Last year, around the one year anniversary of my diagnosis, I was given a very special gift. A friend of mine, whom I have known through church, made me a beautiful Breast Cancer Ribbon Blanket. The blanket is very special to me because she made it with love and compassion, but it also has a deeper meaning. Shannon had her own dark valley that same year because her husband had been tragically killed in an accident the summer of 2007. Despite her own grief, Shannon prayed for me (and I for her) and we were often seen hugging on the patio at church. Shannon makes blankets as a hobby and fell in love with the pink ribbon and flowered pattern of fleece material. In a twist of fate, she accidentally ordered double what she needed.
On my one year diagnosis anniversary, and what would have been her wedding anniversary, Shannon gifted me with not only one blanket, but another blanket as well. Shannon wrote me a beautiful letter and gave it to me with the blanket. It said, "the Lord made it very clear that not only did I need to make your blanket and get it to you, but He also planned for a second blanket to give to you so that you could pass it on to someone you know who walks this journey with you. The time I spent on both blankets gave me time with the Lord which allowed Him to fill the empty place in my own heart."
Shannon gave me the blanket in April 2008, and in December 2008 a friend of mine (who I met through my daughter Rachel and her daughter Tina) was diagnosed with returning breast cancer. Laura was devastated that the cancer was back, and she was facing surgery right before Christmas. I was prompted by the Lord to give Laura the second blanket, and I knew that she would cherish it like I have cherished mine. I wrote Laura a note telling her how the blanket was made by a friend of mine and then I e-mailed Shannon to tell her that I had given the other blanket away. Here is Shannon's response:
"Oh Sandy, I am constantly in awe of how the Lord knits his children together. Not only with us as women but my goodness, he has placed two young daughters of mothers going through an unimaginable disease, together as well. I absolutely love God's voice. I had the same whisper wondering if you knew Laura and that maybe He would use the blanket for her. Yes, God's love came full circle. Thank you for sharing. I know Laura well and she has been a faithful supportive friend to me and my kids."
Do you believe in coincidences? I don't!!! I believe in Godincidences! I don't think that things like this accidentally happen, I believe that God orchestrated this incredible gift between three women when that material was being ordered! What an amazing God we serve! He gives us gifts that are beyond anything we could imagine, and His timing is perfect.
If you are struggling in your relationship with God, then I want you to consider this, God is the ultimate gift giver. We may not understand why things happen the way they do, but God is faithful in leading us to still waters when we follow Him. This is a story of three women who survived devastating news and still experience the joy only God can give. I think all three of us would agree that the only thing that could pierce the darkness of our circumstance was the love and promises of God.
Next time you have a "coincidence", thank God for orchestrating the gift.
Blessings,
Sandy
