About the Author

Karina Allen is devoted to helping women live out their unique calling and building authentic community through the practical application of Scripture in an approachable, winsome manner.

(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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  1. What a video and what an amazing man. Will pray that his three children will always be kept and never get bitter against God as they miss their daddy. I almost went by this post as like you said, we flinch from the subject. But amazing testimony.x

  2. Glorious words, Karina, not only for how to leave with grace when it’s our turn, but also how to receive with grace the departure of those we love and can’t imagine this planet without them.
    This material world captures my attention far too much. Thank you for this morning’s realignment of my treasuring.

  3. Karina,
    I’m so sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing something we rarely speak about. I think, perhaps, it’s because not enough of us have adopted Steve’s eternal perspective. As the words of one “Big Daddy Weave” song go, “I’m not really gone; I’m just changing neighborhoods.” Steve is living in the city whose streets are lined with gold. We also can’t imagine how he had the grace that he did going through dying with cancer. But, God doesn’t give us grace in our imaginings, He gives us grace when we are actually IN the crucible. What a testimony of God’s grace your sweet friend has been to many. So many “life” lessons from someone who “died well”.
    Blessings to you and Steve’s family,
    Bev xx

  4. Blessings Karina:

    Thank you for your reflection and for posting Steve’s story. Yes, how to die well….so important. I just lost my mother-in-law to cancer. She was a shining example of faith to me. I learned much from her about how to die well by living close to God.

  5. Karina,
    Thank you for sharing this testimony. I loved what he said about being real with God and not religious. Oh, that we could grab hold of that truth and pass it on to others and give God all the glory, and that we could embrace the Body of Christ to be able to reach out to those around us in need. This was so timely and touching. I pray that his wife and children will feel so loved and able to walk in that peace that passes all understanding, knowing that God heard his prayers and they would continue to run to Him and grow stronger in Him day by day. Thank you.

    • May we all ditch our ‘religion’ and truly live the REAL life with God. Amen. This is what hard times should do for us. May we not waste them but embrace them. As Steve was so thankful for cancer (I had a friend who was the same – thankful for her cancer which took her life at age 41), I, too, am so thankful for my hard times as they have driven me closer to God and He does give that ‘peace which passes ALL understanding’ despite whatever our circumstances may be. John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease”

  6. Thank you Karina for sharing this very touching story with us this morning – awww yes – dying/death – such a difficult topic for so many – I spent the last years of my career as a hospice palliative care nurse – such an honour to be invited to join patients and their families on their end of life journeys – I believe there is so much to learn from those who are dying – your friend was a testament to that belief – in the end there is no end only a new beginning when we are called home – love, light and blessings to all xo

    • Amen Debra!

      My friend Samantha was a hospice nurse for a while and we talked all about death more than I ever have before. I’m glad we had those conversations.

  7. So very timely. My Dad (89 years) has been in Hospice care for 8 months & has so little quality of life. He is at peace with God & so ready to go home; my mom passed 10 years ago. My sisters & I pray daily for God’s grace & mercy to take him home. What an amazing man Steve was. His video was so touching & insightful. May God bless & comfort his wife, children & friends. Thank you so much Karina for sharing this today; you touched my heart.

  8. Karina,

    We don’t have an eternal perspective like we should. This world calls us to live for the here and now. Get what you can & don’t worry about tomorrow. We need to cultivate more of an eternal perspective. I guess since I’ve aged, lost both my parents-dad just last year, & now about to lose my FIL I’m longing to go home & be with Jesus. This world has me down-to materialism, division & strife-not enough love, care & God. Cancer is a hard disease to go through-especially if you don’t have God in your life. Caregivers take the brunt of the disease along with patient. They go with them to doctor’s appointment, & chemo. Do most of cooking, housework & are with the patient after treatment. It can be hard oh so very hard. We as friends & neighbors need to come alongside the patients & offer what assistance we can. It may be cooking a meal, checking on them, visiting them or just praying for them. Your friend leaves a great testimony on how to die well. We should all try to show God’s love to all even in the midst of pain & suffering. I pray I can be as Godly as he was. I also pray for his family. May God comfort them & send His grace & mercy. May his children always follow God & not get mad. Thank you for sharing!!

    BTW: if anyone is going through Cancer-they can call American Cancer Society & ask for help. I work with local Relay for Life in Carter County TN. A big reason is my pastor’s wife had breast cancer & now my FIL has stage III bladder cancer & his loving wife is caring for him.

    Blessings 🙂

  9. This has been one of the most meaningful devotions I’ve read (and heard) on Incourage. Thank you for sharing.

  10. I wrestled with some of the same things he wrestled with when I got my diagnosis. Leaving my children behind is my biggest fear. I’m cancer free now but much more aware of death. I’m also much more aware of my weakness and utter need for Jesus and His grace. May God be with his family and grant them blessings beyond imagination and grace and peace beyond understanding.

  11. Karina, thank you so much for every inch of this message. TRULY a great and perfectly-timed gift from God!

  12. This is truly what we need to be thinking about—how to die well. As Ann Voskamp recently said in her book The Broken Way (paraphrased): we need to act as if we’re terminal, because we are.