Keeping Guard, page 20
The first time I visited Yorktown and sat in a little beachfront restaurant, I knew I had to set a story there. The quaint town was just too eerie, too steeped in history and too wonderful to pass up.
I enjoyed getting to know Kylie and Nate through writing this story. Each have had things happen in their pasts that affect who they are today—tragedy, painful relationships, cancer. It’s easy to hang on to hurts and let them shape us negatively.
Philippians 3:14 tells us that we must press on toward the goal. We must be like runners who keep going, despite the aches and pains along the way. We have to make a choice and let our heartaches and disappointments turn us into better, stronger people.
My prayer is that we can all let go of any hurts in our lives and focus on the bright future we have in Christ.
Blessings,
Christy Barritt
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Kylie admits that it was easier to rely on God in the hard times than it was in the easy times. Some people also feel the opposite—that it’s easy to rely on God in the good times and more difficult in the stormy seasons of life. Which do you feel and why?
What events from your past have shaped you into the person you are today? Have they shaped you positively or negatively?
Is there anything from your past that you need to reevaluate, that holds you back from your potential? List ways you can let those hurts make you better instead of bitter.
Nate turned his back on his own dreams in order to let his father’s dream live. Have you ever given up your dreams to help someone else fulfill theirs? How did that make you feel? Did you ever regret the decision?
Kylie feels as if her family babies her. Everyone’s upbringing has affected them in some way. How has your upbringing affected who you are today?
Kylie reflects on life while walking through the historic cemetery. Have you ever taken a walk through a cemetery simply to reflect on life? What do you want people to say about you one day?
Do you ever feel as if God’s not listening to you, that your requests fall on deaf ears? Read Luke 18:1-8. Why can we be confident that God hears us?
Kylie says she believes in God, but she doesn’t need to go to church to show it. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Deanna wanted to be in a relationship with Nate because of what he could do for her—potentially give her status or money. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who appeared to be using you? How did you handle it? What did you learn from the situation?
Kylie discovers toward the end of the book that you can let circumstances determine who you are, or you can determine who you are through the circumstances. Which one of these notions has been strongest in your life? How can you make changes?
The townspeople come together amidst the tragedy Nate is facing. When have others been there for you? How does that make you feel? Do you return the sentiment when tragedy happens in the lives of others?
Do you have any past relationships that have mangled your view of God? A controlling boyfriend? A domineering father? A betrayal by a best friend? How can you let go of those hurts to see a true image of a loving God?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8539-6
KEEPING GUARD
Copyright © 2011 by Christy Barritt
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.SteepleHill.com
Christy Barritt, Keeping Guard
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I enjoyed getting to know Kylie and Nate through writing this story. Each have had things happen in their pasts that affect who they are today—tragedy, painful relationships, cancer. It’s easy to hang on to hurts and let them shape us negatively.
Philippians 3:14 tells us that we must press on toward the goal. We must be like runners who keep going, despite the aches and pains along the way. We have to make a choice and let our heartaches and disappointments turn us into better, stronger people.
My prayer is that we can all let go of any hurts in our lives and focus on the bright future we have in Christ.
Blessings,
Christy Barritt
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Kylie admits that it was easier to rely on God in the hard times than it was in the easy times. Some people also feel the opposite—that it’s easy to rely on God in the good times and more difficult in the stormy seasons of life. Which do you feel and why?
What events from your past have shaped you into the person you are today? Have they shaped you positively or negatively?
Is there anything from your past that you need to reevaluate, that holds you back from your potential? List ways you can let those hurts make you better instead of bitter.
Nate turned his back on his own dreams in order to let his father’s dream live. Have you ever given up your dreams to help someone else fulfill theirs? How did that make you feel? Did you ever regret the decision?
Kylie feels as if her family babies her. Everyone’s upbringing has affected them in some way. How has your upbringing affected who you are today?
Kylie reflects on life while walking through the historic cemetery. Have you ever taken a walk through a cemetery simply to reflect on life? What do you want people to say about you one day?
Do you ever feel as if God’s not listening to you, that your requests fall on deaf ears? Read Luke 18:1-8. Why can we be confident that God hears us?
Kylie says she believes in God, but she doesn’t need to go to church to show it. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Deanna wanted to be in a relationship with Nate because of what he could do for her—potentially give her status or money. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who appeared to be using you? How did you handle it? What did you learn from the situation?
Kylie discovers toward the end of the book that you can let circumstances determine who you are, or you can determine who you are through the circumstances. Which one of these notions has been strongest in your life? How can you make changes?
The townspeople come together amidst the tragedy Nate is facing. When have others been there for you? How does that make you feel? Do you return the sentiment when tragedy happens in the lives of others?
Do you have any past relationships that have mangled your view of God? A controlling boyfriend? A domineering father? A betrayal by a best friend? How can you let go of those hurts to see a true image of a loving God?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8539-6
KEEPING GUARD
Copyright © 2011 by Christy Barritt
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.SteepleHill.com
Christy Barritt, Keeping Guard
