Long Time Coming (27 page)

1. In the beginning of the book the reader discovers that Deidre is keeping a secret from her husband. That secret nearly destroys their marriage. Do you think it is ever okay for spouses to keep secrets? If so, why?

2. Life was hard for Kenisha Smalls, but it became worse after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Did reading Kenisha's story make you question God as she did? If so, what answers did you come away with?

3. Deidre Clark-Morris and Kenisha Smalls live in two different worlds, but their shared heartache and pain bring them together. The two women get to a point in their friendship where they stop judging and learn to accept each other, flaws and all. Have you ever judged the outward appearance of a person without taking the time to discover who they really are? How do you think God feels about our ability to judge the very people he is trying to deliver and set free?

4. Kenisha blamed herself for her sister's death and thought that cancer was her punishment from God. What do you think? Does God punish us with sickness and disease?

5. Deidre knew she couldn't have children but she was resistant to Johnson's suggestions about adopting. What do you think was holding Deidre back?

6. Deidre kept trying to get Christ's message of love and redemption across to Kenisha, but Kenisha wasn't receiving that message. Do you think Kenisha had a hard time receive such a message from Deidre because of the deceptive way Deidre treated her relationship with Johnson? Or do you believe Kenisha wouldn't have been able to receive this message of hope from anyone until the time was right?

7. In the end, Kenisha discovered the great reward that is promised to those who love God. She was in no more pain—only joy filled her days. Did this help you to see that even though God's ways are different from our ways, the end result is better than we could ever imagine? Or would you have preferred a different ending to this story?

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