Our Calling, February 17
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Ashley Taylor
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV).
Jesus calls His people to love Him with heart, mind, soul, and strength. We are to love one another and to share God’s love by serving others. Each of us is to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus to others, which can be seen in our verse today: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.”
It has always made my heart happy to do for others. Preparing a meal for someone who has had surgery, or a family who has had a baby or lost a loved one brings me great joy. I enjoy sending cards and sharing scripture in happy times and difficult times. I am ready to listen if someone needs to talk, to laugh or to cry. Being on the receiving end has never been as easy for me. I do not want to worry anyone, be a bother, or have the attention on me. I want to be strong and be there for others. Jesus always has something to teach us out of our circumstances if we are willing to listen, and He definitely had a lesson for me to learn on my cancer journey. We all need to be givers and receivers of Jesus’ love, so we can be nurtured by His love and continue growing in our faith.
My dear friend, Sarah, suggested setting up a meal train when we found out I would need chemo and further surgery for my breast cancer treatment. James and I talked and decided we would try to handle meals during chemo, but ask for help after my double mastectomy. However, Jesus always knows best. The chemo journey began, and we were managing meals—but not without added stress. I had not known the extent of what chemo would do to my body. In the beginning, a few friends called and said they would like to bring a meal. We were so grateful for these wonderful meals and the break from worrying about mealtime. Our family could relax and enjoy this time together.
Okay Jesus, I hear You. I realized I needed to allow “the faithful stewards of God’s grace” to help us. Sarah started the meal train earlier than planned. We experienced the love of Jesus through these meals and visits from our friends. It touched my heart so much when friends from a bridge club I belonged to years back brought two meals. Friends from my Bible study group and my garden club, our church, our neighborhood, other close friends, and family shared the love of Jesus with us. I learned that I am called to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus, but also to allow others to be the same for me.
Pray: Dear Jesus, remind us we are to be faithful stewards of Your grace, serving others and being served. We all need this nurturing, so we can grow in our faith and become more Christlike. Amen.
Your Turn: Hear the beauty in the words of “The Servant Song” by Richard Gillard. 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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