Mended Hearts (19 page)

Dear Reader,

My son-in-law did a youth ministry stint in Littleton, Colorado. A local host family took him to see Columbine High School, the scene of a heinous attack. Jon's guide told him “Most of the teachers that were here have gone.” That single sentence sent my brain spinning.

Where did they go? What shadows followed them? How do you deal with a conscienceless act that happens on your watch?

And so began
Mended Hearts,
the story of a survivor who regains her hold on normalcy and the man who reminds her of her past. It's a story of redemptive strength, of gathering scattered pieces and realizing Humpty Dumpty
can
be fixed. It just takes faith, hope, love and time.

Our family has four wonderful high school teachers. I worked for nine years in a segregated classroom with angry middle school kids. Many bore little conscience. My poverty-stricken youth taught me that good teachers
do
make a difference. Their impact resounds long after that last bell rings. And true teachers are born to teach, intrinsic to their heart and soul.

I hope you love this story of regaining strength and mustering faith, of bold steps forward in the sweet setting of Allegany County, NY, one of God's prettiest places. I love to hear from readers. Your words bless me. Visit me and “the guys” online at www.menofalleganycounty.com or come play with me at “Ruthy's Place,” www.ruthysplace.com, where I shamelessly exploit cute kids, pets and recipes because it's, well…fun. You can email me at [email protected] or snail mail me c/o Love Inspired Books, Harlequin Enterprises, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

God bless you and keep you!

Ruthy

1. Matt's sudden reappearance in town angers Jeff. We realize that Jeff has unresolved feelings regarding his half brother. Does pushing our feelings aside help us heal? Or do they just ferment over time?
   
2. Hannah assumes she is thrust into the library fundraising project because of her job. Later we find out that Helen knew who she was and timed the fundraising for when Hannah was strong enough to handle it. Has the Holy Spirit ever “organized” things in your life, waiting until just the right time for circumstances to nudge you forward?
   
3. Jeff reminds Hannah of Brian, her former fiancé. Reminders of Brian inspire memories of Ironwood High, the two traumas interconnected. How difficult is it to handle trauma in our lives? And how does faith help us to heal?
   
4. In an act of self-protection, Hannah works small jobs to keep from becoming invested. Despite that, she's fallen in love with Allegany County. Her attraction to Jeff could endanger that. What if things don't work out? Her fears make it difficult to take chances. Have you ever been afraid to step out? How did you conquer that fear?
   
5. Hannah's brother and sister-in-law give birth to a baby girl. Caitlyn's birth reminds Hannah that life goes on and gives her a forward thrust. She realizes fear is not of God and decides to consciously work to conquer it. Has taking a firm step forward ever helped you heal?
   
6. Matt Cavanaugh says he's come back to Wellsville and Jamison to work, but he's also there to make amends and atone for his youthful sins. How hard would it be to go back and face those you hurt?
   
7. Jeff's mother and grandmother cut him no slack regarding his attitude toward Matt. They see Matt as another victim of Neal Brennan's callous disregard for others. Their inclusion of Matt angers Jeff. He thinks his self-righteous anger is understandable, but God nudges him forward, forcing him to see the whole picture. Have you ever clung to anger like Jeff? How did you let it go and move on?
   
8. Jane Dinsmore's illness is the catapult Hannah needs to face her bigger fear: returning to the classroom. Once there, she realizes the anticipation was worse than the deed. How often have you let worry consume you, only to realize the reality isn't all that bad?
   
9. Hannah reveals her past to Jeff while she contemplates returning to the classroom. Jeff's feelings are torn, but he wants what's best for her. When Hannah's safety is threatened by an angry student, Jeff feels as if he let her down. How difficult is it to know which way to go, what choices to make? And have you ever given advice that backfired? How did you fix that?
   
10. Hearing what Hannah endured at Ironwood shames Jeff. He sees his resentment of Matt through grown-up eyes finally. He seeks Matt out and apologizes and offers assurance that they're family and family sticks together. Have you ever had to admit you were wrong and openly swallow your pride? Humble yourself? Was it difficult to do?
    
11. Dominic is an example of a lost soul in a dysfunctional family. How important is it for families to talk things out? Share their feelings? Share their faith? How did Dominic's father allow guilt to separate him from his son?
    
12. Christ promised life to the full, but God entrusted man with free will. When evil arises, how hard is it to regain that promised life? How can we help others who've experienced a grievous loss?