It was the end of our annual women’s retreat. I was cleaning up some odds and ends while people were saying their goodbyes all around me. We had just finished our last service where I had run the PowerPoint, and the women were exchanging numbers and hugs. I had already said goodbye to most of the women I knew and connected with over the weekend when Mary Flin, our missionary in Topeka, tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to find her standing with one of the ladies she brought from Topeka, an older woman who was very quiet. Mary told me her name was Doriece and that she had just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
As I looked over to Doriece I saw her eyes fill with tears as Mary told me more of her story. I took her hand as I heard that the doctors were very harsh with her when they gave her the diagnosis and told her that she should prepare for the worst. These doctors left her with little hope and little information, so Doriece left the office feeling scared and alone. I gave Doriece a hug and she clung tightly to me. I had the opportunity to tell her my story–how I had multiple surgeries and radiation treatment for my thyroid cancer, but that I was told that it has a good outcome most of the time. I gave her the little advice I had from my experience, and I hugged her as she cried. She told me that I gave her hope, and I pray she left feeling loved and cared for.
As we said goodbye and exchanged contact information, my eyes filled with tears. There have been many times during this past year when I wondered why I had cancer. At times it seemed like pointless pain and fear had been brought into my life. I know that God has used it in my own heart to teach me things about Himself and to trust in Him. But if it was all for the purpose of giving this one hurting woman from the inner city of Topeka some hope, then it was worth it all. I am so glad that God gave me that glimpse of His plan. She is a sweet soul who desires to shine a light in her city. I pray that as Doriece goes through treatment, God continues to use my story to give her hope.
Kathryn King lives and serves in Wichita, KS, with her husband Jordan and their two sons.
