Beauty in the Eyes of God, April 24
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Ashley Taylor
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14 NIV).
My appearance is not everything, but it is something. I have always been grateful for my hair, even when I was having a bad hair day or wishing for curly instead of straight hair. My hair is a part of me and a part of how people have known me.
When having hair is all you have ever known, it can be devastating to know you will lose it. And lose it I did in June 2019, as a result of chemo to treat my breast cancer.
My husband, James, and I had discussed that I wanted him to shave my head when my hair loss reached a certain point. My friend, Sarah, and my daughter, Hannah, helped me find the perfect wig. I had several head wraps ready as well. Before I had any signs of losing my hair, I was prepared. Bring it on! Ha!
I soon realized there was not any amount of preparation for how my hair would begin to come out, or how I would feel. To be honest, it was traumatic.
One evening, I washed my hair and began to comb it. The comb got STUCK in my hair. My hair that was falling out, hair trying to remain, and my comb were all intertwined into a hopelessly tangled mess.
I calmly struggled to free myself of the comb—without success. Hannah tried, too. I started to cry. My older daughter, Grace, called to check in, and stayed on the phone as we continued working. When James realized what was going on, he jumped in to help. He soon determined the only way out was to cut the comb out of my hair. I lost a lot of my hair, but I was free at last!
It was an amazing “God moment” for me! My heavenly Father knew just what I needed at this time—the four of us together with His awesome love surrounding us. I realized I was not ready to have my head shaved of all my hair. I needed more time.
As I processed this experience, God helped me remember that I am a child of God, made in His image. My hair does not define me. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14). I am unique and special to Him, with or without hair. And He reminded me that inner beauty is what is most important, not hair (see 1 Peter 3:3-4).
Soon after my gloriously bad hair day, God gave me the strength to be brave. I asked James to shave my head while Hannah held my hand. There were tears, but laughter too. James told me how beautiful I looked. Afterwards, I scattered my hair in our yard with the hope that the birds might use some of it for building their homes.
I still had moments when it was hard to cope with my hair loss, but I knew that God would keep lifting me up through the love and support of my family and friends. He was there to walk this journey with me.
Pray: Amazing and gracious God, I thank You for always loving me, with or without hair, and for always being there for my family and me. Help us all to remember You made us “fearfully and wonderfully,” and that true beauty comes from within. Amen.
Your Turn: These verses mean a lot to me: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV). What do they say to you?
Ashley Taylor, Cancer Survivor
Ashley is married to James, and they have two daughters, Grace and Hannah. All four are big Tar Heel fans, having attended the same school, UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2020 Ashley obtained her roofing license to help with her family's business. She is a breast cancer survivor. She has been grateful for the opportunity to join the devo team for Cancer Companions, to reach out to others for God’s glory for His goodness in her cancer journey.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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