Blog - Kristina Lunde

January 1, 2018 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Book Launch of Memoir Sequel

My River of Sorrow: A Widow’s Journey with God is Kristina Lunde’s memoir of true love, sudden death, and authentic faith.

Memorial Stones: Reflections from My River of Sorrow is the sequel that focuses on the rebuild, God’s Word, and a new normal.

What do you do after you have survived tragedy in your life? What can be gained from the lessons learned through challenge and adversity? How do you integrate that experiential growth into life and living as you move onward from grief? In this sequel to her memoir, second-generation, sudden-death widow Kristina Lunde takes you through insights gained, understanding expanded, and challenges overcome as she chronicles her life’s rebuild. Find encouragement and comfort as you follow Lunde’s adjustment from widowhood to a life no longer consumed with grief. Lunde relies on God and finds guidance in His Word as she copes with single parenting, a cross-country move, and mid-life dating on her way to a new normal.

Cover credits:
My River of Sorrow cover image by Sergey Peterman
Memorial Stones cover photo by Pavel Vakhrushev

October 31, 2017 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Oswald Chambers and the Ouch Question

“Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings and it does not affect our trust in Him?”

Oswald Chambers’ question, from his October 23rd devotional in My Utmost for His Highest, is what I term the “ouch question.” An insightful challenge, Chambers’ ouch-inducing question demands a convicting look at the purpose and priorities of my life. My usual prayer format: Thank you God for ——,——, and ——. Please do —— in ——’s life. Amen. In other words, I express gratitude for past and current blessings and then add my requests for more. How selfish and self-centered—as if I am using a formulaic method to get what I want. I echo my mother’s advice to say please and thank you, but in a perfunctory way that does not acknowledge the God of the bigger picture.

The omnipotent God may not bring healing. He may not ease my friend’s suffering. He may not ease someone’s money woes. God may not stop the onset of a bigger challenge than what I see when I request help with the immediate problem. I am so very ignorant of God’s bigger picture and higher purposes.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. Job 1:21b.

Note the juxtaposition as Job acknowledged his God-given gifts and recognized his losses in the same sentence. He then concluded his prayer with a respectful desire to praise and honor the Lord. Anyway. In spite of. No matter what happened. Job did not sin with his lips even after his bitter wife told him to curse God and die (Job 2:9-10). Likely still sitting in the ashes scraping himself to ease the pain and itching of his sores (Job 2:7-8), Job’s words continued to resound with faithfulness to God.

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. Job 19:25

God used Job, in the depths of his suffering, to express a Messianic prophecy. There was no changing of loyalty, no defection, no change in Job’s commitment to God. Yes, some anger and venting expressed straight to God, but no backtracking on his faith. Actually, Job’s resolve to follow God seemed to increase even as his friends accused him. Job remained faithful.

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Job 13:15

The King James version says “yet will I trust in him.” In the midst of his trials, Job obeyed steadfastly and trusted God’s outcome. That is the kind of heart that would answer yes to Oswald Chambers’ question. Job’s heart did not love conditionally based on blessings given. Job exemplified a steadfast, ongoing love that did not depend on current circumstances or diminish in the face of suffering. Such true faith did not waiver in trusting or hoping in God. Instead, Job’s faith rested securely in God.

Lord, Oswald Chambers’ question really hurts. Ouch. Forgive my hesitance and fear in asking, but please grow my faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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.