Selfless Love, June 21
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Ashley Taylor
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 6:13-14 NIV).
On July 21, 1968, I was born. Two weeks later, the Army sent my dad to Vietnam for a year. I don’t remember the day he returned, but I am told I ran straight into his arms. I knew exactly who this special man was. I thank God every day that my daddy came home. When I picture my dad, I hear the words of Paul, “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” My dad showed me how to live these words.
Growing up, I was blessed with my dad’s love for God, family, and country. I remember going to Sunday school and church as a family. My daddy spent time in God’s Word and in prayer. He was always there when I needed him. Once when I was in the hospital after a surgery, I remember him sitting in a chair with his feet propped on the side of the bed, so if he started to fall asleep, he would fall out of the chair and wake up. He took his “daddy duty” seriously. Years later, when I faced cancer as an adult, he couldn’t always be there with me. However, he never stopped teaching me how to stand strong with courage through his faith.
When I was struck by breast cancer, I could only imagine how heartbreaking this news was for my parents. As much as parents might want to, they can’t completely keep their children from danger, illness, and pain. Parents have to trust that God is in control, and He has their children covered in His love and care. So how does a father stand over his grown daughter through breast cancer? My dad could not be with me as often as he’d like because of the family business. However, he stood firm over me by selflessly sending my mom, so she could help me and my family. He let me know in our phone conversations that he was praying for me and trusting that God had surrounded me with other family, friends, and my medical team to fight with me, too. When my dad visited, it was a comfort to me to feel his gentle hug. I loved that we could sit quietly and just be together when I was without energy to do more. My dad understood and gave selflessly based on my needs. I will never forget the evening before my double mastectomy, when my parents met us for a dinner out. Even though it was a frightening, uncertain time, that night we lived, laughed, and loved. My dad stood by me through laughter in the face of fear.
Through His gift of my dad, my heavenly Father has shown me how to be strong in my faith and let all I do be done in love. How have you been blessed by your relationship with your father or others who have supported you during your cancer journey? How can you pass that blessing on to others?
Pray: Heavenly Father, we praise You for the blessing of our earthly father, and all those who show us how to live by trusting You and doing everything in love—out of Your amazing love for us. Amen.
Your Turn: Hear the words of Brianna Haynes as she sings “Through the Eyes of My Father” and think about God’s gift of our earthly fathers.
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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