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Only When It's Dark Can We See the Stars: A Father's Journal as His Son Battles Cancer
Four Long Years: That’s the time from 12-year-old Julian’s diagnosis of leukemia until the van Popta family reaches the other side. All the while, dad kept a log chronicling in detail the arduous ordeal. Is there hope in the pitch-dark Valley of Baca? With his journal, you can travel with these pilgrims on their journey.
Since John is sharing his entries with extended family, friends and church members, you hear him reporting and reflecting as a pastor. He had encountered similar situations before, but such experience counts for little compared to facing cancer of a loved one firsthand. So you also sense how a father’s heart aches as his son suffers. And how he wrestles with wounded faith.
“When I held my son in my arms tonight, I wept.”
Since John is sharing his entries with extended family, friends and church members, you hear him reporting and reflecting as a pastor. He had encountered similar situations before, but such experience counts for little compared to facing cancer of a loved one firsthand. So you also sense how a father’s heart aches as his son suffers. And how he wrestles with wounded faith.
“When I held my son in my arms tonight, I wept.”
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 4, 2022
This hit very close to home. Exactly how it is.
August 20, 2022
As his son, Julian battled leukemia for four years, John sent regular emails to friends and family. This book is the compilation of all those updates. In reading this book, we travel with them through the Valley of Baca: Psalm 84. It's heart rending to read and yet, very encouraging. They felt the reality of GOD's grace through all those dark days.
I recently read a quote by Aeschylus which I think applies well: "In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."
Highly recommended.
I recently read a quote by Aeschylus which I think applies well: "In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews