My Love.
This is Mandy, Zachary James Smith, went to be with Jesus at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday May 16th. He is no longer in pain. The cancer has lost and Jesus has the victory in all of this. The battle has been won. I know you all loved Zac, and his presence is missed in our home. Please pray for peace and comfort for my family, as we now figure out how to continue his story to the best of our ability. Watch out because those kids of ours, well let’s just say they have a lot of wisdom from Zac in those little heads. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for them.
Death cannot take away what is already His. To God be the glory. Always.
-Mandy
I have cried tears today for a precious child of God that I have never met. God bless you Mandy and your children. I will continue to pray for you. This victory was won on the cross. Thank God for Zac and his touching ministry.
I read about Zac’s story this weekend after seeing Carlos Whittaker’s tweet. I watched the video and cried like a baby. I am a 29 year-old first time father to be in a month. Watching his story, courage and ability to see the good in the bad has been on my heart all day long. To say that three minute video was a life changing moment may be an understatement. I want to be a man like Zac was. A man that looks obstacles dead in the face and says “Bring it.”
I am heartbroken for you and your family right now. I will be praying for you guys as you move to a new chapter in your life. For me though, your husband’s life has been an inspiration to mine and has demanded that I become the man Zac Smith was.
My heart breaks for your sweet family. Praying for peace and understanding over the next few days. God is good!
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Mandy, You don’t know me and I don’t know much about you except through Zac’s testimony and some things I’ve read on this site. We are walking a similar road though. My wife was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in January and passed on to glory in February. Please know that I will pray for you and for your children. Zac’s testimony has been a great encouragement to me.
I will be praying for you and your family.Your husband has touched alot of people and for that we are better husbands and fathers.God Bless.
Know that I am praying.
Mandy – you don’t know me but you and the kids are being prayed for right now. What an inspiration you all have been to us! And what an awesome testimony your children can share with others for years to come.
I am so sorry for your loss. Zac’s life was a blessing to me. I will be praying for you all.
It is truly amazing to the number of people’s lives that God allowed Zac to touch while he graced us on this Earth.
Zac always was doing something always amazing for us whether it was work related, personally related or family related. I never once heard Zac complain if things weren’t going well at work. I always knew he would have something insightful and witty to make us all feel a little better about the uncertainties of life.
Zac is what I want to be, a better friend, a better husband, a better father, but most of all, a better Child of God.
Zac will never be gone from our hearts and from our minds. A piece of him lives on in every single person he touched, no matter if it were through this blog or in person. At least we had him for a time – now, God gets the good stuff…
Mandy,
I didn’t know Zac, but watching his faith increase and Christ’s love pour out from him in his writing was joy to watch. I only wish that a victory in this life had been the outcome. But Christ is risen from the dead and has trampled down death by death! Thank you for sharing that the ultimate healing has come to him.
I pray now for your family and the journey you all are on. May God bless you!
Mandy,
One of Zac’s relatives pointed me toward “letter to Zac” last fall. I have read the blogs and learned so much about this amazing young man. I’ve told many people of his life and pointed them to this site. So many of us go thru life living daily what God gives us of His blessings; we pass thru and wonder what impact our lives may make on this world. Perhaps God said “Have you considered my servant Zachary”. Thru all of this Zac showed us how to live with the “good gifts” that God allows. Zac’s life and death will have a far reaching impact in this world…just like Jim Elliot….lives young and old will be forever changed. Souls will be saved, ministries begun…for years to come. Right now I’m hearing “I can only imagine” on the radio…and am rejoicing thru my tears for the life of Zachary Smith. I am praying for your precious family…
Never knew Zac personally, but would have wanted to. Zac challenged me to be better at being a husband, father and an overall person. Praying for you and your kids. God has you in His arms.
Mandy…you don’t know me, but I have been following Zac’s blog and praying for you all. Hugs to you and your children.
della
Mandy-I have been following Zac’s blog now for about a year–ever since the diagnosis and let me just say, what an encouragment he has been to me in my struggles with trying to make sense of what God was doing in my own life. I am so grateful for Zac’s testimony. This blog (Zac) has ministered to me through a pretty difficult situation and I am a better person for it. I am praying for you and your family and I know that God has great things in store for you and your children.
God IS so good
I’m from Canada and don’t know you and never knew your husband except that I watched his video a number of weeks ago. I showed it to my wife as well.
It really put a lot of things in perspective and it was real. I appreciate the courage you both demonstrated to make this suffering public… You will likely never know just how many lives you both have touched. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His light to shine upon you. May He comfort you now and in the coming weeks and months. May He bless you children continually. Thank you.
In tears while sitting here, a Director of Digital Presence at a Christian radio station in Columbus, OH. I so related to much of what Zach has shared in the recent past. His life will make an impact on my life, and I most definitely will share it with many friends.
I’m praying for you now. May God bless your family. Thank you very much for having the courage to write this yesterday.
I never met Zac, only found and followed your family’s story via posts and videos. I am so greatful for what I have seen and heard through this situation. It brings me to tears every time because of the loss…and the beauty. So thank you to your family for sharing this time of your life. Chalk me up as another person changed forever by God through your amazing story.
Prayers.
Mandy,
I do not know you or Zac. I heard the news on Twitter of all places. Just wanted to tell you that this blog entry blessed my life more than you can imagine. Thanks for sharing your faith. I will pray for you and kids and I will look forward to meeting Zac one day in heaven.
Mandy:
I’m one of Zac’s Whiskerino brethren. His story, which is your story, has touched my heart and strengthened my faith in God. There is no greater value than that.
I’m sorry for your loss.
I attend the Greenville campus an remember seeing his life story video…how inspiring. I hope that if I am ever faced with something like what he faced that I will do so with wisdom from God an the peace that passes all understanding. I saw him serving during Unleash this year how amazing is that here was a person that had cancer BUT he did not let that stop him from serving. He had the ultimate Sunday celebration up in heaven. We will miss you Zac. My prayers are for you Mandy an your children an family that you will find refuge under Gods wings until this storm passes. Psalms 57 verses 1 & 2
Mandy
Zac and I never met but through his writing here he let me into a small part of his world for which I am so honored and humbled. I will contine to pray for you and the kids that you will feel his incredible comfort and his divine guidence as you walk on with Jesus.
My life has been so much richer to have caught a glimpse of God’s grace demonstrated so clearly in Zac’s life.
Billy
Hi Mandy,
I am so sorry for your loss! I found out yesterday and my mind just kept going to Zac, to you and your kids. I couldn’t help to think about you and what impact your family has had on me and so many people.
I was in a service at a church we were consulting with, and he was talking about illness, about complaining, about not making an impact on people in our lives and he had no illustration an I couldn’t help but to think that Zac’s story could have driven his point home. I plan to use his story when I return to roll out the changes and address the congregation. I believe his story will soften the hearts of so many people who think that church is all about them, and what legacy they will leave in their church.
Your husband was a great man of God! His life has and wlll continue to impact lives for years to come. His legacy in the church, In your family is one that most people cannot even touch.
I have and will continue to pray peace over you and your children. I will be there today at the memorial on-line which is oh so fitting given Zac’s impact in the web campus implementation.
Mandy.. I don’t know you and you don’t know me.. I follow Perry Noble on Twitter and heard about your husband’s untimely death Sunday. What an amazing man.. The video of him and your story moved me.. NO shook me.. I’m 35 with 2 girls and a son on the way.. Can’t even for a second wrap my brain around the thought of not being there as they grow up.. So tragic.. But, you’re right Jesus has the victory and Zac has won..
I will be praying for you guys from a far and wishing the best for you and your kids.
Love God. Embrace Beauty. Live Life To The Fullest.
Scott
I’m praying for you, Mandy, and for the kids. I am a mother of 3 (newest one due in November) and my husband and I minister overseas. I can’t begin to imagine what you may be feeling, but I pray that our Father will bring people into you life to walk with you and your children. Thank you for ministering to me, even when it’s through a short 4 minute video.
Natalia, from Brazil
internet is amazing, and it has brought your family’s story to my family.
we are praying for you guys! God bless you all!!
We’re gonna meet in Heaven, im sure ! hope someday i ca hug you all & tell how deep you guys touched my life.
sorry my bad english!
To God be the Glory. always
Hey Mandy and Kids: you do not know us personally, but your story has changed us in big ways. Our thoughts, love and prayer is with you in Jesus name and by His power. Thank you for the powerful witness.
Mandy & family,
I don’t even remember who directed me to Zac’s site & the video that was so hard & so wonderful to see all at once. Know that you all have been & will continue to be in my prayers whenever God lays you on my heart. May He richly bless you as you continue to follow after him.
I’d say you’re continuing his story already. I’ve been thanking God for getting to see Zac’s and your strength. It’s been unbelievably inspirational.
Things happen for a reason, and my experience seeing from afar Zac’s faith and seeing how he impacted lives has helped me grow in my relationship with God and learn so much more about who Jesus is.
I am just one person who has taken something immeasurably significant from you all. Zac’s time on Earth has not gone to waste at all. His story is still making a difference. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Amazing story and incredible testimony of our Savior! I am praying fervently for you and your family.
Your lives are such a testimony to me. Your faith and courage and strength inspire me more than words can express. I am so grateful that God allowed me to know Zach for a portion of my life and to see the wonderful family that surrounds him. God truly looked down on him on Sunday and put his arms around him and said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Mandy,
You don’t know me, but I have followed Zac’s story for a while. Came to know about Zac through Alden.
Zac’s story is amazing and calls every Dad and Husband to stand up and walk the way he did. I love seeing how God used him till the very end. The legacy he will leave is powerful!
I pray that you guys will find peace in your home as you walk out the next few days and weeks to follow. May your children find understanding and joy at the same time, that they will one day have their Daddy again.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
I had cancer once, and then it was gone, and now it is back. Mine isn’t as “bad” as Zac’s, but I have been very thankful for the chance to watch him walk with faith through the second round of cancer, and even to his death. My heart breaks for your family, and there is nothing to say but “for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26) Thanks for sharing Zac with all of us online through these last months. God’s glory shone from your family very brightly through this suffering.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Mandy, Your husband’s faith continues to inspire me. I am praying for you and your family.
[...] news on Sunday as Zac Smith passed away in South Carolina. Here’s his story. And here’s his wife’s response on his blog. Pray for the [...]
praise God for His faithfulness and love that has been overflowing in your lives!
…’better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere.”
Zac’s life impacted me, along with thousands of people, including some he never even knew. I have been reading and following Zac’s blog for a long time. He challenged our daily walk , there and in the example of his life.
I am thankful to have know him in this way, And as a NewSpring member/ volunteer I was honored to have met him and chatted a couple of times.
My wife and I , our homegroup, the production team as well as the entire church family will continue to remember you and the family in our prayers.
Praise God for His faithfulness and goodness! I love you Mandy and I am honored to have known you and Zac both. “Your response determines your future” is a quote from a book I am currently reading. All I can say is that I have seen such a godly response from you through this last year. I am thanking God for the wisdom and understanding, the revelation and the knowlege you are displaying for all to see how GOOD GOD IS! Amen! I champion you my friend and I am always here…..
that is knowledge…. =)
Zac was an inspiration. Thanks for sharing with us. Deep sympathy to you and your family.
I will be praying for you and your children during this time. I volunteer in Shockwave during the service your daughter attends. God bless you and your children today.
Mandy,
I’m so very sorry to see this news. I promise to continue to pray for you and the kids as hard as we have been for Zac. This blog has changed my view on a lot of things and Zac’s legacy is one of strength, hope and true devotion to the Lord. I’m thankful for his example. God’s blessings, strength and peace to your family.
Please listen to Chris Rice’s song ‘Breakfast Table’.
I know you will find comfort in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NhAdDhWpxY
I will be praying for you and your children.
God be with you and in the blink of an eye, you will
all be together again.
Zac is safe in the arms of Jesus for now!
Blessings to you all.
We’re praying for you and your kids. Thank you for being so open about your love for God and faith in his purposes.
May Christ be especially near to you and your children in these coming days and months. Your husband was a faithful servant to Him.
“The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.”
-Aslan, “The Last Battle” by C.S. Lewis
I never knew your family, but saw your husband’s video testimony and words cannot express how much it impacted me. What a life well -lived – such a powerful witness. Praying for you and your family through what must be an incredibly difficult time.
God Bless
My husband and I are praying for you and your precious kids. Although I didn’t know Zac, but I was there that night we as a church prayed over him. I never cried so hard. His story touched me and I have shared it many times on facebook hoping it will touch my family and friends. I’m sadden by this but at the same time he is with Jesus and healed!! And that right there puts a smile back on my face! From what I’ve read of Zac’s blog and writings, God most deff looked down at him and said..“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” So to God be the Glory ALWAYS and know we are praying for you and your family. Much love to you all.
Melissa and Bobby Taylor
know you don’t know us, but I have followed your blog and prayed for your family. I was very sorry to hear of Zach’s passing. We are praying for your family.
Mandy & Your children,
You don’t know me, but I had a chance to meet Zac once not too long ago & all I can say is WOW!! What a man! A real man, a man of courage, a man of conviction, a man of humility, a man who loved his wife and kids so much, and a man who was passionate about Jesus! I long to be a man like that. I thank you as I thanked him the day I met him for being willing to share his story. I lift you and your children up in prayer everyday & know that on the days when it feels too much to handle, WE (your loving community) are holding you high to the one who stands with you in that moment. Yes Zac has been healed of the pain, and one day we will all get to rejoice together with him fully restored! Thank you for your courage. Ty