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Miranda Worsley's avatar

I am very sorry that this trauma happened to you (I don’t know what it was and it’s not my business anyway but I am sorry as it was clearly deeply distressing)

Your substack is making a great impact on my reading life . I can’t remember how I discovered it but I am very glad that I did as it gives me an opportunity to do structured serious concentrating on great literature as I drop my son off to school and run the farm . And I thoroughly enjoy the comments too and like the sound of the writers of them. I haven’t visited the US since I was a teenager last millennium and so for me the comments open a window into a whole new society of readers.

Anyway, I wanted you to know that the new direction that your life has taken has made a positive difference to mine and I wish you every success with your substack and other work

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

Thank you so much do offering such affirmation and encouragement. I do trust that the Lord has brought me to this place. But it’s awfully nice that he has also brought some others to meet me here. 😊

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

*for

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Anna McCullough's avatar

Trauma and betrayal do have such a bracing effect. We learn who was never truly a friend. We learn that our most genuine friends love us even more deeply than we imagined. And we learn there was a whole new group of friends waiting beyond the trauma.

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

There sure was. 🙏

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Samantha Conrad's avatar

I prayed for you this morning. Praying that this retreat would help bring healing and that you would meet God during this time. Thank you for sharing your story of trauma and your journey to healing. You are not alone.

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

I did! And thank you for praying. God is so good.

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Amy Mantravadi's avatar

I hope you have a wonderful time of refreshment and renewal on your writing retreat! I am not on a writing retreat, but I am on a trip by myself in NYC: not the kind of seclusion that is generally thought to aid contemplation, but for me it is an inspiration. I was able to meet with Katelyn Beaty last night, which was amazing and so kind of her. We had a great discussion, and you came up (in a good way!), and we both expressed our best wishes for you. What you have experienced is not exactly duplicated in anyone else's experience, but there elements of it that are common to many. I pray that you will see the goodness of God in new and amazing ways.

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

Oh, how cool that you met Katelyn! So glad for that and for your trip! Wish I could have been there. But glad to be there in spirit!

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Richard Myerscough's avatar

Karen, I'm the kind of person for whom dates just stick, all sorts of dates, really odd and barely significant ones fill my mind. It's kinda bizarre. Just over five years ago we went through a traumatic season that began (in a sort of climactic way) on a particular day. I expected that date to be seared on my soul for ever but ... although I could easily work it out if I so chose, it isn't a date I instinctively know now. I can only say, This is God's mercy. Truly. Praying you'll also know some distance, in time, from that wretched day. Also praying for your writing over these days - I know it's de rigueur to not ask a writer what they're working on (I'm always rather bashful about what I'm doing with a particular sermon) so I'll simply say looking forward to reading it in due course. Oh, and just for good measure, here's another Wendell Berry poem, one that posits hope in a world awry. Substitute dogs for horses if you so please :) https://thewaitingcountry.blogspot.com/2023/11/after-bitter-nights.html

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

Just getting a chance to read that Berry poem, Richard. It is achingly beautiful. And so very true. Please keep posting those poems!

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

That is such an interesting story. God truly works in mysterious ways in each of our individual ways according to our individual needs (that he knows better than we do!). And I take comfort in the fact that these experiences are “normal.” It’s all part of how God made us.

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Virginia Franklin's avatar

Karen, I know we have never met, but I feel like I know you to some extent, since I have been reading your writing for some time. I'm so sorry you were hurt and betrayed by those who should have loved and supported you. I'm praying that God will meet you in a special way at this retreat and will continue healing your wounds. From my own experience, the most beautiful things can come out of our brokenness when we allow God to heal us and use us, and I have no doubt He will do that with your writing and speaking. Thank you for your openness and vulnerability during this time of your life.

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

Thank you. It is good to be seen and known even as (believe it or not) I used to be such a private person! 😬 Thanks for coming alongside me even in virtual spaces. 🤍

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Eric Vess's avatar

Thank you for your honesty, vulnerability, and for sharing your story. Enjoy your retreat!

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Holly A.J.'s avatar

Thankful with you for such sweet reassurance. Rest well.

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

🙏

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Nov 21, 2023
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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

This is such a kind prayer and such kind words. Thank you.

I do have peace and contentment from the Lord. And I am surrounded by people who love me and appreciate my gifts. I think through all this I am learning to appreciate this from persons rather than institutions and places of power.

I do trust the Lord to make a way for me and to bless my gifts as I use them for his glory.

But we still need to seek and beseech him. So thank you for doing so!

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Nov 14, 2023
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Miranda Worsley's avatar

Vodka? Caviar?

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Miranda Worsley's avatar

No idea how to delete this comment which makes no sense at all except as to relate to the previous comment .

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Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

😅

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