Celebrating life in the midst of the long good-bye

Celebrating life in the midst of the long good-bye

Kara Tippetts’ final book shows readers how to let every moment of life reflect God’s grace

How do you continue to walk in grace and faith when your life turns out differently than how you dreamed? The late Kara Tippetts’ example, as captured in her final book, And It Was Beautiful: Celebrating Life in the Midst of the Long Good-Bye (David C Cook/March 1, 2016/ISBN: 978-0781413527/$14.99), is a beacon for all who find themselves in the throes of the “hard” in life.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, this young wife and mom to four began a journey of learning how to cling to hope even while battling intense physical and emotional pain. She began her blog, Mundane Faithfulness, hoping to bring the truth about suffering to those who struggle. “Some of my most difficult conversations I have had in the midst of my cancer have been with believers who do not see God in a hard plan,” she wrote. “So many believe hard comes and then God makes it better. It is so easy to forget our salvation came by way of the hard of a cross.” Soon, thousands around the world were reading her words, gleaning hope and comfort from Tippetts’ experience and graceful wisdom.

Tippetts touched thousands more after writing The Hardest Peace, which told details of her life story, and Just Show Up, which offered wisdom for managing relationships during tough times. Now, almost a year after her passing in March 2015, And It Was Beautiful brings a collection of Tippetts’ insights, taken mostly from her popular blog. Great care has been taken by David C Cook’s editorial team to present her thoughts with as few changes as possible in order to capture her distinct voice and unique way of arranging words.

Organized into shorter, easily digestible chapters, And It Was Beautiful offers practical reflections on living and dying well, using the strength only God can give for each day. Tippetts’ ideas are hard won, having been wrestled with in the crucible of family, illness and faith, and yet they invite readers to cultivate soft hearts even when facing great disappointment and fear.

While often called brave, Tippetts said the word never seemed to fit. “I’m just trying to live well,” she said. “I don’t hate cancer either. Well, sometimes I do. But before I make it sound as if cancer was my teacher, it wasn’t. It was God in His good and perfect providence to number my days, to count the hairs on my head, to not only plan but join me in my suffering.”

While ultimately answering the question of how one dies in a way that will glorify his or her maker, Tippetts’ final book reminds readers whether they are in the midst of mundane moments or dark days, Jesus is always there, life is surprisingly beautiful . . . and God is forever good.

About the author

Kara Tippetts’ life was dramatically changed in 2012 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She shared honestly the painful journey of walking through suffering and looking for Jesus through her incredibly popular blog, www.mundanefaithfulness.com. She also wrote her life story in the book The Hardest Peace and was the co-author of Just Show Up, along with her friend Jill Buteyn.

In September of 2013 her diagnosis changed, as more cancer was found in her reproductive system and brain. She lived for the grace of time, time with her loved ones, and sharing her story of living life in grace. She passed away in March 2015.

She was the wife of one excellent man, Jason, and the mother of four amazing children. Since her death, Jason has been parenting their children and leading the church the couple founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Learn more about more about And It Was Beautiful and Kara Tippetts at www.mundanefaithfulness.com, or follow the blog on Facebook (mundanefaithfulness) or Twitter (@mother_to_many).