Book Drawing! “Turn the Page–Devotions to Help the Griever Hope” by Karisa Moore

Karisa Moore’s heartfelt devotional offers solace and guidance to those navigating the turbulent waters of grief. Based on her personal journey through the loss of her son, this sixty-day journal is a sanctuary for anyone mourning a loved one. Each day’s entry provides a blend of reflections, questions, and practical activities designed to nurture healing and renew faith. Drawing deeply from Christian principles, Karisa encourages readers to embrace hope and find strength in their journey toward healing.

That’s why I’m very passionate about offering Karisa’s book in a book drawing. She offers wisdom about a very difficult topic with loving, sensitive inspiration.

Continue reading to learn how to enter the book drawing.

Here’s a taste from one of the devotions in her book.

Give Gives a Common Language of Hope to Help Us

by Karisa Moore

Our stories may look different, but interwoven in each, is a choice to grieve with hope. My grief included anger, insomnia, and overwhelming fear of future loss. Yours may include self-doubt, ruminating on all the minute details of what if, guilt, fear, or depression. Grief will look different for each of us, but God gives a common language of hope to help us move forward through grief.

In the intro to each devotion, I look back on grief from the perspective of one who has been grieving for ten years. “Turning My Page” is adapted from my original public journal as I tried to encourage Jonathan’s friends and family by grieving with transparency. Here, you will find my thoughts, experiences, and personal study of scripture during the first days of grief.

You’ll see Isaiah 61 referenced in three different devotions. They are life verses that constantly remind me, suffering and sorrow are not the end of God’s story. May God gift you a core scripture to meditate on (repeatedly bring to mind) when tempted to despair. “Turning Your Page” sections include prompts, questions, suggestions, action steps, and prayers to encourage and spur you toward hope as you process your grief

“…it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20, ESV).

I turned the first page on my son’s death the day after his funeral, declaring to my friends with a whisper that I would not be defeated by grief.

Though my online presence had been minimal, I suddenly found a community of grievers comprised of not only my friends and family but Jonathan’s friends as well. Social media became my platform for journaling out loud as I began to share my grieving-with-hope journey.

My brain, caught in the throes of shock, could not process any new information. God had developed a foundation of prayer, scripture, and friendships eighteen years before the crisis of his illness and suicide. Those habits were crucial in grieving with hope. I could not gain ground in my grief, but I held fast to the truth I already knew about my God. I resolved to stay present, no matter what tears or pain might come.

Turning My Page (my online journal)

My heart hurts beyond belief. I try to read scripture, but my mind fails to absorb it. Lord, a bit of “osmosis” would be good right now. My goals for the day are going to the gym, having at least one laugh, and sharing this page.

Turning Your Page

Maybe scripture reading is difficult today, or all you can do is cry out in your pain. Take the first breath. Hydrate. Be present in your circumstances. Shock is a gift. Loss of this magnitude is too much for your body to process. Let your mind and body have free space to work according to need and capacity.

List one thing that you physically need right now.
What do you know about the character of God?
Find a few encouraging scriptures, either ones you know or some in this book. Dwell on those verses and repeat them out loud. Write them down. Hold fast to what you already know to be true.

Pray with Me:

Lord, I am in shock. May you be enough for me today. Amen. (Playlist: “Held” by Natalie Grant)

Karisa, thank you for sharing your journey with us and making a copy of your book available in the book drawing.

To enter the drawing, make a comment on the blog post. Only USA addresses can win. Drawing ends on Monday evening, September 9th, 2024.

Karisa Moore knows what it’s like to cry out to God with groans words cannot express (Romans 8:26). Losing her son to suicide makes her a passionate resource as an author, blogger, podcaster, photographer, and soul-care speaker. She is expanding our mental health vocabulary to include Christ-centered hope. Karisa embraces life alongside her husband and two living children. She loves long hikes, photography, and great stories.

Links for buying Karisa’s book and connecting with her:

Book Drawing! “Turn the Page–Devotions to Help the Griever Hope” by Karisa Moore