Kristin Vanderlip
About the Author

A bereaved mother and veteran military spouse, Kristin Vanderlip is passionate about spreading the love of writing as a source of healing and hope. She is the author of Rest: A Journal for Lament. Kristin, her husband, and their two boys currently call California’s Bay Area home.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Kristin, I can’t even begin to imagine the depth of your loss, and I’m thankful that you’ve been able to open up about your grief — how good of God to meet that risk with the gift of a friend!

  2. Kristin,
    Sharing in your grief. Thank you for sharing your testimony of how God was (and is) able to bring beauty from our ashes if we are willing to be brave and be vulnerable. I grew up in a household where you didn’t share your emotions and you certainly didn’t “air your dirty laundry” in front of others. The truth is, we all have “dirty laundry”. We have hearts that are torn with sadness, grief, fear, anxiety, despair, disappointment, discouragement. Another fact is that we are not alone. God gives us others to help us bear our burdens and shoulder the load with others. He made us to be in relationship with Him and with others. I have found that the boldest, bravest step is often going first in being vulnerable. God has never disappointed me in either bringing someone along to minister to me, or bringing someone along to whom I can minister. That’s how it is in God’s economy. Thanks for a brave and lovely post!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx
    ps. God bless military wives and families – you are the backbone of our great Nation! Thank you for your sacrifices.

    • Oh thank you so much for your sweet words Bev! I’m so glad you too experienced God’s goodness in this area. And I love what you said here: “God gives us others to help us bear our burdens and shoulder the load with others. He made us to be in relationship with Him and with others. I have found that the boldest, bravest step is often going first in being vulnerable. ” Amen sister! Blessings, Kristin

  3. Kristin, you are a great example of what I am struggling to be; Vulnerable to allow love and friendship into my life and keep my heart open to deeper relationships. I want to share and be part of this journey with others but I can’t seem to take the steps to get there. I will question everything until I don’t do anything.
    Thank you for sharing your story and I pray for you to stay strong with your losses and I will continue to try to create better relationships and be more open thanks to your inspiration.

    • Gina thank you for sharing your honest heart with me here. I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling with this now, but know you’re not alone. We all are to some degree or another at any given time. I’m so glad my own story could be inspiring to you. That’s what’s encouraging about sharing our experiences with vulnerability and friendships – when we see someone do it scared and see God at work we’re encouraged in turn . Praying for you to be filled with God’s confidence and wisdom for sharing yourself and your journey with others and praying for you to trust His timing. Lean into His promises. Blessings, Kristin

  4. You are a beautiful child of God. He is preparing you to be a disciple. I will pray for you as you grieve and may you feel His loving arms around you always.

    • Thank you so much for your kind words Margaret. Your comment touched me. I know that I am His disciple and have been investing in discipling other women this year. Discipleship and filling God’s command with discipleship have been heavy on my heart over the past couple of years. Blessings to you, Kristin.

  5. ((Kristin)) Good reminder to meet each other in our vulnerability. Kind of like a high-five — you don’t want to leave anyone hanging. In this way we make vulnerability a holy discomfort. The Lord’s been teaching me about comfort zones this past year, and how I’m most effective for Him outside of them. ((Hugs and prayers))

    • Thanks for your comment Brenda! I love what you said: “In this way we make vulnerability a holy discomfort” and “I’m most effective for Him outside of them” – Amen! Blessings, Kristin

  6. Kristin,
    I am deeply sorry for your losses.You’re extremely brave to open up not knowing the outcome, and it’s wonderful you’ve connected with someone special.

    Psalm
    84:11
    For the Lord God is a sun and shield.

    I pray that you are surrounded by Him.

    Blessings to all,

    Penny

  7. I just love this so much, because I’ve felt the same way at ladies groups. Opening my heart up so much reaching out for connection and feeling like no one reaches back. So comforting to read your story and think that maybe there was someone there who was blessed in her own quiet way.

  8. Kristin,
    I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability with us, too. It is refreshing when we can meet someone who is willing to go deep with you, not just be an acquaintance on the surface. Beautiful post! <3

  9. That sounds like a divine appointment. How wonderful to find an understanding soul in a time of grief, someone who understands and doesn’t just give pat answers. I pray for a lot of people, and I see very good results, but sometimes only God has the answers. I pray His peace finds you and you friend today, and I am truly sorry for your loss.

  10. Kristen,

    I pray God bless you and ALL the army wives & families. You sacrifice soo much for our country. (((hugs & blessings)))

    Thank you for being open & honest about a hard time in your life. As introverts it is hard to be open & share our struggles. I have been there. There comes a time when we have to be vulnerable & open up about our struggles & trials. I go to a small church & my dad came with us some after mom died. January 2016 my aging dad’s dementia got bad & he was hospitalized. My family all lives out of state, so no help from them. I got brave & emailed a few good friends at church & asked for prayers. When the illness got really bad-they were there for me with hugs & prayers. I’m not sure I could have made it through that time without their help. God brought beauty out of ashes. He healed my dad & gave him 14 more good months before taking him home.

    Blessings 🙂