I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 

On January 25th of this year, our oldest child, Alli, was diagnosed at age 16 with a very aggressive cancer. The nightmarish weeks and months that followed are foggy now in our rear view. There have been so many angels who have cared for our two toddlers, loving them like their own. Over 200 units of blood have been donated in Alli’s name at the Blood Connection. Food has appeared at our doorstep, showing up at the perfect time for a friend or sitter to feed our younger girls a hot meal. 

Friends have cleaned our home, written our thank-you notes, walked our dogs, grocery-shopped for us, and filled every possible need in between. They have shown up even when we have been slow to admit that we needed help. These angels, many identified and some who are not, have acted as the hands and feet of Jesus during our continued season of greatest need.

The strength and beauty with which Alli has fought this terrible foe has been another gift for which we are so thankful. During a time when she should be attending football games and touring colleges, she has been largely confined to a hospital bed and stripped of all freedoms. She’s undergone more than 15 lumbar punctures to date, twice daily radiation, numerous procedures, and received toxic and sometimes experimental chemotherapy. Through it all, she has not complained. Alli inspires us every day with her courage and her grace.

We are grateful for every prayer said over us, for us, and with us. We covet them more now than ever. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please avail to us opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Please make us especially aware of those who may lack a wide safety net here on Earth. Inspire us to jump into action. Even when we know not what to do, help us to show up for our brothers and sisters. 

Jennifer Hoy

About the Contributor

Jennifer Hoy enjoys sleeping in and nap-taking, neither of which occur with any frequency during the current season of life for her or her husband, Will, with girls ages 2½, 4 and 17.  When not with her spirited household of precious children and canines, Jennifer serves as the Executive Director for the Spartanburg Science Center.