Last Updated on May 3, 2025
As most of you know, I was diagnosed with cancer recently and had surgery to remove the affected area. As I usually do, I made the mistake of thinking I could carry on as usual and continue to be super mom, with just a few requests for helping to get my kids to school. The rest would be easy — the nurse had said as much — so I didn’t need much help. “Mom” is the do-er, not the do-ee, right?
Oh, how wrong I was.
Have you caught yourself thinking the same way? I can get “this” — whatever it may be — done. No problem. And most of the time us moms must accomplish a multitude of tasks (sometimes all at once) on our own. Our “to-do” lists would be enough to make a hardcore military man break out into a sweat. Yet, there is a point when we need to take a clear look at a situation and reassess. And … gulp, ask for help.
I am so blessed to have wonderful family and friends who have far more wisdom than I, and they made arrangements to come be with me after my surgery. Even though I worried that I was interrupting their lives and “bothering” them, they came. And I am so, so thankful they did because my recovery didn’t go as planned. Instead of being up and back to normal within a few days, I developed a serious staph infection and nearly died. I had to be in the hospital for over a week with more surgery, and it will take the next few months for me to recover.
Through this ordeal, the Lord has taught me many lessons:
- Lean on Him. When I am too weak to lean, He will carry me.
- Allow suffering to be a blessing in my life. By this I mean to use this time to bless others. I can do this by thanking the people who care for me, by sharing my experience with others and encouraging them, and by learning to hold even the little things dear.
- Let others bless me and, in doing so, allow God to bless us all. Receiving help is as important as helping others. Yes, being on the receiving end is not nearly as fun as being the helper, but when I allow others to show me love by helping me, I am, in turn, loving them.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to ask for help? How did that impact you? We want to hear from you!