Mondays with Muir

"The death of flowers in this garden is only change from one form

of beauty to another." John Muir

On Mondays with Muir, I choose a meaningful quote of his to simply share, or sometimes to expand upon. I chose this one to honor the life of Kara Tippetts. This bold, courageous, young woman spoke, lived, and wrote the message of grace so well, always pointing us to Jesus as her source for strength and comfort. Kara was an amazing flower in this garden of earthbound believers, but now her beautiful soul has "passed into glory", as her husband informed the world yesterday. Our earthly garden is without her, but her spirit is alive and shining brightly in her eternal, heavenly home. I join the company of tens of thousands of people who have been greatly touched and inspired by her honesty, gentleness, and bold sharing of faith. Through the hearts of each of us that she touched, and those that will learn of her in the future, her message of expecting grace in pain, choosing brokenness over bitterness, and turning to Jesus as the one true source of peace, will live on.

In November of 2014, I had Kara sign my copy of her book, The Hardest Peace. I’m not typically one for autographs, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to say “hello” while she was back in Indiana. She was visiting the church where we both, 8 years apart, came to know Jesus. We shared one class together in high school, 20 years ago, and I was so pleasantly surprised that she remembered me. She was the real deal, exhausted in that moment, yet so kind and gracious. I wanted to share with you the way she was signing the books, because this must have been an important message to her.

“Your Love Matters”