This post is to say thank you.
Because for seven months now I have battled to get back to some semblance of what I was before. My blogging has been sputtery. Yet many of you still swing by.
The once free flowing river of replies to comments have had some busy beavers dam things up. So instead of replying to the massively backlogged comments, I thought I’d reply directly to you.
My comments to my Deep into Love commenters, which started here, pick up where they left off…
Nancy…
You’re not a blogger.
I still remember your first comment.
I know your e-mail address almost as well as I know your name.
You have been an encouragement to me in more ways than you can know. Thank you for those morsels about treasures in the darkness – they were perfect.
Talking long still sounds terrific.
Katie, from Hope in God Forever
I haven’t been by your blog since you got away from that other blogging platform – sorry.
I remember every bit of your story…
having read it more than once…more than twice.
You’ve done lots of pushing the proverbial rock up the hill.
Despite that (and maybe because of it) you are strong and resilient.
You’ve given me great advice. I’m in your corner…and so is our God.
(p.s. you have been prayed for – I get it)
Susan, author of The Fisher Lady
You know I’d love to write poetry the way that you do.
By now, you also know that I can match neither your poetry nor your wisdom.
You balance words on grace notes.
And you’ve stuck around…
even these last seven months…
as I’ve been barely above water – thank you.
Dawn from Daschondog’s Blog
I remember at the start of those seven days with no sleep – and after. You diagnosed me better than the doctors I was seeing. I’m sure, in part, due to your medical training, but probably more due to your heart.
You almost immediately discerned that path out of my rabbit hole would be more rugged and strenuous than I originally thought – and you were right.
You’re right about a few other things too.
You know way too many secrets about me.
If I were the CIA…well…you know. : )
(but not to worry – I’m not even a member of this CIA)
Laska the Love Kitty sends his love to the muttlies – me too.
So many of you have been so constantly awesome…
the most delightful parts of my blogging experience.
I can’t thank you enough.
But I can try.
There is more.
Please come back.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Even in your darkest hours you can be comforted in knowing that you have nourished many hearts with your wisdom and gentle guidance. I believe that the best is yet to come from your writing, even while it is wrung from your heart with painful struggle. We are standing with you, Craig, and praying for you daily.
Oh Craig you have been a friend to me in my hard times. Thank you for all the encouragement and prayers. You and several others see me as strong. I don’t. I am weak, and it is Christ in me who is strong. 🙂
I actually kind of love this idea of responding to comments in a post.
Happy to see you here today. Reading. Writing. I’m praying for you.
Craig, thank you. you know how to punch right through to the heart. i am humbly flattered to know i have encouraged you. i am always uplifted by your words and will return here again. God bless you, my Friend.
Craig, I love your soft and thankful heart! Even in the midst of your own battles and storms, you are an encourager and a person who knows how to help others stay in the ruts of the paths that are right and true. You have always been down to earth, reality based, see things like they are, and accept us all where we are. That’s why we keep coming back! I’ve always consider this a “safe place” where I can open doors I wouldn’t open other places. I don’t have to put on a mask with a happy face. I always think of Amy Carmichael and her poem, “Hast thou no scar?” Those who have no scars just don’t get it, do they? So here we are, all limping along together, holding each other up, and bringing each other always back to the cross! I always pray for you, Craig! Especially when I can’t sleep and I know you are probably staring at the ceiling yourself. Isn’t it great we can meet at His feet as we leave our burdens there????!!!! Thank you for being here, for toughing it out, and for being an example of what God does with and through our weaknesses. You’ve made me a stronger person for it all!
Caora says it well…I also consider this a safe place 🙂
Friendship is a treasure to guard and tend to like a garden growing, both fruitful and lifegiving.
We are all that to each other… sort of a miracle really having that we have, many of us, not actually seen each other ever. Faith, hope and love … these three endure. None rely on vision but something unexplainable in God’s making us in His image. We will find rest for our soul because ‘He’ is our Kinsman Redeemer, and ‘He’ sees us and will come to us. Though the world may say He is tardy or uninterested, our spirits bear witness with His Spirit of a real truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God… absolutely nothing.
I continue to pray with you for sweet release into rest and serene peace, “HERE, in the land of the living… that your joy may be full. Bless you dear brother in the Lord