Blog - Kristina Lunde

June 27, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Father’s Day: From Grief to Thanks

During our Father’s Day sermon, Pastor A challenged us to bless our Heavenly Father as well as our earthly father. Pastor took us through the long list of God’s benefits, love, and blessings recorded in Psalm 103. In verses 2-4, the psalmist credits God with forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, and compassion. The verses that follow further describe what God does for us: renewal, righteousness, justice, and undeserved forgiveness (v. 5-12). One aspect of God’s character that resonated with me was His fatherly compassion and love, described in Psalm 103:13-18. I have often experienced that fatherly compassion as God helped me wade through grief in my life. And this Father’s Day, after reflecting on my grief, I changed my focus to thanking my Heavenly Father.

When I was eleven, my father died in a plane crash. Except for that Father’s Day days after his death, my mother never let us stay home from a church service. From then on, I disliked any sermons that talked about fathers. I hated any reminder that my Dad had died—my adventurous loving father who adored my siblings and me. In my teen years, when I heard things about fathers, I could not relate. My family included Mom and the three of us siblings; that was all. I avoided dredging up memories of my Dad, because remembering felt painful. Instead, I lived in the moment, and Jesus helped me move forward past grief.

Thirty-plus years later, I faced my biggest fear when tragedy happened again. Lee, the love of my life and husband of eighteen years, died suddenly of a heart attack. I became a widow and only parent to our children, who were six and eight years old at the time. For many years, I kept my kids home from Father’s Day services to avoid hearing about the importance of fathers. We grieved that reality daily as we missed and reminisced about their wonderful Daddy.

I haven’t boycotted services or had a Father’s Day pity party related to grief for over a decade. God helped me process my grief and gave me opportunities to share His comfort in my writing and speaking. My life is very different now. But when Pastor A presented God’s actions and character in Psalm 103 as reasons to bless God, I felt convicted. I remembered past pity parties on Father’s Day. The Holy Spirit convicted me of those times I had focused on my loss and not on my Savior.

As Pastor A spoke, I realized that God deserves ongoing praise for how He forgave, redeemed, and restored me. How could I spend Father’s Day ignoring what my Heavenly Father had done for me? God’s comfort and provision had carried me through the challenges of widowhood and only-parenting. Jesus had walked me through the valley of the shadow of death, when I didn’t think I would survive grief. I had often spent Father’s Day ruminating on what I had lost instead of being thankful for my Heavenly Father.

Lord God, forgive me for those Father’s Days when I wallowed in my sorrow. Please forgive my selfish perspective and the times I didn’t honor you. Thank you for lifting my head above the grief and showing me how to rely on you. Lord God, you are my one and only Heavenly Father. If you had not sacrificed your only son Jesus, I would not be your child. Thank you that you love and forgive me when I don’t deserve it. Heavenly Father, make my future Father’s Days times of giving thanks for your help, healing, and forgiveness. Help me to praise and honor you—on Father’s Day and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

May 22, 2025 by Kristina Lunde 1 Comment

Book Launch: Henry the Heron Teaches Me About Grief

In Henry the Heron Teaches Me About Grief, a heron’s migration provides an engaging metaphor for grieving children. Geared to four through eight year-olds, this book centers on a biblical perspective of eternal life with Jesus (John 3:16). Lively watercolors depict sweeping landscapes and flying herons as a boy processes his grief.

Storyline

Expressed in rhyming verse, this first-person narrative follows a young boy as he befriends a heron in his new neighborhood. The boy creates an imaginary friendship with the heron and learns about migration. After the death of his grandmother, the boy experiences grief and discovers a comforting metaphor in Henry the heron’s migration.

Abigail Porter’s illustrations of a child’s grief experience echo the poignant emotions expressed in Kristina Lunde’s rhymes. Written for children, and the adults who help them process grief, this picture book presents concepts of death and heaven from a Bible-based perspective. As the boy begins to understand his grief, he compares and contrasts death with the migration of a heron.

Grief Support

The pacing of the book’s content offers discussion opportunities geared to the child’s level of understanding and interest. Beyond serious depictions of grief, whimsical illustrations and the boy’s imagination offer many ideas for lighthearted conversations. For example, a child not yet ready to discuss grief might focus on the humorous heron illustrations.

When working with grieving children, experts suggest being open to discuss grief concepts whenever children are ready. In this book, the story line and varied illustrations present many topics, ranging from silly to serious. Children may want to discuss grief or a cheerful topic like the boy’s imagination—or both. Henry the Heron Teaches Me About Grief is a picture book designed to introduce grieving children to God’s comfort.

April 23, 2025 by Kristina Lunde 2 Comments

Children Pray in Worship to God

One of my favorite volunteer activities is helping with childcare for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) leadership meetings. Last week, three adults watched two babies (four and eight months-old) and ten kids, ages three to seven. Besides encouraging the children’s imagination with lots of free play, we enjoyed song time and a short Bible story. (The Father Abraham song I have known for over fifty years still gets everyone moving and laughing!) We don’t have crafts or long periods of focused time, because that comes afterward in their 1½ hour BSF classes. Of course, we also had snack time, with kids sitting in small chairs at a low table.

As they crunched on bright orange kid crackers, I suddenly realized that we hadn’t prayed. I apologized that I had forgotten to thank God for our snack. Then I asked the kids to pray. Without further prompting, they dropped their beloved crackers and folded their hands. Three of them immediately volunteered to pray. I asked four-and-a half-year-old K to start, and he prayed seriously and in detail. K thanked God for the day, for being able to play at BSF, and for the crackers.

Then I asked four-year-old S to pray. S kept his head down and his voice soft. We only understood a few words (thank you, God, snack), but his prayer was obviously sincere. I nodded when four-year-old T asked to pray next. Hands covered with bright-colored marks from her previous day’s artwork, T folded them tightly and bowed her head. Like the other two prayers, T’s expression of gratitude to God soared in humble trust.

These precious kids literally dropped everything to spend time with God. I felt like they were leading me in worship as they thanked God for everything. And I mean everything: all three of them listed what they ate, did, and aspects of their play. Their prayers convicted me of my forgetfulness and casual attitude about prayer. They showed me that thanking God for a few crackers can be a powerful act of worship.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15

Lord Jesus, please bless these precious children whose hearts are full of gratitude and love for you. Keep their faith and trust firmly rooted in Jesus, as you grow and guide them throughout their lives. Like their honest gratitude for crackers and playtime, help me to come before you in wonder for all your blessings. Teach me to pray in worship and honor of you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

March 30, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Writing a Children’s Book on Death and Grief

A children’s book about grief. That’s what I wanted for my six and eight year-old children when their father—my husband—died twenty years ago. How could I explain the absence of their father and the permanence of his death? Living that grievous reality, how could I emphasize the truth of Jesus Christ and our hope of heaven? I talked about these concepts with my children and we read different books, especially the Bible. But heaven seemed a long way off after our beloved Daddy suddenly disappeared from everyday life.

My soon-to-be-released book, Henry the Heron Teaches me About Grief, presents truths about death, grief, and faith in Jesus. I wrote this picture book for grieving children—and for the adults who love them. The book relays the story through Abigail Porter’s heartwarming illustrations. Whimsical visual details provide ideas for conversation starters. The illustrations offer opportunities to either lighten the topic or discuss it further, when the child is ready.

Dying is not a fun or easy topic for a children’s book. Even with playful illustrations, a book on death can be challenging to present at a child’s level. The facts about death need to be presented in straightforward language appropriate for the child’s level of development. The finality of death is difficult for children to understand. Children, and likewise adults, need time to recognize and mourn the absence of their deceased loved one.

Biblical truths can help children better understand life and death. God’s Word presents the most important truth about life: salvation is found in Jesus alone (Romans 10:9). With that foundation, children can accept God’s promise of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus (John 3:16). Eternal life is the outcome of knowing the one true God and believing in His son Jesus Christ (John 17:3). The earthly physical death we all face as humans is a tough reality check, even for adults. As believers in Christ, we hold onto the certainty of eternal life after our earthly death (1 John 5:11-12).

A children’s book that addresses death needs to address grief, the feelings that come after a loved one dies. In processing grief, both children and adults may experience a variety of emotions. Children may describe it as actual pain. Crying, feeling bad, and wondering how long grief lasts are common aspects of grief. Funerals, mourning rituals, and conversations provide opportunities to honor and remember the deceased loved one. When and if children are ready, involve them in these activities to help them process their grief. Adults can role-model how reminiscing about a loved one can be both sad and comforting.

Although I did find some good children’s grief books, I finally wrote the book that I would have wanted. My idea started when I saw a great blue heron along the upper headwaters of the Mississippi River. I enjoyed seeing him in our area all summer long. In fall, I realized that the heron had migrated.

After much thought, I wrote a story that centers on this metaphor from God’s creation. Together, the heron’s migration and his inevitable return parallel how believers in Christ will see each other in heaven. The certainty of God’s created order demonstrates this concept of reunion. My story shows a boy’s progress through grief as he recognizes truths about death in God’s creation. I pray that God uses this book to comfort grieving children—and the adults who love them.

February 27, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

God’s Way to a New Year’s Refresh

How are your 2025 New Year’s resolutions going? (Yeah, I hate that question, too.) I mean, good for you if you’re still working on the goals you set for yourself in January. And even better yet if, two months into 2025, you still keep your New Year’s resolutions and make progress toward your end-points.

But that’s not for me. I don’t keep up the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. After the fatigue of holiday planning, gift-buying, and hosting, I don’t want more goal-oriented expectations as the new year starts. Instead, I loved what Christina Fennell, my children’s book editor at Pencil Shavings Editorial Services, suggested.

In her January newsletter, Christina presented a great alternative to New Year’s resolutions. Describing her frustration and fatigue after the December holidays, she chose to view January as a planning month. Instead of the “struggle to gain momentum on new goals,” she used the month for “rest and reflection” on the upcoming year. To me, that sounded like more of an overall refresh than a list of New Year’s resolutions.

What a great perspective! Like Christina, I am not ready to jump into new goals after the busy pace of December. But Christina’s idea of a reset sounds wise. For me, I would rather develop perspective and consider ideas for the upcoming year without finalizing plans or setting deadlines. As I thought about what Bible verse would best fit that rest and refresh, Acts 3:19 came to mind.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19

Before applying this verse, I want to put it into biblical context. In Acts 3, Peter spoke healing to a lame man in Jesus’s name and then addressed the miracle’s eyewitnesses. Peter identified Jesus as the Holy Righteous One and gave all credit to Him for the healing (Acts 3:14, 16). Chastising his fellow Israelites, Peter accused them of disowning Jesus and handing Him over to be killed (Acts 3:13-15). He reminded these Israelites of the Old Testament history that pointed to the Messiah. He spoke of God’s covenant with Abraham and the promises given by prophets like Moses and Samuel (Acts 3:18-25). Acts 3:11-26 records Peter’s message as he first identified the Israelites’ sins. Peter then confirmed Jesus as the Messiah, reminding the crowd that God’s covenant with Abraham would bless all people.

Wedged between Peter’s harsh message of murderous accusations and ignored prophetic messages is a call to action. Acts 3:19 presents the solution that applied to the Israelites in that crowd and also applies to us now. When we recognize our sin, our response should be to repent and turn to God. Then God will forgive, wiping out our sins like a disinfectant bleach wipe swipes through bathtub scum. Not only does our Lord offer forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but He gives times of refreshing.

That is the New Year’s refresh and reset that I need. When the Holy Spirit convicts me of my sin, I need to pay attention and repent. Repentance means that I make a U-turn from my selfish pursuits and return to God in humility and obedience. When I ask for forgiveness, I don’t presume any personal merit. All I can do is ask Jesus to forgive me because He died on the cross to pay the price. Only His sacrifice can wipe my sins out, or in King David’s words, “blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1). Blotting, wiping, swiping—it’s an instant reset. And then He refreshes. When Jesus forgives the sin that stands between me and Him, I am restored to fellowship with Him. And that refresh sets me back on the path to my goal of following Jesus wholeheartedly.

More than a resolution, Acts 3:19 outlines God’s refresh: turn to God and repent. Then, receive His forgiveness and let Him refresh you. That is a great plan for any time of year! What a faithful, loving God to offer us His refresh, not just for New Year’s, but for anytime and all-time.