by Genevieve Priest
ON JUNE 29, 2012, Lesha Myers passed from this life after a long battle with cancer. The beloved author of three of IEW's books, The Elegant Essay, Windows to the World, and Writing Research Papers, Lesha had spent many years teaching students to write, most recently serving as the English department chair of Chinese Christian Schools. Her skills as a writing teacher and author have been and will continue to be a blessing to many for years to come. As a devout Christian, perhaps the most inspiring legacy she leaves with us is the memory of her courage, cheerfulness, and trust in God throughout her years of illness, right up until the end.
We share here a few of her reflections, written in 2009, on the blessings she found through her experience of suffering with cancer:
CANCER'S BLESSINGS
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)The gals at the Look Good...Feel Better® seminar I attended were talking about how cancer had changed their lives, and I mentioned how cancer has been a huge blessing to me. All of a sudden the room got very quiet, and everyone stared at me. I felt compelled to continue and said how it had taught me a lot about myself and my family, increased my faith, taught me what is important in life, and brought me greater clarity and focus. The room was still deadly quiet, and then one of the cosmologists changed the subject.
Afterwards, I got to thinking about this awkward moment and the truth of what I blurted out. Cancer has blessed me tremendously. It's not something I've enjoyed—suffering never is, and it's definitely something I never want to go through again. Still, it's taught me lessons that I don't think I could have learned in any other way. The verse says to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials"—not if, when. All of us will suffer at some point in our lives; it's what we receive or take from the suffering that matters. Suffering isn't a punishment from God; it just is. It's a result of a fallen world, a consequence of sin. Yes, God can relieve suffering, and yes, He never gives us more than we can handle (1 Cor. 10:13), but He is not unjust to allow us to suffer.
Suffering is a great mystery and not a lot of fun. But it is our lot (Job 5:7). That being the case, let's not waste it.
We are so thankful for Lesha's gift of self through her teaching and writing, and for her example of patience and cheerfulness in suffering. Our prayers are with her family and friends, and all those who mourn her loss. May she rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord.
This article first appeared in the 2013 Arts of Language Homeschool Magalog
© 2013, Institute for Excellence in Writing, L.L.C.
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