Remember Tuesday Morning (30 page)

She wrinkled up her nose. “I’m glad I’m not in love.” She stifled a giggle and then leaned her head on Jamie’s shoulder.

CJ was on her other side, but he was too sleepy to notice much about the wedding. Jamie was glad for the chance to really focus on what was being said, because somehow the wedding between Alex and Holly was symbolic. It was a sign that beauty could rise from brokenness as many times as God was allowed to work in their lives. But beyond that, seeing this couple get married brought Jamie that final bit of closure where Jake was concerned.

She had devoted three years to helping victims of September 11, and when she moved here she thought that job was done. But with Alex and Holly, God had given her one more chance to help. Her prayers, the words from Jake’s journal, Clay’s talks with Alex — God had used all of it to bring about a dramatic healing in Alex’s heart. Jamie smiled, and as she did, she was almost certain of something else.

Somewhere in heaven, Jake was smiling too.

A
UTHOR’S
N
OTE

Dear Friends,

Writing about Alex Brady was an emotional journey for me. In him I saw so many of you who write and tell me about broken relationships or lost loves, strained friendships and hurt feelings between siblings. I can relate, of course, the way anyone breathing can relate.

Sometimes — as with Holly — we can clearly see what happened to turn the person we love away from us. But other times, we aren’t so sure. There have been very good friends in our lives who have turned away, and we may never know the reason they have chosen to no longer love.

But the message of Alex’s life is one we can all draw hope from. Broken relationships can be healed. More than that, it is simply impossible to think we can solve the pain and evil in the world, or even the pain in someone’s life. When I outlined this book, I planned to show how Alex would eventually reach the end of himself in his quest to rid Los Angeles of crime. But then God showed me something I didn’t expect.

One weekend in the middle of writing this book, through a sermon from the book of John by our wonderful Pastor Matt, I realized there was an even deeper truth in Alex’s misguided determination. The fact that God never intended for us to eliminate the evil around us. But rather, through Christ’s strength, to take a hard look at the evil within us. Wow. That message hit hard and became a driving force for the theme behind this story.

I really liked Alex, the way that he wanted so desperately to do good. We’re a lot like him at times, but we all need to remember the Scripture Clay shared with Alex.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads only to death
. It’s so important as we choose our way each day that we look to Jesus for wisdom and direction. When we’re driven by emotions — healthy or hurtful — we can easily get distracted from the true work God has for us.

And what about Holly? Her love for Alex was a lot like Christ’s love for us — no matter where we are now or how far we’ve moved from a faith in God, Christ loves us. He knows who we are on the inside — the person He made us to be. Even if we’ve allowed time and tragedy to make us into someone different.

No one and nothing can separate us from the love of God — isn’t that amazing? It’s the same way Holly felt about Alex, and it will leave me with an example I’ll think back on years from now.

I’m sad to see this story end, really. Alex was a special character for me, and so was Holly. In addition, I’ve loved writing about Jamie Bryan Michaels and remembering once more the incredible guy Jake Bryan was. I enjoyed spending time again with Clay, reminding myself of his godly qualities and his great love for Jamie and Sierra and CJ. It was nice to spend more time with Joe and Wanda, and to check in with Eric and Laura since
Beyond Tuesday Morning
four years ago.

Always, as I finish a book, I spend many hours praying for you — my reader friends. Sometimes God needs to take us to the middle of a towering inferno before we let go of our own ways and grab onto Him for life. But for most of us, we’ll never wind up trapped on a hillside in the middle of a firestorm. Most of us will hear the voice of God calling us back or drawing us closer some other way. Through a conversation with a friend or a sermon on the radio.

Maybe even through Life-Changing Fiction
^™
.

If during the course of reading this book you, like Alex Brady, found yourself crying out for God to forgive you, for Him to find you again, for the chance to become the person deep inside your heart that once upon a yesterday you used to be … then I pray that you will connect with a Bible-believing church in your area. There, you should be able to find a Bible — if you don’t already have one. That life-saving relationship with Christ is always rooted in His truth, the Scriptures.

If you are unable to purchase a Bible or find one at your local church, and if this is the first time you are walking into that relationship with Jesus, then write to me at my website —
www.KarenKingsbury.com
. Write the words “New Life” in the subject line, and I will send you a Bible. Because between the covers of that precious book are all the secrets to a new life.

For the rest of you, I’d love to hear your thoughts on
Remember Tuesday Morning
, how Alex’s story spoke to you, and how it maybe even changed you. Contact me at my website, and while you’re there, take a moment to look at the ways you can get involved with the community of other Karen Kingsbury readers. You can leave a prayer request or pray for someone else, tell me about an active military hero or a fallen one, and send me a picture so that all the world can pray for your soldier. You can also join my club and chat with other readers about your favorite characters and books.

If this is your first time with me, thank you for taking the time to read. My website lists my other titles in their order, as well as by topic — in case you’re looking for a specific type of Life-Changing Fiction
^™
.

Again, thank you for your prayers for me and my family. We are doing well and trying to keep up with our kids — all of whom are growing way too fast. We feel your prayers on a daily basis, and please know that we pray for you too.

Until next time,

In His light and love,

Karen Kingsbury

D
ISCUSSION
Q
UESTIONS

Please share these with your book clubs, church groups, friends, and family. Discussion makes the experience of reading so much richer!

1. How would you explain the change in Alex after the terrorist attacks on September 11?

2. Have you ever experienced a tragedy that made you doubt God or feel angry toward God? Explain.

3. Alex’s father wanted him to have a firm understanding of John 16:33 —
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
What do you think Alex’s father wanted him to get from that verse? What might have been his father’s concerns for Alex?

4. How has that Scripture applied in your life? Tell about a time when you might’ve relied on that truth to get you through a certain situation.

5. Explain why Holly was still in LA years after she’d been turned away by Alex. What signs made it clear she hadn’t forgotten him?

6. Was there a time in your life when you were stuck in a certain phase, unable to move forward? Tell about that time and why it left you feeling stuck.

7. What did you learn about ecoterrorists in
Remember Tuesday Morning
? Share your thoughts on this new criminal phenomenon.

8. Dave Jacobs was a developer, but he was also a bird-watcher and a generous friend to the homeless population in Los Angeles. What did the members of the REA probably think about Dave Jacobs? Why is it important not to view builders, environmentalists, or anyone else only as stereotypes?

9. Jamie wanted desperately to fix the problems in Alex’s heart. What did she finally have to do in order to see that happen?

10. Are there people in your life who you’d love to step in and help? Is God giving you direction on how you can do that? What do you feel He wants you to do? Share the situation, if possible.

11. What did Clay mean when he explained the difference between the evil outside a person, and the evil within?

12. Read John, chapter 16, and discuss what the Bible says about the evil within and without. What is Christ’s plan for his people in regards to this issue?

13. Police dogs exhibit a very great loyalty and sense of courage and protection. Do you know anyone who has worked with a police dog? Tell about their experience.

14. In what ways is our relationship with Jesus like that of Alex’s relationship with Bo?

15. A lot of people were praying for Alex as he traveled this difficult and challenging time in his life. What people’s prayers stood out as making a difference?

16. Who are you praying for right now? What can you focus on so that you’ll be encouraged to continue to pray? Tell about a time when a prayer in your life was answered after someone spent time praying for you.

17. The tragedy of September 11 is more of a distant memory for many Americans. Kids in high school today were in grade school when the terrorist attacks happened. What must we, as a nation, do to never forget the losses experienced that day?

18. The loss of his father will always be difficult for Alex. But as he marries Holly he realizes he will no longer be weighed down by that grief on an hourly basis. Instead he decides to allow himself to feel the pain only every now and then. What situation in your life are you better off visiting only every now and then?

19. Holly’s mother told her that real love takes work, that it didn’t come at a person all at once like a blazing rainbow across an otherwise dreary sky. How do you feel about love?

20. Many different types of love were illustrated in this book. Talk about a few of them and explain what types of love are illustrated in your life.

9/11 SERIES

One Tuesday Morning

Karen Kingsbury

The last thing Jake Bryan knew was the roar of the World Trade Center collapsing on top of him and his fellow firefighters. The man in the hospital bed remembers nothing. Not rushing with his teammates up the stairway of the South Tower to help trapped victims. Not being blasted from the building. And not the woman sitting by his bedside who says she is his wife.

Jamie Bryan will do anything to help her beloved husband regain his memory. But that means helping Jake rediscover the one thing Jamie has never shared with him: his deep faith in God.

Beyond Tuesday Morning

Karen Kingsbury

Winner of the Silver
Medallion book Award

Determined to find meaning in her grief three years after the terrorist attacks on New York City, FDNY widow Jamie Bryan pours her life into volunteer work at a small memorial chapel across from where the Twin Towers once stood. There, unsure and feeling somehow guilty, Jamie opens herself to the possibility of love again.

But in the face of a staggering revelation, only the persistence of a tenacious man, the questions from Jamie’s curious young daughter, and the words from her dead husband’s journal can move Jamie beyond one Tuesday morning … toward life.