What Now?: Finding Renewed Life in Christ After Loss

Book excerpt: How do you find hope after loss? Kaitlyn Odom Fiedler was eight years old when she woke up alone in a hospital room, the victim of a horrible car accident that had claimed the lives of six of her family members as they traveled on their way to vacation at the beach. Left with only one living brother, young Kaitlyn was left with the question, "What now?" How do you find hope after loss? Twenty years later, Kaitlyn has found her hope and wants to encourage others as they struggle with their own trials. What Now?: Finding Renewed Life in Christ After Loss brings a refreshing perspective of hope and will help answer the questions of how to move forward, not just move on, when it seems there is nothing left on which to cling. Readers will discover how Kaitlyn moved from questioning to trusting God in times of sorrow, and they will find hope and healing in their own grief journey along the way. Endorsements In What Now?, Kaitlyn shares her pain, struggle, and personal wrestling with grief, love, and hope with courageous vulnerability. Although her story is her own, she invites us to find our own stories in it and, by doing so, we find hope outside of ourselves. ... Kaitlyn writes as if she is introducing us to her family, her home, and her hope. She has found Christ sustaining, patient, and present and introduces Him as one friend introduces another. ... Lee Anne Cavin Grace Church Campus Support Staff Kaitlyn opens the door to her grief and invites you in. ... Asking the question, “What now?” she gently places your hand in the hand of Jesus and walks with you into the light of healing and hope. Hers is a story honestly told, laying her suffering open, welcoming you to share with her God’s living and sufficient grace. Georgia Tanner Author of Genesis: Small Stories of a Big God What Now? challenged me to see God’s goodness amid insurmountable suffering. Kaitlyn’s use of storytelling kept me engaged and inspired. With vulnerability and boldness, Kaitlyn shares her experience of unimaginable loss and brings hope to hurting people. This book will support people who have encountered trauma, suffering, or loss; and What Now? will guide the rest of us as we journey with them. Peter Hyatt Campus Minister,Clemson Baptist Collegiate Ministry In her book What Now?, Kaitlyn did a phenomenal job of addressing an extremely painful topic and shared openly and honestly about her journey through her own grief. What she revealed depicts a process that can make or break a person. ... Kaitlyn genuinely is a wounded healer who can understand another’s pain and also know that there is light that can come out of darkness. Vickey Maclin, Psy.D. Associate Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Charlotte and Psychological Associate In What Now?, Kaitlyn shares her story with raw vulnerability and I felt immediately connected to her. Throughout her story you will be inspired by her strength and amazed at the faithfulness of our great God! This book is a survival guide for anyone who needs a reminder that God is good and our strength in times of hardship. Grace Valentine Author of four best-selling books and host of Water Into Wine podcast In his book, The Wounded Healer, Henri Nouwen wrote that “The great illusion of leadership is to think that man can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there.” Kaitlyn has been in the desert of great pain and loss. And she’s emerged as a wounded healer―able to speak with both awareness and hope for those who find themselves in the throes of grief. Chrystie Cole Author of Redeeming Sexuality and A Woman’s Words