More From Jennifer Hegeman

I learned of my breast cancer diagnosis in March 2018. One month later, I had a bilateral mastectomy. My university colleagues were very supportive; they took over my teaching load, attended department chair meetings on my behalf, and managed themselves for the remainder of the academic year. Initially, it was difficult for me to accept this help, but while spending time in prayer a few days prior to my surgery, the first two verses of the hymn “The Servant Song” by Richard Gillard came to mind. The lyrics speak of the value of helping and serving others as Christ did. My colleagues wanted to serve me; I needed to let them, putting aside my pride and allowing them to see my weakness.

When classes began in fall 2018, I returned to campus with renewed vigor. I was intentional about resting in God’s presence at the start of each day to ensure I had the strength to continue serving my students and colleagues as I did before my cancer diagnosis. The quiet time I spent in prayer and reading scripture before my day began prepared my heart and mind for the emotional and physical challenges I faced.

Although I was able to find the strength to persevere through two more years in academia, the stress I experienced was too great and I feared the cancer would return. Today’s devotion was written four months after I retired from higher education. The early lockdowns of the COVID-19 health emergency made it easier for me to leave my career of 30 years and never look back. I have now been retired for nearly three years, am cancer-free, and have absolutely no regrets. I continue to spend time in God’s presence every morning. But now I find the focus is less on finding strength and a proper mindset to get through my day, and more on gratitude for all the blessings in my life.