Kristina Lunde, Author at Kristina Lunde

October 1, 2017 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Aunt Madelyn – Aging Advice from a Spunky 97 Year Old

Dear Aunt Madelyn,

We enjoyed visiting you last weekend at the rehab facility. I hope that your hip heals quickly and that you will be back to living in your own home soon. Thank you for sharing your spunk and perseverance, because you inspire me.

“What is my purpose?” you asked. That is a question I have wrestled with myself. What is God’s role for us on this earth? At times that is obvious, like taking care of our children or doing the task at hand to help someone. At other times, we struggle to understand the what and why of our existence. I think that sometimes God asks us to be obedient, even though we don’t understand the purpose or outcome.

Thank you for the many ways you gave us joy and meaning during our visit. Do you realize that you are the family historian, as the only living member of your generation? The story you shared about your nephew Craig’s adorable mispronunciation as a young child, which brought nostalgic memories for your nephews Craig and his brother Bruce. That story and the other memories you shared were a precious gift, enabling them to remember their grandparents, parents and childhood.

The recipe information you gave Bruce’s wife Gail answered several questions she had about family and holiday recipes. The details you described were very helpful, and your sharp memory is much appreciated.

“There’s the lady with the beautiful voice!” announced one of the facility’s volunteers who stopped by to see you. She spoke of how she enjoyed hearing you sing at church. Your response was apologetic, saying you had to give up choir at age 90, when your voice wasn’t as good as it used to be. What a talent that you could sing in church choir until 90 – and that you still sing with the congregation.

“I’m ready to go,” you commented. Your peace with God came across in the conversations the five of us shared. You expressed no fear about leaving this earth. Instead, your reliance on God is obvious, and your faith-based outlook is a great role model. The flower baskets and many cards, propped up on every available surface of your room, were evidence of many relationships with people who love you – and probably are not ready to see you go.

Thanks again, Aunt Madelyn, for visiting with us and spending time teaching us. You motivated me to find meaning in the life God gave me, use my talents to serve God, and trust God for His timing on the length of my life.

Happy 98th Birthday next month, dear Aunt Madelyn!

July 31, 2017 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

The Book of Esther: A Plot Review

Esther—a book, a legacy,
Portrays irony in tragedy
As beauty and loyalty
Meet mystery and royalty.

As the tale ensues,
Themes abound in twos.
Starting with Esther the teen
Replacing Vashti as queen.

Joining Esther and Uncle Mordecai
Is Haman, the evil guy
There’s Xerxes the king
Who enjoys his feasting.

While sots hatch their plots
For trickery and treachery,
Averted coups
Become harem news.

With boasts and toasts
As bragging plans a hanging,
Pride and greed
Lead to intrigue.

The gallows foreshadow
A battle that follows.
When good conquers evil,
Self-promotion becomes surprise demotion.

Bad loses to good
While the role of servanthood,
Surpasses earthly laud
And hangs a false god.

Patience and obedience
Conquer vengeance and arrogance.
Servility and humility
Win over disloyalty and idolatry.

No mention of God
Within the entire book,
But His sovereign touch is evident
Just take a look.

[This excerpt is from the upcoming video Bible study series, Bible on the Bluff: Hearing God’s Voice, Ezra–Song of Solomon.]

June 30, 2017 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Mary’s Legacy: A Poured-out Bucket List

A bucket list is described as what you want or need to accomplish before dying. Mary’s bucket list was not about vacations to take, adventures to try, challenges to master, or objects to obtain before she left this world. Mary did not pursue activities, spend money, or purchase things on her own behalf. No, Mary’s was a poured-out bucket list that demonstrated her servant’s heart and other-focused lifestyle.

Mary’s serene spirit, gentle heart, and firm faith did not waver when the cancer attacked. In facing her death, she continued to live as she always had. At Mary’s memorial service, they read Proverbs 31, because Mary was that kind of wife and mother. A comparison was made to Mary of the Bible, Jesus’ mother, who also lived with a gentle spirit in obedience to Jesus Christ. Mary’s eulogy, written by her husband and children, was passionately presented by her sister in law. They described the focus of Mary’s bucket list: her family and friends. Mary’s bucket list was never about Mary.

In her last months of life, Mary coordinated family weekends, activities with friends, and time savored with loved ones. Mary gave them shared memories as treasures to be remembered.

Ever practical, Mary bought her husband t-shirts and socks—many years’ worth. Mary knew that he would need them and she wanted to take care of him.

Mary encouraged her husband and son to go on their long-planned fishing trip, telling them to have fun together. In doing so, Mary assured them that they would continue to enjoy time together after she was gone.

Mary and her husband had previously shopped for a new truck for him but, in the course of cancer and uncertainty in their lives, purchasing a new vehicle was postponed. Shortly before she died, Mary ordered the new truck as a surprise gift for the whole family. They had to carry her out to the truck for her last ride.

Mary served others, brought family together, and enriched lives by what she said, did, and shared in the last days of her life. Mary poured her energy outward and spent time with others—not an inner-focused, self-gratifying bucket list. In her preparation for death, she pursued the same priorities she lived by: giving, serving, and loving others. Mary’s legacy prioritized family and loved ones: she shared her love even as she lived on the edge of death.

May Mary’s legacy inspire all of us to pour ourselves out for others.

April 17, 2017 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Grief Support: A Letter to Grieving Children

[Note: this grief letter was sent to the siblings of a child who died suddenly.]

You do not know me, but I am praying that God will be with you when you get sad and miss your brother. (Those feelings of sadness and loss are called grief.) I wanted to send you some things so that you and your family could write, draw, and remember your brother by making a memory book.

When someone you love dies, you often think of them. I am sure you miss playing with your brother and hearing his voice. My two children were 6 and 8 years old when their daddy, who was my husband, died. One of their favorite parts of the Bible, that helped them feel better, was John 14:1-4:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Those were Jesus’ words to His disciples, or helpers, before He died. Jesus died, but He did not stay dead. He rose, or came alive again, and went to heaven to be with God, His Father. That is the same place—heaven or eternal life—that we will go to if we believe in Jesus, like the Bible tells us in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

When someone dies, we do not see them anymore. But if they know Jesus, we can be sure that they are in heaven. My kids liked to think that their daddy was working with Jesus, building the house in heaven, and getting it ready for when we go to heaven later. Maybe that is a picture you can have in your mind to help you. What would your brother like to do in a big house with Jesus?

Another way to think of heaven is when birds fly south for the winter. We stay here and freeze in the winter, but the birds are alive and enjoying the warm weather somewhere where we cannot see them. That might be another idea of how you can think of your brother: alive with Jesus and having fun, even though you cannot see him.

May God comfort you and help you to understand more about Jesus, even though your family misses your brother so much.

[Note: If you have experienced the death of a loved one, check out GriefShare to sign up for daily emails of comfort and encouragement or to find a local GriefShare group.]

March 31, 2017 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Toddler Tantrums: A Patient Father and a Heavenly Parallel

The weary-eyed parents scanned the checkout area at Walmart, searching for a short cashier line to duck into. Mom led the procession, with a grade-school-aged daughter and a shopping cart. Behind her, the mother pulled a sparkly, powder-blue girl’s bicycle, trimmed with shiny streamers from both handlebar ends. Patient Dad followed behind the girl’s bike with a screaming toddler in the cart. The two-year-old sat slumped in a tantrum with head down, tears flowing, and arms flailing.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Yamaha-Moto-12-Child-s-BMX-Bike/17242520

Next to the boy, and unnoticed by him, sat a toddler-size ride-on toy. It was a tiny BMX bike—an amazing mini-vehicle! Royal blue and white aerodynamic fenders swooped along the bike, accented by fun chrome details. Every toddler’s dream gift, but even that could not distract the boy. Instead, his energy was focused solely on the expression of his fatigue and frustration.

A few minutes later, settled into a cashier line myself, I looked to see the source of new shrieking. Same toddler, but by this time, the family had found a cashier line. Only the father and son were visible beyond the shelves. The boy was on the floor tantruming as he screeched. Obviously the father had removed his son from the cart to allow the boy to flail unobstructed on the open floor. The father’s patient, watchful gaze never left the boy, ensuring his safety without accelerating the tantrum.

I had stopped by Walmart for a few groceries after Awana night at church. As a teacher of 3-5 year old Cubbies, I had dealt with my share of runny noses and tantrums that night. A few preschoolers in our group had those tired-and-crabby, scream-and-throw-yourself-down-on-the-floor type of tantrums. Although my own children had taught me well how to deal with such episodes of acting out (ignore, distract, don’t reinforce), I was still tired after that evening. (And yes, it had been a night of laughter, singing, telling about Jesus, and running around the gym as well, but it was dealing with the tantrums that wore me out.) And so I noticed and admired that patient and tired-looking father.

And then I recognized the parallel: isn’t that just how I act towards my heavenly Father?! Like that father with the beautiful gift in the cart, God has gifts planned for me, gifts that are perhaps even within arm’s reach, but often I tantrum in fatigue and frustration, not trusting my heavenly Father.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Just like that earthly father loved his son through the tantrum, God is the one who knows me, knows what I need, has a plan for me, and knows how to keep me safe from my own selfish episodes of acting out. God patiently waits through my mess and my undeserving actions, ready to love and forgive me.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Lord, help me to realize that you are my loving heavenly Father, the source of all good gifts, and the one who patiently waits for me to come to you in repentance. Please teach me that you are worth giving up my tantrums for, so that I can trust and obey you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.