reviewsbyerin

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Tammy L!

"I'm so weary of my own story I could run away." Just reading those words makes me feel like crying. I have certainly felt that way at times, and I know many others who have, as well. Does anyone's life story play out the way they expect? Sometimes in the pain and uncertainty the ability to run away, even temporarily, would be most welcome. But this isn't a book about running away. It's a book about looking at life's difficulties and knowing: "...If God has called me to this hard story, His promise is one of sufficient grace."

Author Kara Tippetts is a young mother and pastor's wife who is living with the crushing reality of aggressive, metastasized cancer. Unless God radically intervenes, she is not long for this earth. With a heart broken for her husband and her four small children, Kara writes about her life's journey and how Jesus has met her at every turn, even in this stage, when it looks as though she will lose every hope and dream she had for this life. How can one have peace in such circumstances? Only by embracing God's grace and the belief that He is good and in control. "Grace is the sweet moment you never expect but turns up to get you through a day, an appointment, a reality you never, ever dreamed for yourself."

This is a timely message for a world who spends so much time on Facebook and Pinterest, looking at happy, shiny people and things. Those pictures do not reflect everyday reality. Walking in God's grace means you embrace truly living the life God has given you, and don't let yourself fall for the performance trap. It means living with humility and intentionality because God has you here for a reason. It means looking for what is truly beautiful and not just pretty. It means living faithfully in a world that barely even knows what that means anymore. "Tomorrow we get to wake up and be faithful. Whatever each step brings, and whatever comes, people will always disappoint us. But tomorrow, tomorrow we get to be faithful in that moment."

This isn't a book just for those who are fighting cancer. This is for anyone who knows what it is like to have broken dreams, unfulfilled desires, or suffering due to difficult circumstances. "...Suffering... is the gift you never wanted, the gift wrapped in confusion and brokenness and heartbreak."

Everyone faces twists and turns in their lives. Beauty comes when we are able to let God work out His purposes instead of clinging stubbornly to what we want. God is the redeemer of all things, and our pain does not have to devastate us if it drives us closer to Him. He is working. He is a good God. He is with you. "Your story is a good story. In the grief, pain, and hard, the Author has a plan. It may feel like a desperate breaking of your very heart, but suffering is not the absence of God or good."

For a chance to win a copy of "The Hardest Peace," please leave a comment right here on this post with a way for me to contact you should you win. Comments will be open until Saturday, Oct. 18. You can also enter the prize pack giveaway at the link below.

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

Kara Tippetts' brave and touching book, The Hardest Peace is launching with a blogger challenge. Celebrate with Kara by joining the #HardestPeace conversation and share how you are finding grace in the midst of the everyday and in life's hard moments.

Share your stories of everyday grace in the midst of life’s difficulties and enter to win a #HardestPeace prize pack:

A book club pack (10 copies of The Hardest Peace for you and your small group!)

A handcrafted candle

Journal

Custom Etsy The Hardest Peace print and coffee mug

To enter to win, simply blog about your #HardestPeace story and then submit the link to your post via the link-up (or see link in the Rafflecopter below). Plus stop by others’ stories to leave encouragement and offer prayers as we all travel the journey of life together and discover that the hardest peace is often the most fulfilling peace.
Then follow Kara online (via the Rafflcopter) for additional entries into the giveaway.

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