Comments on: Revealing Structure

By: Denise Beckman

Denise Beckman — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:42:39 +0000

I just happened on your site today and saw that you and I have something in common. I am a 10 year survivor of thyroid cancer. I also had it in my lymph nodes at the time and I vividly remember waiting to go hypo enough to get the treatment you need. I had a two year old at the time and had my second daughter 2 years after my diagnosis. Your post brought back many of the feelings I had– resolve to beat the disease, dread at the process, and the physical strain of it. And yes, it is worth it and in a few months will seem so far away. I am a believer as well and I know that God carried me and will carry you and your family as well.
God bless you–
Denise

By: Austen Sandifer Williams

Austen Sandifer Williams — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:18:34 +0000

Angie-

You don’t know me. I used to know Brian in college…he drove me to church my freshman year. Through facebook, I learned about your struggles and checked out this blog. I am so heartened by your spirit, your hope, optimism, and faith. I have lived with and cared for a loved one with cancer, so I have some idea of the pain and heartache associated with the fight for health. And I am so grateful to read this blog and see the grace of God shine through in your writings.

I write today to let you know that I have been praying for you, and I will continue to pray for you and your family. In fact, when you were in surgery (a month ago?), my church in California prayed for you. You are not alone in your journey, even in moments when you feel isolated. And even when you perceive darkness, the light of Christ is there.

May God bless you and keep you, and may God’s grace continue to shine upon you and give you peace.

Sincerely,

Austen

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:02:28 +0000

Sweet Angie,
I know the darkness of depression, and I am so sorry that you have to walk through it! But I also know that God will use it to teach you to cling to him more closely, and that there is great joy when depression lifts. Thank God that this is only for a season, and that you can be sure this depression will lift. If you ever need to talk or cry, or anything, just call!!! I love you!

Ems

By: Kristen@nosmallthing

Kristen@nosmallthing — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:08:57 +0000

Angie, I can feel the darkness in your writing. I am so sorry that you will be plagued by this. You will be in my prayers, and in my thoughts. Love and friendship to you…

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:27:40 +0000

Praying for you Angie!

By: Judie Young

Judie Young — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:56:56 +0000

My precious Angie, my daughter in the Lord,

This is truly a firey ordeal, but it is not strange. We can appraise it by the word of God and what comes from it is an eternal weight of glory. To walk in the crucified life is a blind walk, but His eye is on us and His word is a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet.

My heart is with you. His joy is your strength. We must go on and never turn back, for at the end we will find Him.

Much love to you,
Judie

By: The Roost

The Roost — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:29:29 +0000

I am praying for you my sweet friend as you walk through these next weeks! Although there is heartache in your writing it is very beautiful and hopeful! That is what shines through and will in the end stand strong above the pain and agony, I am sure!

By: Rochelle

Rochelle — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:42:14 +0000

Praying that the Light of our Heavenly Father’s infinite love for YOU, will seep in and conquer every dark thought! May He strengthen you in every way you need Him to! Holding you up!

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:29:46 +0000

Having known depression, I will pray against those thoughts that can so easily burden the mind and heart. May you be able to distinguish LIES from TRUTHS. I’ll get you started with some truths– Through Jesus, You are worthy! Through Jesus, You are beautiful! And most of all, By Jesus, You are loved! You are loved so so much.

By: Julie Pizzino

Julie Pizzino — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:55:07 +0000

Angie, again your transparency leads me to want to be more transparent myself rather than cover over my own restlessness, darkness, and troubled spirit in my own trials. Last August I heard David Powlison teach on Ps. 131, “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”
I wish I could remember and recount all he taught (maybe you could find it online at the Worship God 08 website…it was profound), but a weaned child is content to just BE with her mother. Our Christ is our Immanuel, God with us, who desires us to find that it is enough that He is with us. Susan sent me a Beth Moore quote today: “Why does God allow us to spend so much of life in the heat of battle? Because He never meant for us to sip His Spirit like a proper cup of tea. He meant for us to hold our sweating heads over the fountain and lap up His life with unquenchable thirst.” Oh, may He be the Light in your darkness. And do you realize that your blog entries often read like psalms, with you honestly describing your fears and darkness, culminating in, as today, “…I have made my choice…” Just like the Psalmist’s “Yet will I trust Him.” You are following in a worthy line of saints gone on before, who found Him enough in their darkness. Let’s trust Him together. There is life in that seed buried in the dark, in the mud, alone…and spring is coming, dear Angie.