1. How many times does honeysuckle appear in the story? What does its increasing presence symbolize?
2. God is the Master of irony. How many instances of irony can you find in this story?
3. Ian’s inability to forgive affected his relationship with God. How might praying for an offender or an enemy bring you closer to God?
4. When Ian and Emily met, they felt an instant attraction to each other. But was it truly instant? How did years of correspondence affect Ian and Emily’s ability to fall in love? Is it possible to know a person and their character through letters/email well enough to engage in a relationship? Why or why not?
5. Though Emily’s fears kept her from getting involved in romantic relationships, she hesitated to find out if she had the illness. Why did Emily avoid learning the truth?
6. Emily vowed to save her first kiss for her husband out of a desire to keep her heart from feeling “tied” to someone she might not marry. What harm is there, if any, in engaging in physical intimacy and creating emotional bonds with multiple people?
7. Could you relate to Emily’s fears? Ian’s bitterness? Do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
8. How did getting lost in the woods symbolize Emily’s life? What impact did that realization have on her choices later on?
9. How does Ian’s attitude toward Maggie change? Did she acknowledge this change?
10. How did Grace and Maggie’s physical or mental limitations affect their relationship when they were reunited? How did being together bring out each woman’s strengths?
11. What part did Emily’s faith in God play in her decision to withdraw from her loved ones? How would you respond in Emily’s situation?
12. Ian believed he could be strong for Emily and that she should lean on him, but that belief changed. What caused that change? What affect did it have on Ian’s desire to win Emily?
13. Have you ever been challenged to let go of your greatest desire, or to face your worst fear? How did you handle it? After reading this story, would you do it differently?
14. Did any part of the story make you stop and think about your own life or your faith in God? If so, what part and why? Did this lead to an awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?