A Broken Kind of Beautiful

A Broken Kind a Beautiful

By Katie Ganshert

Ivy Clark is a professional model, turning heads everywhere she goes since at least the age of fourteen. The people in her life have used her for their own gain, pleasure, or in some cases, to witness their demise. She’s never known love, real love, and wouldn’t recognize it if it invited her into its home, served her sweet tea, and placed her favorite flowers in a vase.

The fashion industry is fickle, and when her career starts to slip, Ivy receives an unusual opportunity to salvage it. But she’ll need the expertise of a photographer who doesn’t take pictures anymore. And it will involve returning to the small town where she was forced to spend summers with a father who never gave her the time of day.

Davis Knight sees Ivy like no one else does. He sees the cracks, the pain, the hollowed hurting eyes behind her perfect visage. He punishes himself for the past and refuses to look hopefully into his own future, allthewhile keeping Ivy at arm’s length.

This story touches on some beautiful themes: unconditional love, true beauty, and learning how to see people through different eyes. The characters are well-drawn, and they linger in the best possible way. Though published three years ago, the book feels very fresh. I think every reader will see shadows of themselves as they read it.

You can learn more about Katie Ganshert here. You can check out her book for sale here.

When you see models on magazine covers, do you ever wonder what their life is like outside the spotlight? Do you wonder if anyone loves them for who they are instead of what they look like? Leave us a comment to be entered into this week's drawing!

Mornings with Miley

 By Andrea Boeshaar

When I get up in the morning, it's all about my dog. My back can hurt, my fibro can flare, but it's all about Miley. A yellow lab, she's so happy that I've managed to get my body out of bed. With her tail wagging she reminds me that the first order of business is fixing her morning meal. After she laps up her breakfast, it's time to take her outside where I stand on the back stoop and throw the Frisbee to her come rain, snow, or frigid temps. 

Sometimes I wonder if my neighbors whisper about the woman (me) who goes outside and into her back yard wearing jammies, boots, her winter coat. Cane in hand, this strange lady trudges around the yard after her hyper dog. (Hey, in the summer, I'm in jammies, a bathrobe, and have  my coffee in hand!)

Miley will be three years old this April and as she ages she's become more protective of my husband and me and our home. She has a ferocious bark that can make the UPS driver leave deliveries at the end of the driveway. But what impresses us the most is the unconditional love our pet shows us. As I muse this Friday morning, I find myself wishing I could show the Lord Jesus Christ that same level of devotion. 

So why can't I?

I guess there's no excuse for not being diligent about studying my Bible and praying, but I'll admit to getting distracted far too often. The cares of this life can weigh on my oh-so-human mind and then the sin of worry creeps in. But if I can just remember to take my beloved dog's approach and joyfully sit at Jesus's feet, look up into his glorious face, and say, "Feed me. Take care of my needs today." I believe He will do it. If He cares about even one small sparrow, how much more does He care for us?