Joanie Shawhan shares true-life stories, offering her reader an eyewitness view of the action. Her Selah Awards Finalist book, In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer,reflects the value of “Your story plus my story become our stories.” An ovarian cancer survivor and registered nurse, Joanie speaks to medical students in the Survivors Teaching Students® program sponsored by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. She co-founded an ovarian cancer social group: The Fried Eggs—Sunny-Side Up. Several local television stations and a cable network have featured her book and ovarian cancer journey. Joanie has made guest appearances on national radio programs and podcasts. Publishing credits include: Guideposts Divine Interventions, Snapshots of Heart and Hope, Wit, Whimsy & Wisdom, Life Repurposed, We May Be Done But We’re Not Finished, God Still Meets Needs, The Upper Room, and Coping with Cancer Magazine. When not attending her book club or writing critique group, Joanie advocates for ovarian cancer awareness and enjoys swimming, knitting, and playing autoharp. You can find her media interviews, blog, speaker topics and contact information at www.joanieshawhan.com.
The curtain had closed on another Christmas season. Shadows from my Christmas lights danced across the wall in a valiant attempt to cheer me as I faced another round of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Where are you God?
As I sought God in this unfamiliar journey through chemotherapy, he reminded me of the Magi. I wondered if the cry of my heart echoed the cries of these wise men. They left their familiar homeland and followed a star to worship the newborn king. Filled with hope, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
As I reflected on the Magi, I wondered what gifts I could offer my King.
Gold — I offer that which is more precious than gold, my faith. A faith that continues to believe in the goodness of God. A faith that acknowledges Jesus as the King of Kings who reigns over the whole world including my circumstances. Even cancer. This season I honor the King by walking in faith and trusting him with my future, relying on Jesus to bring me through the cancer and chemotherapy. God is faithful. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold (
1 Peter 1:7
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
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Frankincense — Frankincense was an expensive and fragrant incense offered in the worship of a deity. My fragrant offering pleasing to God is praise and worship. Even in the midst of pain, confusion and chemotherapy, he is worthy. “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased” (
Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased."
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Myrrh — The bitter perfume of suffering foreshadowed the death of Jesus on the cross. By his death and resurrection, he rescued us from our sinful way of life and gave us access to the living God. For me, myrrh represents my altar of surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. I surrender my circumstances, hopes and dreams to the one who loves me, created me and died for me. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne (
Hebrews 12:2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.* Because of the joy* awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
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God had given me a blueprint to walk through this difficult season. I will follow in the footsteps of the Magi and offer my gifts of faith, worship and surrender to Jesus. I, too, will look past my sufferings and focus on the majesty of my savior. He is the source of my joy. A joy not dependent upon my circumstances, but a joy that comes from his presence. And like the Magi, I will rejoice with great joy.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy… they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (
Matthew 2:10-11
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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God heard my cry. Through the gifts of the Magi, he revealed himself as Emmanuel, God with us. And he is still with me.
