The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

by Sara Brunsvold

But not my will, Lord, she prayed.

A pained body with a broken spirit tends to recoil when the hand of grace first finds its wounds.

Lord, help me feel your presence here. This breath I have is fading, but it still comes from you, still for your purposes. Despite what my body does or refuses to do, embolden this spirit of mine to stand on in this battle. Empower these weak arms to hold fast to the shield of faith. Like a mighty warrior for your glory, God.

We don’t stay long in each other’s lives—that’s the crux of our humanness. You have to be the friend people need while they are there with you, because it’s the only chance you’ll get.”

“Authentic love is the greatest joy there is, Miss Kelley, but it requires a thousand little deaths to self.”

The price of loving never got easier to bear.

“‘I always let the LORD guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.’”