Need You Now (44 page)
11. Do you feel like Darlene and Brad have a good marriage? Could they have benefited from counseling, as Darlene suggested?
12. What are your thoughts about Dave? Did he pursue Darlene? Did you have compassion for him and his situation? How much do you blame him for his indiscretions in the barn with Darleneâor do you? Do you hope that he finds someone to spend his life with and to be a good mother to Cara, or does he not deserve such happiness after almost wrecking Darlene and Brad's marriage?
13. Do you think Darlene would have ever kissed Dave in the barn if she hadn't suspected Brad of infidelity? What were her motives? Did she feel justified? Lonely? And how did her betrayal ultimately affect her?
14. When Darlene and Brad are arguing a lot, their discord is fueled by their worry for Grace. But what inner feelings are each of them harboring that cause resentment of the other?
15. If you live in the city, have you ever dreamed of escaping to a quieter life in the country? Does geography really have anything to do with the peace we have in our hearts?
16. Do you think Darlene and Brad's betrayal and lies will make their marriage stronger now? Or would they have been better off without any of it? Has there ever been a time within your own marriage when poor judgment ended up strengthening your bond?
Cutting is a dangerous coping method that can be addicting. If you or someone you know is engaging in self-injury, talk to a health professionalâsuch as a counselor, social worker, doctor, or nurseâand ask about resources in your area. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national directory of mental health facilities on its website,
store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator
, and The American Psychological Association's website has a Psychologist Locator,
locator.apa.org
. SAMHSA's public education website “What a Difference a Friend Makes” contains informationâincluding a community forumâfor anyone trying to help a friend through a mental health difficulty:
www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov
. A large Internet forum specifically devoted to self-harm is
www.recoveryourlife.net
.
Don't leave God out of your pain. Pray for His guidance and healing so that this behavior releases its hold on you. “Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
M
ATTHEW 11:27-29 NASB
Special thanks to my dear friend Kelly Long for keeping me and this book in prayer for over a year. It's an honor to dedicate it to you, and I value our special friendship.
To my assistant / publicity coordinator, Janet Murphy, I did my best writing on this book at your beach house that you graciously offered to me. Much thanks for your generosity, friendship, and the great job that you do.
Teenage cutting is a serious problem, and it was important to me to accurately explain the thoughts and feelings that go along with this destructive way of coping. Thank you to Eric Baumgartner, MA, clinical psychology, for your help and input on the manuscript. It is much appreciated!
Thank you to my Thomas Nelson fiction familyâespecially my editor Natalie Hanemann and “Superman” Allen Arnoldâfor allowing me to spread my wings into a new genre by writing a story that called to my heart. If
Need You Now
helps one struggling family, then we have all done our job for Him.
To my line editor, Jenny Baumgartner, it is always a pleasure to work with you. You take over where Natalie leaves off, and you always make my books shine. Love being on this journey with you. Blessings to you and your precious family, my friend.
Mary Sue Seymourâso glad you came to visit us in Texas. What a fantastic time we had! I'm very blessed to have an agent who is also a dear friend. Peace always.
To my wonderful husband, Patrick . . . I love you so much! And I cherish the fruit salad tree that you planted in our front yardâsymbolic of our own family . . .
“A tiny treeâa spring of life no bigger than a twig. But with proper nourishment, the tree and its various fruits will be forever grounded, rooted together for life, for generations to come.”
That's us!
Friends and family, I'd be lost without your love and encouragement. Special thanks to my best friend, Renée Bissmeyer, and also to my mother, Pat Isley.
As always, my most heartfelt thanks goes to God for His continuous blessings.
Thank you, dear readers, for allowing me to share the gift of story with you. If this novel touched you or someone you know, I'd love to hear from you at [email protected].
B
ETH
W
ISEMAN
is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol Award winner and author of numerous best sellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.