Cancer Is No Hindrance to Outreach

I went with my friend, Madonna (no, not that one), to the hospital today. What's amazing about this trip is that she is recovering from major cancer surgery. The procedure was Tuesday and she was released Wednesday. On Thursday--her first full day at home--Madonna wanted to go back to the hospital. Her reason? She wanted to reach out to the other woman who was her hospital roommate, a survivor of brain cancer. So we headed to the hospital with roses and church invitations. As we were getting ready to leave, we offered to pray for Madonna's new friend. The patient who replaced Madonna in the hospital bed heard this and eagerly invited herself for prayer, too. So there we stood, holding hands with two strangers, praying for God's mercy in a cramped hospital room. I am confident that the Holy Spirit was working in every one of us at that moment.

Madonna's selflessness is amazing. I've seen God's sanctifying work in her life through this trial of recurring cancer. But to look at her, you'd never know it's been a tough few years. Instead of turning inward and indulging self-pity, Madonna has learned to trust her Savior and continue to serve others. She's not perfect--and I'm not trying to write a gushing bio of a good friend. But she's commendable. And I want to emulate her in any future trials.

Comments

[danielle]

Wow, shows you what a difference a simple act of kindess makes and being others focused vs. self-focused.

[zoanna]

I love to see and read about people "comforting others with the comfort [they themselves] have been comforted. Never thought I'd say be saying THESE words: I want to be like Madonna.

Heehehehehehheeee.

[madonna]

Carolyn, I can't thank you enough for your encouragement. But I must confess, I am very selfish and very self-focused and I give all the credit to God for the work He is doing in my heart. I've learned that God is far more concerned about communicating the saving message of His Gospel to all men. I consider myself a mere instrument of God for this purpose. As difficult as this trial is for me, there is an eternal purpose for all that I am going through; there is an eternal impact to be made and I will not know this until that day when I am standing with the One who so mercifully saved a horrible sinner such as myself.

[Marshall Reel]

Madonna's love for God is inspiring. Her difficult circumstances reveal what is in her heart and it greatly glorifies God!