I am a member of the Social Concerns Committee (SCC) at my church. Our main goal is to reach out and help others who are members of our church, those in and around the area where our church is located, and even others in many parts of the world. It is one of the most amazing ministries on the planet! The SCC has two people who lead this ministry. I want to briefly tell you the story of one of these wonderful women and what has transpired in her life over the past several months.
Approximately two and half months ago, Kathy was given the news that she has cancer. Any person who is given this news reacts to the situation he or she is faced with in a number of different ways. Some of the emotions and feelings that may arise include anger, sadness, resentment, fear, loneliness, guilt, fear, shock, anxiety, or disbelief. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, then you may have felt or experienced one or more of these.
I do not know exactly what Kathy is going through. I have never experienced having been given the news that I have cancer in my body. I will not even pretend to say that I understand what this is like and how one feels when a person is battling cancer. I do know this. Kathy is an amazing person when it comes to doing the best she can with her situation on a daily basis, mainly through her very strong belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Having known Kathy for a number of years working together on the SCC and following her leadership in this ministry, I know this to be true.
The following is an excerpt from a message that Kathy included in our church’s bulletin a couple of weeks ago: “My friends, I have gone from ‘normal’ to disabled and terminally ill in a period of two months. And yet, I have no fear, no anxiety, no anger, no depression – that my friends is the miracle of our faith! I have peace and joy in the middle of my storm; in the midst of the darkness. What greater gift!”
When I first read this excerpt from Kathy’s message, I became very emotional and I had tears in my eyes. It is an amazing testimony that in the midst of this major storm in her life, Kathy is relying on her faith to help her with living each day and looking at her situation in a way that many people probably would not even think about doing. Her sentiments remind me of the lyrics from a Casting Crowns song:
“And I’ll praise You in this stormAnd I will lift my handsFor You are who You areNo matter where I amAnd every tear I’ve criedYou hold in Your handYou never left my sideAnd though my heart is tornI will praise You in this storm”
The bottom line is that Kathy is going through a very tough time right now. She needs our thoughts and prayers. Even though what she is confronted with every day may feel insurmountable at times, she has the strength and courage to face each day in such a different way. What an amazing testimony to her faith!