Since my diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer in early February, I have received an outpouring of prayers, cards, gifts, love, and support. It fills my heart with joy to have so many people that care. But if I’m being completely honest, I have also found myself a bit out of my comfort zone accepting help and gifts.
Accepting help from others can be humbling.
It’s one thing to have a friend drive me to an appointment (thanks, Wendy 😘) but quite another to have a group of friends come and clean my house. Yes, that’s right. Four dear sisters in Christ showed up with mops, dusters, cleaners, and a vacuum to clean my home last week while I was in bed resting.
Friends from women’s Bible study praying over me.
The ladies had inquired about cleaning for a few weeks before I finally consented. I felt uncomfortable to have them cleaning my messes. But the truth was, I needed help. I’ve been pretty sick for a while and my house had been neglected.
So, as their sweet voices mingled with Chrisitan praise music from the downstairs making its way to my ears upstairs—I prayed. I told the Lord how uncomfortable it made me, but how grateful I was. And do you know what the Lord said to me?
“These women are my hands and feet. To deny them the blessing of helping you, would be to deny me.”
Ouch. And to think, I’d been putting these dear souls off for a few weeks! God had coordinated the blessing and I had been telling Him “no” because I was too embarrassed.
The blessing is for the giver, if not more than, for the receiver.
I have received more gifts from other dear ones: meals, gift cards, flowers, handmade blankets, and more. What blessings, indeed!
You see, I have been on the giving end many times throughout the years. I know what a blessing it is to allow the Lord to use me in some small way to help a friend. You probably do, too. It’s another matter altogether, however, to be the one on the receiving end.
We read in Scripture about how the Lord demonstrates His love through His people.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40
Not only did my friends deep clean, but they brought a gift, flowers, a delicious meal, and dessert! They have even set up a rotation of cleaning for when I start chemotherapy.
The cleaning crew: Kassidy, Heather, Jen, and Janet.
Speaking of chemotherapy, I will have my first session today (more on that later). Because my cancer is stage 4, the medications will be quite aggressive. I am told to expect some pretty nasty side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, pain, weakness, hair loss and, more. The fact is, I’m going to need help.
God has provided His hands and feet to help, and I’m going to accept the gift.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18
Another way God’s people have been present through this trial is with the power of prayer. I am once again blown away by the faithfulness of the prayer warriors God has placed in my life. Most mornings I wake up to texts, Facebook, Instagram messages, and phone calls telling me I am being prayed over around the clock. There is even a Facebook group that is fasting and praying!
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Life-long friends and sisters, Julie and Jill
As I’m able, I’ll let you all know how chemotherapy is going.
Love,
I love hearing from you in the comments below.
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
~ Teresa of Ávila
What a wonderful post my friend. I too have always struggled accepting help from others. Then came heart procedures, more heart procedures, a rebuilt shoulder, knee surgeries, and it seems the list goes on and on. Through them all, God showed me that when others extend help to me, it’s merely their way of using the spiritual gift of helps He gave them. He also showed me that their joy came from helping; and it was a physical manifestation of His love for me; as undeserving as I am. Please continue to know that the greatest gifts come from the heart of those who love God, which manifests itself in love for you sweet friend. #WeLoveBeckie; and we hope is shows.
Beckie, it is such a gift how He is teaching you to receive from sisters here on earth. Oh and what a wonderful, caring Father to pour over you. I am keeping you in my heart. May Our Mighty Lord ease the medicine into your body and guard your healthy cells as the chemo goes to town. Love in Christ, Julie
Julie,
Thanks for your prayers and for taking the time to comment.
JD, you a such a blessings. Thank you for your kindness and prayers.
I know what you mean. When I was diagnosed with stage 4, I was reluctant to take help. Always the “ I can do it, I’m strong” I’ve always been a chance taker. What I learned was , thru my Faith in God accepting the help, which I much needed, in turn helped others who felt helpless in my trial. They provided Gods love unconditionally & thru my Faith of Hope I encouraged others .
Pricilla, thanks for sharing. You are so right!
I love you Beckie. I am always thankful fo ryou. Praying for you and your strength.
Anthony, this means a lot to me. Thanks, my friend.
It is hard to let others clean for you, I can only imagine. But THANK God for loving friends! You are blessed. I pray for you often asking God to heal your body down to its cells and bless your family with peace and comfort. I know He is with you.
Stephanie, Thanks for your prayers and kind thoughts.
Your post made me tear up Beckie. I don’t know you well but I remember meeting you at HDC during their leadership conference in 2019, you were so kind and I felt blessed I met you that day( I specifically remember that). I am praying so hard for you and your family.
Brittany, How kind of you. Thanks for your prayers and comment.
I needed your post, Beckie! What you didn’t mention is how you have helped so many others through your writings and support through language, which you are still doing. Love you, and continuing my prayers for you.
Mary, Thank you.
Dear Beckie, I’m praying for you! Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thank you, Dorcas.
Beckie, what a amazingly heartfelt post. It brought back some of the same memories for me by reading it. Of all the gifts I was given, I think the most precious was a prayer quilt made by ladies from a local church. When the quilt was 99% completed, it only needed the final touch. It was hung on a rack in front of the church and as each person came forward and prayed, they tied a knot in the center of each square patch. I wished they could have taken a video of that and sent it to me, but there is a humbling feeling knowing that I might pass by those that quilted and prayed for me. That quilt reflects the love of the body of Christ that is immeasurable. Thanks for sharing this! You are in my daily prayers!
Ben, thanks for sharing this amazing story. I appreciate your prayers greatly.
Beautiful 🙂 Love you sweet sister.
Thank you, dear friend.
Sending prayers, love, and hugs from me to you.
Thank you, Melissa.
Oh, Beckie, I am so touched by the kindness and love these women have shown to you as you struggle with this illness. You are in my prayers every single day, dear friend. Wish I lived close to you so I could be physically helping in these days of struggle. Know you are deeply loved and treasured!
Thank you, dear Martha.
Continued prayers and love! So grateful that you have help in place and are willing to accept it. Blessings abound when we let others be the hands and feet of Jesus,as well when we are the hands and feet of Jesus to others.
Lynda, I appreciate the prayers.
Amen Sweet Sister in Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah Beckie!!
( I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV ) “Rejoice evermore. Pray Without Ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the Will of GOD in Christ Jesus concerning you.”!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💕💜 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore!!
I Love 💜💕 you all Everyone through Christ Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💕💜 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom ( Peace ) Everyone, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Thank you, Kristi Ann and God bless.
You’re very Welcome Sister in Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah Beckie!!
Prayers go up and HIS Blessings come back down too us!!
I Love 💜💕 you all Everyone through Christ Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💕💜 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Oh dear Beckie, I am so glad that these sweet ladies volunteered their time and brought you meals. You do seem like such a giver and now it is time for you to be blessed. I am just reading this but certainly hope your chemo treatment was not too harsh on your body. You are such an inspiration and my prayers continue that through all of this you not only will be cancer free but that you will not have all the bad effects in miracle like fashion.
Thank you, sweet Valerie.
Beckie, your journey is reminding all of us of God’s faithfulness and the blessings of giving and receiving help. What an honor to join others in prayer for you.
Thank you♥️
I, too, have had to learn to be on the receiving end these past few years. It’s definitely humbling…especially at first. But oh – the joy in seeing Jesus provide as we open our hearts and hands to His loving gifts at the hands of others.
I continue to pray for you through this journey. Thank you for continuing to share your joys and challenges. They continue to inspire!
Thank you for sharing and praying ♥️