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Where I End: A Story of Tragedy, Truth, and Rebellious Hope
“Those who are hidden in Jesus, though they suffer, will discover a more beautiful ending—or should I say beginning—than they ever could imagine.” Katherine Clark was just an average wife and mother with two young children when she was in a tragic playground accident. A little boy playing on the jungle gym jumped and landed on Kate’s head, knocking her over and snapping her neck. Kate was paralyzed from the neck down. The doctors diagnosed her with quadriplegia and said she would never walk again. This terrifying prognosis could have been the end of the story. But instead, God chose to work a profound miracle in Kate’s life and in the life of her family. Where I End tells the incredible story. Kate describes how God’s presence carried her through the trying journey of re-learning to walk, both physically and spiritually. Throughout, she shares the deep theological truths that sustained her as she and her family traveled this difficult road. For fans of Ann Voskamp, Sheldon Vanauken, and Joni Eareckson Tada, Where I End offers hope, encouragement, and a timely reminder of who Jesus God with us. In a reflective, literary style, Kate invites readers to see pain and suffering within the context of God’s loving, tender, powerful care—and there find hope.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2018
46 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Elizabeth Clark
2 books14 followersKATHERINE CLARK is wife to a gifted theologian and mom to two bright kids, all of whom bring merriment and humor to her days. A native of Detroit, Kate has had the privilege of living in several great cities, including Dallas, Toronto, Grand Rapids, and Chicago. Kate studied at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Dallas Theological Seminary. With a background in psychology, she has spent much of the last twenty years working and writing for a nationwide Christian radio and counseling ministry. When she's not writing, Kate enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking new recipes with her kids, and immersing herself in books. The Clark family currently resides in Wheaton, IL and worships together at Church of the Resurrection.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 15, 2018
Where Tragedy Intersects with Truth
Some stories leave a reader short of breath, muscles stiffened, dreading to turn the page because of the unavoidable outcome of the narrative arc. Katherine Clark’s story began on a routine Friday, volunteering at her son’s school. However, when she rounded the playground equipment in a schoolyard game of tag, one of the children bounded into the air from above and crashed into her head. She landed on the ground, paralyzed from the neck down, and Where I End: A Story of Tragedy, Truth, and Rebellious Hope is her memoir of that collision and of her faithful response in the re-telling of it.
Because of the Fall
What followed that day in 2009 for Katherine, her husband, and her young children was a journey of why’s in which they also learned to trust God in the dark, even when answers did not come. As they waited for healing of Katherine’s crushed and lacerated spinal cord, they found the truth of C.S. Lewis’s words:
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
And in the case of the Clark family, God’s best was pretty painful. Although forty days of intense physical therapy and rehabilitation enabled Katherine to come home on her feet with a cane, her life was forever changed. Even today, nine years after the accident, she experiences difficulty in walking, muscle spasticity, balance issues, and continual nerve pain throughout her body.
Grieving, but not Depressed
The Clarks learned that grief is “the faithful response to loss.” (211) In excerpts from Care Page posts that were written during Katherine’s hospitalization, John Clark (Katherine’s husband) shared the family’s story of laughter and tears. Their grief over all that was lost with the accident was tempered by hope and gratitude, “the sense that God [was] not only near, but that He [was] doing something mighty and altogether lovely in [their] midst.”
The faithful response of the local church was key to this tenacity and “faithful response” within grief, and it was heartwarming to read about all the many ways in which the Body of Christ showed up for that young family:
A friend posted Bible verses in Katherine’s hospital room;
Meals were delivered to the hospital each day so Katherine and John could have a family dinnertime with their children;
Evening visitors were asked to wait until 6:15 to protect their family time;
Friends and family volunteered to stay with the children after John tucked them into bed so he could return to the hospital for some treasured time alone together.
The loving attention of God’s people and their prayers helped the Clarks to see beyond the pain and suffering to God’s redemptive purpose in it, to deal with their children’s sorrow, and to praise and grieve together.
Two Pervasive Responses to Grief
If grief is seen as an unwelcome interloper, we’re quick to put a Romans 8:28 band aid on it instead of giving our attention to lament. Jesus models a right response to the death of Lazarus, for even though He was going to turn death on its head, he wept genuine tears and entered into grief with His friends.
If grief becomes a way of life, indulged at every opportunity, we reject healing and become content in sadness. Jesus’ question of the man at the pool of Bethesda (“Do you want to be healed?”) could be rhetorical, but probably not! Although it is true that we spend our days on this planet living in shadow, Katherine challenges readers to remember that our “darkness cannot overcome the light.” (127)
The transcendent truth that emerges from the story of Where I End is that we are asked to carry the weight of our story for the benefit of others who also have a holy history that requires their attention and acceptance. Although everyone will not be asked to experience quadripelegia, the miracle and the mess of each life reveals the power of God to carry us through pain and to sustain us through darkness. Even those events which could never in a million years be described as good, can be used to produce good in the hands of a God who knows us and loves us and is able to redeem our stories.
Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing this copy of the book.
Some stories leave a reader short of breath, muscles stiffened, dreading to turn the page because of the unavoidable outcome of the narrative arc. Katherine Clark’s story began on a routine Friday, volunteering at her son’s school. However, when she rounded the playground equipment in a schoolyard game of tag, one of the children bounded into the air from above and crashed into her head. She landed on the ground, paralyzed from the neck down, and Where I End: A Story of Tragedy, Truth, and Rebellious Hope is her memoir of that collision and of her faithful response in the re-telling of it.
Because of the Fall
What followed that day in 2009 for Katherine, her husband, and her young children was a journey of why’s in which they also learned to trust God in the dark, even when answers did not come. As they waited for healing of Katherine’s crushed and lacerated spinal cord, they found the truth of C.S. Lewis’s words:
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
And in the case of the Clark family, God’s best was pretty painful. Although forty days of intense physical therapy and rehabilitation enabled Katherine to come home on her feet with a cane, her life was forever changed. Even today, nine years after the accident, she experiences difficulty in walking, muscle spasticity, balance issues, and continual nerve pain throughout her body.
Grieving, but not Depressed
The Clarks learned that grief is “the faithful response to loss.” (211) In excerpts from Care Page posts that were written during Katherine’s hospitalization, John Clark (Katherine’s husband) shared the family’s story of laughter and tears. Their grief over all that was lost with the accident was tempered by hope and gratitude, “the sense that God [was] not only near, but that He [was] doing something mighty and altogether lovely in [their] midst.”
The faithful response of the local church was key to this tenacity and “faithful response” within grief, and it was heartwarming to read about all the many ways in which the Body of Christ showed up for that young family:
A friend posted Bible verses in Katherine’s hospital room;
Meals were delivered to the hospital each day so Katherine and John could have a family dinnertime with their children;
Evening visitors were asked to wait until 6:15 to protect their family time;
Friends and family volunteered to stay with the children after John tucked them into bed so he could return to the hospital for some treasured time alone together.
The loving attention of God’s people and their prayers helped the Clarks to see beyond the pain and suffering to God’s redemptive purpose in it, to deal with their children’s sorrow, and to praise and grieve together.
Two Pervasive Responses to Grief
If grief is seen as an unwelcome interloper, we’re quick to put a Romans 8:28 band aid on it instead of giving our attention to lament. Jesus models a right response to the death of Lazarus, for even though He was going to turn death on its head, he wept genuine tears and entered into grief with His friends.
If grief becomes a way of life, indulged at every opportunity, we reject healing and become content in sadness. Jesus’ question of the man at the pool of Bethesda (“Do you want to be healed?”) could be rhetorical, but probably not! Although it is true that we spend our days on this planet living in shadow, Katherine challenges readers to remember that our “darkness cannot overcome the light.” (127)
The transcendent truth that emerges from the story of Where I End is that we are asked to carry the weight of our story for the benefit of others who also have a holy history that requires their attention and acceptance. Although everyone will not be asked to experience quadripelegia, the miracle and the mess of each life reveals the power of God to carry us through pain and to sustain us through darkness. Even those events which could never in a million years be described as good, can be used to produce good in the hands of a God who knows us and loves us and is able to redeem our stories.
Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing this copy of the book.
November 23, 2017
Thank you to Moody and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
While reading this book, I have a close family member suffering through cancer treatment and I read an article about Joni Eareckson Tada and her winning the Daniel of the Year Award from World magazine.
This book was a great source of wisdom and encouragement for this time in my life and I believe others will feel the same. At the very least we are reminded of how lightning quick a life can change. Katherine Elizabeth Clark was playing tag on the playground with young children one minute and the next she is flat on the ground and unable move after a 7-yr-old accidentally lands on her head from above her. She is ultimately able to walk again, but her life is never the same.
Part memoir, inspirational and theological in nature. This book is recommended especially for women, but will be edifying for men and teen readers as well.
While reading this book, I have a close family member suffering through cancer treatment and I read an article about Joni Eareckson Tada and her winning the Daniel of the Year Award from World magazine.
This book was a great source of wisdom and encouragement for this time in my life and I believe others will feel the same. At the very least we are reminded of how lightning quick a life can change. Katherine Elizabeth Clark was playing tag on the playground with young children one minute and the next she is flat on the ground and unable move after a 7-yr-old accidentally lands on her head from above her. She is ultimately able to walk again, but her life is never the same.
Part memoir, inspirational and theological in nature. This book is recommended especially for women, but will be edifying for men and teen readers as well.
dnf
October 1, 2024I couldn't finish this. It wasn't for me or I wasn't in the mood for it. It is also cringe-worthy. In fact that Katherine has the worst thing happening to her. When she plays with some kids, she fractures her back and doesn't feel anything from neck to toes anymore. And I cried... and had shivers through my skin.
It was painful to read and I am sorry for the author. Maybe she got through this safely in the end, but I couldn't know. I don't think I'll ever try to read this book. There are a lot of books out there.
It was painful to read and I am sorry for the author. Maybe she got through this safely in the end, but I couldn't know. I don't think I'll ever try to read this book. There are a lot of books out there.
February 23, 2024
Once again, I didn’t want to read a book about tragedy… but I’m so glad I did. The first bit of this one had me questioning if I’d like it. It was super flowery and read more like a devotional than a memoir.
The whole book is more devotional than memoir, BUT I actually ended up loving that about it.
I’d highly recommend this one and am excited to read it again.
“What a good day it will be when with finality we shed our floats of insecurity and fear. When we no longer restrain our joy for fear of appearing undignified. When we cease to shelter ourselves in feigned moral virtue, but rather lap up every drop of happiness offered us. Oh that we might know the freedom of signing, and laughing, and dancing with a full heart, unhinged from pride and vanity. That we might yield our self designed disguises and taste the cheer of pure, authentic, boba fide friendship.”
“‘Why?’ turns us inward, and the more inwardly we gaze, the deeper and darker is our despair. Stuffing ourselves with self, we are ushered into a corridor of self pity with its close companions, misery and bitterness. The question “to what end?”, however, turns our hearts back to our kindhearted father who bids us come, to trust in him, to rest in his promise that though sadness and grief, pain and hardship are ever with us now, he sees and is all the time working powerfully toward ends that are good, ends that are more beautiful and impossible than we could ever imagine.”
“But when we bear the sorrow, one sorrow at a time, honestly and with a measure of rebellious hope, instead of becoming paralyzed or mending crooked, we come through with a quiet strength, a peculiar beauty that only sorrow can forge.”
“Her legs face way beneath her, and she sank to her knees. She had not imagined big enough. She had only thought about finding the giant. She hasn’t thought about seeing it. She had believed in it, but she hasn’t really considered it being real. She had not stopped to picture in her mind what it would be like to be here alone, looking at it - him.” -quoted from The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic
The whole book is more devotional than memoir, BUT I actually ended up loving that about it.
I’d highly recommend this one and am excited to read it again.
“What a good day it will be when with finality we shed our floats of insecurity and fear. When we no longer restrain our joy for fear of appearing undignified. When we cease to shelter ourselves in feigned moral virtue, but rather lap up every drop of happiness offered us. Oh that we might know the freedom of signing, and laughing, and dancing with a full heart, unhinged from pride and vanity. That we might yield our self designed disguises and taste the cheer of pure, authentic, boba fide friendship.”
“‘Why?’ turns us inward, and the more inwardly we gaze, the deeper and darker is our despair. Stuffing ourselves with self, we are ushered into a corridor of self pity with its close companions, misery and bitterness. The question “to what end?”, however, turns our hearts back to our kindhearted father who bids us come, to trust in him, to rest in his promise that though sadness and grief, pain and hardship are ever with us now, he sees and is all the time working powerfully toward ends that are good, ends that are more beautiful and impossible than we could ever imagine.”
“But when we bear the sorrow, one sorrow at a time, honestly and with a measure of rebellious hope, instead of becoming paralyzed or mending crooked, we come through with a quiet strength, a peculiar beauty that only sorrow can forge.”
“Her legs face way beneath her, and she sank to her knees. She had not imagined big enough. She had only thought about finding the giant. She hasn’t thought about seeing it. She had believed in it, but she hasn’t really considered it being real. She had not stopped to picture in her mind what it would be like to be here alone, looking at it - him.” -quoted from The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic
February 21, 2018
Be prepared when you read this book and have a highlighter handy! My book is covered page after page with highlighting!
This book touched my heart in such a profound way. It strengthened my faith and gave me hope where I had none for certain situations in my life. Katherine's love for Jesus and her calm faith radiated throughout this book and gave me such a boost in my spirit!
On a beautiful Spring day, Katherine is at her children's school playing tag on the playground when the most tragic and, truly crazy, thing happened to her. A little boy had climbed to the top of a slide platform, climbed over the railings and jumped just as Katherine was passing underneath. He landed on her head, breaking her neck and paralyzing her! She went from being a runner, active woman to a paraplegic in the blink of an eye. This book tells her story, in her own words, with heart-felt beauty that brought tears to my eyes so many times!
We see God working in and through her life as she deals with this difficult situation that turns her, and her families life, upside down. There were so many things she shared that I could relate to as a woman with my own health issues.
This is a must-read book! It will absolutely allow you to see the strength that Jesus has brought Katherine and her earnest faith in Him. It will give you hope, as it did me, to cope with your own hard situation. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Moody Publishers
This book touched my heart in such a profound way. It strengthened my faith and gave me hope where I had none for certain situations in my life. Katherine's love for Jesus and her calm faith radiated throughout this book and gave me such a boost in my spirit!
On a beautiful Spring day, Katherine is at her children's school playing tag on the playground when the most tragic and, truly crazy, thing happened to her. A little boy had climbed to the top of a slide platform, climbed over the railings and jumped just as Katherine was passing underneath. He landed on her head, breaking her neck and paralyzing her! She went from being a runner, active woman to a paraplegic in the blink of an eye. This book tells her story, in her own words, with heart-felt beauty that brought tears to my eyes so many times!
We see God working in and through her life as she deals with this difficult situation that turns her, and her families life, upside down. There were so many things she shared that I could relate to as a woman with my own health issues.
This is a must-read book! It will absolutely allow you to see the strength that Jesus has brought Katherine and her earnest faith in Him. It will give you hope, as it did me, to cope with your own hard situation. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Moody Publishers
April 23, 2024
I can truly say that I was so blessed by this book. I have never cried so hard and yet learned so much because of a book. The understanding of God and empathy for pain of all kinds, i strongly recommend this book.
I am borrowing it from a roommate and I am about to buy my own copy that I can read it over and over. There is so much wisdom within it looking into the Bible and going through grief I’m excited to read it again.
I am borrowing it from a roommate and I am about to buy my own copy that I can read it over and over. There is so much wisdom within it looking into the Bible and going through grief I’m excited to read it again.
August 2, 2017
This book was really powerful and inspiring. The story of Kate’s accident and injury drew me in right away and I knew this would be a book I would finish quickly. Not just because it is actually a really short book, but because it is so out of the ordinary. I cannot imagine an innocent day playing with children on the playground turning into an absolute catastrophe but in Kate’s case, that is exactly what happened. She could have let that keep her down. She could have believed the doctors when they said that she would never be able to get out of bed. She could have let the pain and sorrow rule her life, but she didn’t do any of these things. Instead she prayed and put all her faith in God. What a wonderful show of faith that was.
This book is not just about her accident and rehabilitation, however. She describes what happened with her family and what they went through also. Her husband and children were greatly affected by the accident and she shares some very powerful memories of these instances. There are also a lot of inspirational stories from others scattered throughout and she used popular quotes from books and movies to relate parts of her story to the reader.
I really enjoyed this book and was incredibly inspired by Kate and her family’s strength and faith. My faith was grown after reading this and I have a feeling, yours will too. It would be very difficult for it not to be effected by this wonderful story and show of God’s strength and mercy.
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*
This book is not just about her accident and rehabilitation, however. She describes what happened with her family and what they went through also. Her husband and children were greatly affected by the accident and she shares some very powerful memories of these instances. There are also a lot of inspirational stories from others scattered throughout and she used popular quotes from books and movies to relate parts of her story to the reader.
I really enjoyed this book and was incredibly inspired by Kate and her family’s strength and faith. My faith was grown after reading this and I have a feeling, yours will too. It would be very difficult for it not to be effected by this wonderful story and show of God’s strength and mercy.
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*
July 28, 2017
Publishers aren’t always eager to print memoirs these days and for good reason I suppose. I don’t presume to know the ins and outs of publishing nor can I see the industry from their perspective. As a reader however, Where I End by Katherine Elizabeth Clark, is the perfect example of why I wish the industry would be quicker to print these beautiful stories that hold timeless truths.
Katherine skillfully weaves hope through a story riddled with tragedy and sadness. I was moved to tears but more importantly, through this book, I was moved to reflection. I hugged my children the next morning in a whole new way. As a mother who has also experienced tragedy, I felt like I was right there with her. In the pain, in the grief, and even in the triumph. Her perspective on scriptural truths comes from a heart truly touched by the Master and that was clear throughout this book. It was a super fast read yet one that will stay with me for a long time to come. I highly recommend this book. In fact, I dare say, there is no one that will not, at least in some way, be touched by this one of a kind book.
Katherine skillfully weaves hope through a story riddled with tragedy and sadness. I was moved to tears but more importantly, through this book, I was moved to reflection. I hugged my children the next morning in a whole new way. As a mother who has also experienced tragedy, I felt like I was right there with her. In the pain, in the grief, and even in the triumph. Her perspective on scriptural truths comes from a heart truly touched by the Master and that was clear throughout this book. It was a super fast read yet one that will stay with me for a long time to come. I highly recommend this book. In fact, I dare say, there is no one that will not, at least in some way, be touched by this one of a kind book.
January 17, 2018
Wow! This was such an incredible story of faith in the midst of life shattering circumstances. As someone who has seen God work miracles in my life and others I understood so much on an emotional level. Maybe it is because I am a person who loves books and the written word. I loved the many references from books that she has read as well as numerous examples from the bible. I will say at times these other references overshadowed her own personal story but it also enriched it somehow. This is a book that I picked up and could not put down.
We are broken people in a broken world so I feel this book is something that everyone will be able to relate to on some level. We all encounter hardships and things that will forever change the course of our life and in turn change who we are into who we are becoming. Change is never easy and the impact it has on the ones we love can often times feel harder than the pain we endure while living it out. I just loved this testimony because it was raw, real and true. Thank you Mrs. Clark for sharing your amazing story with us!
I am so thankful to Net galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
We are broken people in a broken world so I feel this book is something that everyone will be able to relate to on some level. We all encounter hardships and things that will forever change the course of our life and in turn change who we are into who we are becoming. Change is never easy and the impact it has on the ones we love can often times feel harder than the pain we endure while living it out. I just loved this testimony because it was raw, real and true. Thank you Mrs. Clark for sharing your amazing story with us!
I am so thankful to Net galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 14, 2017
I thought this book was inspiring and the story of Kate's accident and injury was what made me turning the pages right away. This book also had me turning the pages because of the fact that Kate lives in my backyard, which also helped me to relate. I cannot imagine how the innocence of playing with her children ended up with her being a paralygic. However, just because she received a diagnosis doesn't mean she was going to allow her to keep her down.
I loved how her faith was strong in this book, but her book wasn't just about her accident or Rehab. She talks about what it was like for her family to go through the process and for her children. I think this book was great and inspiring. I found her story to be strong and encouraging.
This book will profoundly impact you, change your attitude and help your faith. I received an advanced ARC copy from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I loved how her faith was strong in this book, but her book wasn't just about her accident or Rehab. She talks about what it was like for her family to go through the process and for her children. I think this book was great and inspiring. I found her story to be strong and encouraging.
This book will profoundly impact you, change your attitude and help your faith. I received an advanced ARC copy from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed here are my own.
October 8, 2022
Beautiful and miraculous memoir telling the personal story of her tragic journey through devestating injury to gradual healing and joy. I loved how this memior alternated back and forth between her personal story to her insights on topics of tragedy, pain and healing. The book was full of scripture and references to great stories and books. Written with a truly authentic and inspiring voice, while sharing an incredible testimony!
August 3, 2017
This book is lovely. With literary wealth and theological integrity, Where I End is a story that needs to be read and re-read. I was struck with the beautiful edgyness of Kate Clark's theology; one that allows those who have been deeply wounded to be so, yet with hope.
January 21, 2019
"The only faithful response to living this story is to tell it." This is the personal, true story of a figurative journey through drastic life change, physical disability, and faith. Kate Clark had embarked on another average suburban mom day of helping at her son's school, and mothering her younger daughter when a tragic accident altered that trajectory forever. Playing at recess with the school children, Kate is the unsuspecting landing for a child's fall from the top of the jungle gym. He breaks an arm, she severs her spinal cord and becomes a quadriplegic. (tetraplegia is the new correct term). This book recounts in her own words her miraculous recovery beyond what any doctors suspected, her community of support and faith, and her own faith beliefs that enable her to make peace with her new "normal." Though she has regained some of her movement and body function, there is still much she can no longer do and her effort and ability to make peace with this is very admirable. It is a great reminder of how much we take for granted in any given day and a beautiful story of acceptance and support from her family, especially her young children whose limited understanding both help and hinder the healing. Toward the end, she says: "I live gratefully beneath the shadow of pain and sorrow." (212). This isn't the peachy fairytale ending, but it is a happy one for what she has learned and what of that she is able to share. "Life is a mess and a miracle" she quotes Jennifer Trafton, and helps the reader see this truth as well.
April 14, 2023
Such a well written book. The story of what happened and her journey was interspersed with reflections on suffering and faith. She comes across as honest and real, but with such faith and hope. I read the first 60% in one sitting.
February 7, 2022
A terrible and beautiful story at once, Katherine Clark's story of rebellious hope spellbound me from page one. Her faith and her artistry as an author inspired me on every page. I am awakened to a new recognition that these fragile man made lives we build are truly just "houses of cards." God, alone, offers real security. A great read.
November 29, 2023
A true story of modern day miracle.
Very encouraging and hope giving.
Very encouraging and hope giving.
February 3, 2022
A compelling testimony of God's grace and truth amidst tragedy and pain. Artfully interwoven with scripture passages, as well as quotations from children's books and literary classics.
(Disclosure: I received a digital review copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.)
(Disclosure: I received a digital review copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.)
February 28, 2019
Katherine Elizabeth Clark has a story to tell and it isn’t like any other story I’ve heard. Where I End begins with a freak accident, the kind of thing that could happen to any young mom trying to have fun with her kids at the playground: One second she is playing tag. The next, she is lying paralyzed on the ground after a little boy jumps from a playground set and lands on her head.
Suddenly an active young mother is stuck in a body she can’t use. Clark shares the humiliations and griefs that go along with learning how to live in a body that has been profoundly changed. As she retells these events, she maintains a hopeful honesty and never veers too close to either despair or denial. Instead, she sprinkles in the verses that have given her courage alongside the sweet prayers and sad questions of her children who long for God to heal their mom.
It is one thing to endure the immediate after effects, but quite another to move forward in life. I appreciated the scope of her story, moving long past the immediate recovery into the lingering complications of her current life. Clark is sensitive to the fact that her dramatic story often leaves other people feeling they have nothing worth sharing afterwards. “I hate when the story severs the discussion,” Clark admits. “I hate when the story culminates in a comparison of cross bearing and, as a result, a chasm between us.” Perhaps it is this thoughtful concern for others that best explains what I liked best about this book: she doesn’t sensationalize her story or exploit her suffering. At every moment, her focus is on displaying God’s grace in action.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but I can tell you that it is both miraculous and ordinary, full of her testimony of God’s continued faithfulness to her and her family.
Suddenly an active young mother is stuck in a body she can’t use. Clark shares the humiliations and griefs that go along with learning how to live in a body that has been profoundly changed. As she retells these events, she maintains a hopeful honesty and never veers too close to either despair or denial. Instead, she sprinkles in the verses that have given her courage alongside the sweet prayers and sad questions of her children who long for God to heal their mom.
It is one thing to endure the immediate after effects, but quite another to move forward in life. I appreciated the scope of her story, moving long past the immediate recovery into the lingering complications of her current life. Clark is sensitive to the fact that her dramatic story often leaves other people feeling they have nothing worth sharing afterwards. “I hate when the story severs the discussion,” Clark admits. “I hate when the story culminates in a comparison of cross bearing and, as a result, a chasm between us.” Perhaps it is this thoughtful concern for others that best explains what I liked best about this book: she doesn’t sensationalize her story or exploit her suffering. At every moment, her focus is on displaying God’s grace in action.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but I can tell you that it is both miraculous and ordinary, full of her testimony of God’s continued faithfulness to her and her family.
June 22, 2021
“In God’s vast mercy, we live the stories of our lives one page at a time. For sometimes a chapter so painful will come, we are tempted to lament that we’d even started the story. But when we bear the sorrow, one sorrow at a time, honestly and with a measure of rebellious hope, instead of becoming paralyzed or mending crooked, we come through with a quiet strength, a peculiar beauty that only sorrow can forge.”
I found this book on Amazon and basically ordered it arbitrarily.
What a great find!
This is not only a telling of the story of an event that completely changed Kate's life, but it is much more than that. It is a gospel-centered, straightforward look at pain and grief and how we are called to live it.
Kate was playing with the children at recess at her kids’ school when a boy jumped from a play structure and landed right on her head. It crushed something in her spinal cord and paralyzed her from the neck down.
She tells us of the incident, the aftermath, the rehabilitation, and the spiritual journey her family walked because of it.
It is an incredible story, to be sure, but I love how, in sharing her suffering, she is true to her own words about grief: “its role is never that of the star, nor does it play the part of the savior.” We still hear her heart and journey from grief to hope, but none of that overshadows the gospel message.
Just look at the title: “Where I End.” At some point we recognize we are not writing our own stories, God has written us into His. When we come to the end of ourselves, often through pain and suffering, we find rest in God, trusting him with everything we have. We see our grief a little clearer.
Though not necessarily as meaty or witty as Jen Wilkin’s writing, I did find Kate’s writing style to be fairly similar. She is intelligent, easy to follow, and willing to challenge us bluntly. This was not a fluffy or high-emotion book. Emotion is not absent by any means— as a mom it broke my heart to enter into her grief thinking about the things she couldn’t do with and for her kids. To see your kids grieving your accident and not be able to hug them or wipe their tears. Man, if that doesn’t just rip your heart out. But she never got carried away with her feelings. She was transparent yet strong.
She rightfully illuminates two different, and equally wrong, responses to grief. One where our sadness becomes our best companion, our truest identity. Or one where we decide to skip over grief and shield ourselves from it, playing a game of make-believe that hardens our heart to feeling. Neither is biblical.
As Kate points out, we see lament in Scripture. Even as Jesus knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he did not skip over tears. He wept. There is a biblical place for sadness and grief where we recognize feelings that are real and true, but that don’t pull us away from our truest hope. We acknowledge the pain for what it is, but we don’t allow ourselves to be trapped in despair.
One part that really struck me was when she talked about her experience taking communion after her accident. Having endured months of physical therapy learning how to walk and do simple tasks, feeling the claustrophobia of a body that isn’t working properly, she accepts the bread and the cup as her husband says, “The body of Christ broken for you.”
Christ’s broken body. Broken for us.
He is with us in our pain. We share in his suffering.
She goes on to talk about how humbling it is when you must rely on others for everything, especially things like bathing and going to the bathroom. The vulnerability and loss of dignity.
But she says:
“What if Jesus had placed dignity above brokenness? If He had claimed His right to be right? Jesus could have rejected the suffering and humiliation of the cross. Yet he knew there was a flood of joy that would follow and swallowed His and our shame. He chose this joy over respectability, above what the world perceives as greatness and strength.”
Wow. Isn’t it incredible that a King gave up his dignity for brokenness? All for love of a people who rejected him. He turns worldly perceptions on their head. Grief, pain, and suffering are real, there is no doubt, but they aren’t what the world tells us they are. Can we learn from Christ’s example to endure what God writes for us— for joy and his glory?
One more thing I’ll share that I appreciated.
The question ‘Why?’ is always tethered to tragedy and suffering. But it’s not a helpful question! We don’t always get those answers. She shares what preacher Helmut Thielke (preaching in Europe in the aftermath of WWII) says we must ask instead- ‘To what end?’ She expounds,
“‘Why?’ turns us inward… Stuffing ourselves with self, we are ushered into a corridor of self-pity with its close companions, misery and bitterness. The question ‘To what end?’ however, turns our hearts back to our kindhearted Father who bids us come, to trust in Him, to rest in His promise that though sadness and grief, pain and hardship are ever with us now, He sees and is all the time working powerfully toward ends that are good, ends that are more beautiful and impossible than we could ever imagine… Rather than take the position of accuser, which leads us to discouragement and despair, we must set our eyes on Jesus and the ends for which He calls us.”
This is a gem of a book with a gospel-centered message from an author who knows pain and grief but has put it in its proper place. I highly recommend.
Two other books similar to this one that I loved:
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop- shares his story of grief in light of the biblical example of lament.
It’s Not Supposed to be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst- shares her pain with beautiful pottery analogies: sometimes we must be shattered to be made into something new
Here are a few more quotes from Where I End:
“In our distress, we either find solace by remembering who we need and to whom we belong, or we choose the path of despair, refusing to be gathered into the arms of the Father.”
“God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn’t…He always knew that my temple was a house of cards. His only way of making me realize the fact was to knock it down.” - C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
“Hope is the continuance, the expression of faith. It’s not the same as optimism where one closes her eyes, covers her ears, and thinks positive thoughts. Hope does not double as wishing, the whimsical tossing of pennies into a fountain. Forced or contrived ‘hope’ exposes its inferior underbelly with hope for rain, hope the cake turns out, that we miss traffic, or ‘have a good day’, biblical goodness is far more concrete. (Heb 11:1) Biblical hope speaks to the believer of assurance and expectation.”
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
“You will have found Christ when you are concerned with other people’s suffering and not your own.” - Flannery O’Connor
“There are moments in life when we must all come to terms with our smallness and fragility. Moments of truth when our hearts are recalibrated. Trifling anxieties and fears we’ve been collecting and hoarding lose their color. Folly is laid bare. The shallows of our heart make way for the deep. Our need for mercy and for someone to come and rescue us is brought into the light. In these moments, we are not, as some might presume, ashamed. Quite the opposite. Shedding the falsehood of autonomy and self-sufficiency, we can receive the love of Jesus and of others.”
Check out my other book reviews on my blog Shelf Reflection!
I found this book on Amazon and basically ordered it arbitrarily.
What a great find!
This is not only a telling of the story of an event that completely changed Kate's life, but it is much more than that. It is a gospel-centered, straightforward look at pain and grief and how we are called to live it.
Kate was playing with the children at recess at her kids’ school when a boy jumped from a play structure and landed right on her head. It crushed something in her spinal cord and paralyzed her from the neck down.
She tells us of the incident, the aftermath, the rehabilitation, and the spiritual journey her family walked because of it.
It is an incredible story, to be sure, but I love how, in sharing her suffering, she is true to her own words about grief: “its role is never that of the star, nor does it play the part of the savior.” We still hear her heart and journey from grief to hope, but none of that overshadows the gospel message.
Just look at the title: “Where I End.” At some point we recognize we are not writing our own stories, God has written us into His. When we come to the end of ourselves, often through pain and suffering, we find rest in God, trusting him with everything we have. We see our grief a little clearer.
Though not necessarily as meaty or witty as Jen Wilkin’s writing, I did find Kate’s writing style to be fairly similar. She is intelligent, easy to follow, and willing to challenge us bluntly. This was not a fluffy or high-emotion book. Emotion is not absent by any means— as a mom it broke my heart to enter into her grief thinking about the things she couldn’t do with and for her kids. To see your kids grieving your accident and not be able to hug them or wipe their tears. Man, if that doesn’t just rip your heart out. But she never got carried away with her feelings. She was transparent yet strong.
She rightfully illuminates two different, and equally wrong, responses to grief. One where our sadness becomes our best companion, our truest identity. Or one where we decide to skip over grief and shield ourselves from it, playing a game of make-believe that hardens our heart to feeling. Neither is biblical.
As Kate points out, we see lament in Scripture. Even as Jesus knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he did not skip over tears. He wept. There is a biblical place for sadness and grief where we recognize feelings that are real and true, but that don’t pull us away from our truest hope. We acknowledge the pain for what it is, but we don’t allow ourselves to be trapped in despair.
One part that really struck me was when she talked about her experience taking communion after her accident. Having endured months of physical therapy learning how to walk and do simple tasks, feeling the claustrophobia of a body that isn’t working properly, she accepts the bread and the cup as her husband says, “The body of Christ broken for you.”
Christ’s broken body. Broken for us.
He is with us in our pain. We share in his suffering.
She goes on to talk about how humbling it is when you must rely on others for everything, especially things like bathing and going to the bathroom. The vulnerability and loss of dignity.
But she says:
“What if Jesus had placed dignity above brokenness? If He had claimed His right to be right? Jesus could have rejected the suffering and humiliation of the cross. Yet he knew there was a flood of joy that would follow and swallowed His and our shame. He chose this joy over respectability, above what the world perceives as greatness and strength.”
Wow. Isn’t it incredible that a King gave up his dignity for brokenness? All for love of a people who rejected him. He turns worldly perceptions on their head. Grief, pain, and suffering are real, there is no doubt, but they aren’t what the world tells us they are. Can we learn from Christ’s example to endure what God writes for us— for joy and his glory?
One more thing I’ll share that I appreciated.
The question ‘Why?’ is always tethered to tragedy and suffering. But it’s not a helpful question! We don’t always get those answers. She shares what preacher Helmut Thielke (preaching in Europe in the aftermath of WWII) says we must ask instead- ‘To what end?’ She expounds,
“‘Why?’ turns us inward… Stuffing ourselves with self, we are ushered into a corridor of self-pity with its close companions, misery and bitterness. The question ‘To what end?’ however, turns our hearts back to our kindhearted Father who bids us come, to trust in Him, to rest in His promise that though sadness and grief, pain and hardship are ever with us now, He sees and is all the time working powerfully toward ends that are good, ends that are more beautiful and impossible than we could ever imagine… Rather than take the position of accuser, which leads us to discouragement and despair, we must set our eyes on Jesus and the ends for which He calls us.”
This is a gem of a book with a gospel-centered message from an author who knows pain and grief but has put it in its proper place. I highly recommend.
Two other books similar to this one that I loved:
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop- shares his story of grief in light of the biblical example of lament.
It’s Not Supposed to be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst- shares her pain with beautiful pottery analogies: sometimes we must be shattered to be made into something new
Here are a few more quotes from Where I End:
“In our distress, we either find solace by remembering who we need and to whom we belong, or we choose the path of despair, refusing to be gathered into the arms of the Father.”
“God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn’t…He always knew that my temple was a house of cards. His only way of making me realize the fact was to knock it down.” - C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
“Hope is the continuance, the expression of faith. It’s not the same as optimism where one closes her eyes, covers her ears, and thinks positive thoughts. Hope does not double as wishing, the whimsical tossing of pennies into a fountain. Forced or contrived ‘hope’ exposes its inferior underbelly with hope for rain, hope the cake turns out, that we miss traffic, or ‘have a good day’, biblical goodness is far more concrete. (Heb 11:1) Biblical hope speaks to the believer of assurance and expectation.”
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
“You will have found Christ when you are concerned with other people’s suffering and not your own.” - Flannery O’Connor
“There are moments in life when we must all come to terms with our smallness and fragility. Moments of truth when our hearts are recalibrated. Trifling anxieties and fears we’ve been collecting and hoarding lose their color. Folly is laid bare. The shallows of our heart make way for the deep. Our need for mercy and for someone to come and rescue us is brought into the light. In these moments, we are not, as some might presume, ashamed. Quite the opposite. Shedding the falsehood of autonomy and self-sufficiency, we can receive the love of Jesus and of others.”
Check out my other book reviews on my blog Shelf Reflection!
March 10, 2018
Quadriplegic. You hear the word and it pricks your heart. You struggle to wrap your head around the concept of someone no longer being able to use either of their arms or legs, especially when you hear that this particular quadriplegic is a healthy, young 32-year-old woman with a husband and two small children, and her entire life ahead of her.
Questions swirl in your head as you contemplate what this poor woman must've went through. What would you do if you were told you would never be able to walk again? That life as you had once known would cease to exist and that this nightmare that you're now living would be your new normal? That you may not ever get to wrap your arms around your children or even open a bag of potato chips unassisted. Would you hold onto your faith or would you lose it? It seems unreal but this is exactly what happened to Katherine Elizabeth Clarke on May 29, 2009.
Where I End is Kate's journey through the ordeal that brought her to this new normal: a freak accident on an elementary school playground in Grand Rapids, Michigan, all the way through her rehabilitation and miraculous recovery, walking after being told she would never walk again. Beautiful written and heartbreaking, Kate takes you through the accident, where a little boy jumped off a jungle gym and landed on her neck, severing her spinal cord, through her 40 day stay in a rehabilitation faculty, and the challenges that she continues to face to this day now that she is home. Interwoven throughout her story, Kate ties in Biblical doctrine that either mirrors what she endured or the thoughts that she thought during that time in her life.
Each chapter begins with a quote from another literary work which I found quite charming. Though I love all of the Biblical references, and how everything she went through ties back to Jesus, I must admit that I did get a little lost in it all. It was a lot of back and forth from her story to the stories from the Bible. I have had a lot going on in my personal life lately so maybe it just wasn't the right season for me to be reading this particular book.
All in all, I am glad I did get the chance to read Where I End. Kate's story gives hope to those who feel hopeless and is a great reminder that God is here for us no matter what and does hear our prayers.
"In an instant, all of life can change. Sometimes it's because of a decision that we've made. At times it's thrust upon us by the choice of another. And other times it's just the result of living in this broken world."
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
Questions swirl in your head as you contemplate what this poor woman must've went through. What would you do if you were told you would never be able to walk again? That life as you had once known would cease to exist and that this nightmare that you're now living would be your new normal? That you may not ever get to wrap your arms around your children or even open a bag of potato chips unassisted. Would you hold onto your faith or would you lose it? It seems unreal but this is exactly what happened to Katherine Elizabeth Clarke on May 29, 2009.
Where I End is Kate's journey through the ordeal that brought her to this new normal: a freak accident on an elementary school playground in Grand Rapids, Michigan, all the way through her rehabilitation and miraculous recovery, walking after being told she would never walk again. Beautiful written and heartbreaking, Kate takes you through the accident, where a little boy jumped off a jungle gym and landed on her neck, severing her spinal cord, through her 40 day stay in a rehabilitation faculty, and the challenges that she continues to face to this day now that she is home. Interwoven throughout her story, Kate ties in Biblical doctrine that either mirrors what she endured or the thoughts that she thought during that time in her life.
Each chapter begins with a quote from another literary work which I found quite charming. Though I love all of the Biblical references, and how everything she went through ties back to Jesus, I must admit that I did get a little lost in it all. It was a lot of back and forth from her story to the stories from the Bible. I have had a lot going on in my personal life lately so maybe it just wasn't the right season for me to be reading this particular book.
All in all, I am glad I did get the chance to read Where I End. Kate's story gives hope to those who feel hopeless and is a great reminder that God is here for us no matter what and does hear our prayers.
"In an instant, all of life can change. Sometimes it's because of a decision that we've made. At times it's thrust upon us by the choice of another. And other times it's just the result of living in this broken world."
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
January 12, 2018
In Where I End, Katherine Elizabeth Clark shares a chance accident, a moment in time, that altered her life and the lives of her family members forever. She describes and analyzes the event and her journey to healing from the viewpoint of a Christian. Although she did not have a “leap to her feet dancing” experience, she did eventually regain the ability to walk, which her surgeon regarded as a miracle: “I can take no credit. God did this.”
Although Kate is left with residual, fairly dramatic difficulties and constant pain, her progress has been remarkable. As she shares her story, she relates how God worked in her life through family, friends and strangers who ministered to her. She tells of the humiliation and frustration of being unable to do even the simplest things for herself. Before the accident Kate was employed as a writer by a Christian organization so her prose is excellent and well thought out and her ideas are clearly expressed. She backs up her theological positions with Scripture references and quotes from Biblical scholars. She shares her story not to put a focus on herself, but on Jesus, who was and is with her through the trials and pain of the accident, surgery, rehabilitation and daily renewal of her hope and trust.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Moody Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Although Kate is left with residual, fairly dramatic difficulties and constant pain, her progress has been remarkable. As she shares her story, she relates how God worked in her life through family, friends and strangers who ministered to her. She tells of the humiliation and frustration of being unable to do even the simplest things for herself. Before the accident Kate was employed as a writer by a Christian organization so her prose is excellent and well thought out and her ideas are clearly expressed. She backs up her theological positions with Scripture references and quotes from Biblical scholars. She shares her story not to put a focus on herself, but on Jesus, who was and is with her through the trials and pain of the accident, surgery, rehabilitation and daily renewal of her hope and trust.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Moody Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2017
What would go through your mind if you were suddenly unable to do anything for yourself? Shame, humility, pride? Katherine Elizabeth Clark found out what happens when something like that occurs, and shares her story in where i end.
After a tragic accident that left her paralyzed, Katherine Clark was taken out of the world of activity that she was used to. Normal, everyday things, like playing with her kids, were now out of reach. She relates her journey, both physical and spiritual, and what she learned about God's presence.
One of the parts that stuck with me is how she didn't ask, "Why me," but "Why?" Wanting to know why we were "chosen" to have something happen to us is often the first question that arises, but that distracts us from something more important. Through the helplessness of the paralysis, and the continued dependence on others, Katherine Clark was able to learn how about God's faithfulness, and how He uses bad events to strengthen and teach us.
where i end is well written and a down to earth lesson in trusting God to be with us. She doesn't gloss over the fear and doubt that she felt, but shares her true thoughts and feelings. This book helps readers to see that tragedy, though not easy to go through, can be used by God for our good.
I received a free copy of the book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
After a tragic accident that left her paralyzed, Katherine Clark was taken out of the world of activity that she was used to. Normal, everyday things, like playing with her kids, were now out of reach. She relates her journey, both physical and spiritual, and what she learned about God's presence.
One of the parts that stuck with me is how she didn't ask, "Why me," but "Why?" Wanting to know why we were "chosen" to have something happen to us is often the first question that arises, but that distracts us from something more important. Through the helplessness of the paralysis, and the continued dependence on others, Katherine Clark was able to learn how about God's faithfulness, and how He uses bad events to strengthen and teach us.
where i end is well written and a down to earth lesson in trusting God to be with us. She doesn't gloss over the fear and doubt that she felt, but shares her true thoughts and feelings. This book helps readers to see that tragedy, though not easy to go through, can be used by God for our good.
I received a free copy of the book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2018
Where I End by Katherine Elizabeth Clark tells the redemptive story of an unbelievable
accident that happens on a school playground that causes the paralysis of the author. I have never read a book quite like this before. The author shares not only her journey, but she has so much faith and biblical knowledge, that she also shares with her readers. The author is inspirational in telling her life story from the point of the accident forward. The author shares details of her rehabilitation along with her families' support throughout her journey.
In addition to telling a story about her life the author also shares her religious faith and how the bible has helped her to cope. She shares many bible verses that are interspersed throughout the novel. I enjoyed this part of the novel immensely. Ms. Clark has a talent for picking the best verses to show her faith as her life continues post accident. Anyone who is struggling with their faith and/or their health would absolutely benefit from reading this novel.
If there were anything that I might change I believe that, at times, there were too many bible verses in certain sections of the novel. The number of verses interfered with the reading of the major plot. This, however, is a small criticism and I would, absolutely read this novel again.
I will pray for Ms. Clark as she continues on her life journey
accident that happens on a school playground that causes the paralysis of the author. I have never read a book quite like this before. The author shares not only her journey, but she has so much faith and biblical knowledge, that she also shares with her readers. The author is inspirational in telling her life story from the point of the accident forward. The author shares details of her rehabilitation along with her families' support throughout her journey.
In addition to telling a story about her life the author also shares her religious faith and how the bible has helped her to cope. She shares many bible verses that are interspersed throughout the novel. I enjoyed this part of the novel immensely. Ms. Clark has a talent for picking the best verses to show her faith as her life continues post accident. Anyone who is struggling with their faith and/or their health would absolutely benefit from reading this novel.
If there were anything that I might change I believe that, at times, there were too many bible verses in certain sections of the novel. The number of verses interfered with the reading of the major plot. This, however, is a small criticism and I would, absolutely read this novel again.
I will pray for Ms. Clark as she continues on her life journey
August 19, 2017
this is just such an amazing book to read, as i was going on i shared this with my family as the messages about gods love and guidance were so amazing to read. my favourite part in this book was when the author decided to bring up the issue of suffering and evil, in discussing it she revealed something to me that touched my heart, that without god the world is chaotic, and evil can't be understood because of its chaotic nature. following the author through this struggle and the miracle that god performed in her life taught me so much and helped to reaffirm for me how Amazing God is to us.
this book also helped me through many struggles- none as bad as what the author went through- as the faith displayed i this book was amazing and heart toughing. i love how each section was inter cut with bible verse and quotes that were so relevant to the story line and so moving i am so impressed with how the author was able to blend everything so well together.
my only fault with this book was how fast it moves through the year and doesn't delve as deeply as i would like into each of the major events or into each stage of the treatment. but aside from that this was truly an amazing and inspirational read.
this book also helped me through many struggles- none as bad as what the author went through- as the faith displayed i this book was amazing and heart toughing. i love how each section was inter cut with bible verse and quotes that were so relevant to the story line and so moving i am so impressed with how the author was able to blend everything so well together.
my only fault with this book was how fast it moves through the year and doesn't delve as deeply as i would like into each of the major events or into each stage of the treatment. but aside from that this was truly an amazing and inspirational read.
August 13, 2017
`Where I End` is a memoir by author Katherine Elizabeth Clark. It tells of how she was injured in a freak accident at her child's school and how God is working in her life. The book is divided into five parts: The Fall, The Journey, The Miraculous, The Light, and The Way Home.
Katherine does not blame her incident on God, and she uses much scripture to back her thoughts up. There are also quotes from other writers at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite quote was `You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird).`
I was touched by compassion as I read some of the notes the 1st-grade class sent her. It was reassuring to read that God was working miracles in Katherine's life. Even the doctors were astonished. I hope the author writes a follow-up book so readers can continue to see how God is working in her life.
I would recommend this book to anyone going through a tough time, or fans of memoirs.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
Katherine does not blame her incident on God, and she uses much scripture to back her thoughts up. There are also quotes from other writers at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite quote was `You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird).`
I was touched by compassion as I read some of the notes the 1st-grade class sent her. It was reassuring to read that God was working miracles in Katherine's life. Even the doctors were astonished. I hope the author writes a follow-up book so readers can continue to see how God is working in her life.
I would recommend this book to anyone going through a tough time, or fans of memoirs.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
July 10, 2018
Katherine Clark's story moved me to deeper faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. What started out as a lovely afternoon at a playground became a horrific tragedy for her and her family. On the ground after a child jumped from a jungle gym falling on top of her, she really thought she would just get up. How wrong she was as she spent months in the hospital and in recovery with a diagnosis of quadriplegia. Her determination and strength in God created a miraculous advance in her dire prognosis. Scripture, prayers, and her resolution to walk again shored her up while unbelievable odds stacked up against her. Her experience proves the premise of knowing the Bible and its truths as it will prepare a person for whatever may come. Her foundation of faith, family, and dreams of the future lifted her beyond the impossible.
Where I End is inspiring and uplifting as this young mother rises above circumstances. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.
Where I End is inspiring and uplifting as this young mother rises above circumstances. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.
November 3, 2017
I feel bad giving this book a not-so-good review, but the narrative didn't seem to go anywhere. Sometimes it read like a memoir, sometimes a Bible study, sometimes a medical text. I couldn't track with where Katherine Clark wanted to take my mind, so the overall story was difficulty to get through.
I was provided an ARC through Netgalley
I was provided an ARC through Netgalley
January 20, 2018
I wanted to know more about her accident and recovery, less biblical preaching. It was very courageous to write about such a devastating accident but I had more questions when I finished the book.
*The GR connection was interesting.
*The GR connection was interesting.
December 30, 2018
Heartbreaking. A mom becomes paralyzed while playing with her child at the school during recess. I wish the book would've talked more about her journey and actual experiences and recovery. It was much more about her faith.
January 23, 2020
Enjoyed the story but did not enjoy the layout. It was more like a devotional and I had expected more of a biography. Easy read and the author used frequent relatable quotes from other authors.
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