enjoy the giggles of my littles, the pleadings for a sleepover, a new toy, a favorite dinner and I’m reminded of the giant little moments in each day. The kids each enter the room with their questions: Mama, did you see this Lego; Daddy what clothes should I wear for today’s weather? Lil bit just slides in next to my warmth until hunger carries her downstairs where Nanny Mickey will capture her with toast. Slowly, I will drink my coffee and read my Bible, and find the strength to get moving beyond my despair. Some days I begin the day faking it for the benefit of my children, and some days I move from my bed with genuine strength and hope for the day. Each day has some mercy to make the moving possible.