My Cancer Memorial
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a word about memorials.
Tomorrow begins October and you’re going to be hearing a lot about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You’re gonna see little pink ribbons everywhere you look. And as you well know, I battled stage III breast cancer some years ago, and it returned last year, so I went through a second battle. And in many ways, I guess I’m still fighting cancer, and I tell you what, I don’t want to forget, I never want to take for granted the wonderful grace of Jesus that is seeing me through such a difficult season in my life.
And it’s why I have a little memorial on the shelf right by my desk. It’s just a pink beaded little bracelet with a ribbon medallion. Someone gave it to me back in 2010 when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. And it’s this little – it’s like a breast cancer bracelet. And although so far, this second cancer has been halted, I still keep that little bracelet in line of sight. When I’m working at my desk and happen to glance at it, it is a quiet, but ever-present reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness to me. I posted a photo of it on my radio page today, and I invite you to take a look. Because memorials to the Lord’s faithfulness can be whatever you want them to be.
Like, when the Israelites defeated the Philistines, the prophet Samuel raised a memorial to commemorate the victory. It’s just a pile of stones, but he named that pile “Ebenezer,” which means “stone of help.” It was to remind everyone who saw it, including the prophet, that God was their help. In fact, when Samuel raised it up, his words are recorded in 1 Samuel 7:12, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” And the point behind that pile of stones? It was to remind God’s people that if the Lord had faithfully rescued them in the past, He’d be faithful to do the same in the future. And that’s how I feel when I glance at the little pink beaded bracelet with the breast cancer symbol on it. Even if cancer may re-appear for a third time, look, I’ve got confidence; I’ve got every confidence that God’s gonna faithfully see me through it to the other side, even if that other side is in heaven. If my cancer returns, God’s gonna be faithful to give me courage and perseverance, endurance, and a bright new capacity to trust Him in a deeper way. That is God’s way of demonstrating His faithfulness. As John Piper says, “Cancer does not win if you die; cancer only wins if you fail to cherish Jesus Christ.” And my bracelet, my little “stone of help,” my Ebenezer, reminds me of it. More than anything else, I want to cherish Christ.
From the beginning, God has always sealed special events with physical memorials. He gave Noah a rainbow. The Passover feast was a memorial of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The tabernacle, the ark, and the cloud that hovered over it were visible reminders of God’s ever-present help. And in the New Testament, the Lord Jesus declared that Mary’s gift of perfume, which she poured over Him, should be a memorial. And He gave me that little pink beaded bracelet.
So, what are the memorials of God’s faithfulness in your life? What are the tangible reminders God has given you to remind you of how faithful He is to you? Visit joniradio.org. Do it today to see the photo I’ve posted of my own memorial of remembrance – my little bracelet. And while you’re there, ask for my new booklet – it’s brand-new – it’s called “Finding Joy in Trials.” It’ll help you remember God’s faithfulness to you no matter what trial you are facing. So, learn more about it. See you later at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends
Facing Trials with Joy
Dealing with cancer has given Joni fresh opportunities to discover more of God’s beauty, power, presence and love. She shares her insights in the booklet “Facing Trials with Joy,” in the hope that they might bless you as you walk through trials of your own.
