This summer I began to donate hand-sewn chemotherapy hats to a local hospital. It all started because of something that happened in my church craft class. I run a small craft group in my church once a month from September until May. We all bring bagged lunches, pray, have godly interactions and explore the world of crafts. A few of the projects that we have worked on include macrame, weaving, candle making, jewelry making, and painting with water colors. The theme is godly fellowship and simple projects.
In May, one of the ladies in my group Carly,* announced that she was about to begin treatment for a very aggressive form of cancer. She had no symptoms and doctors only discovered her cancer when she received treatment for a small fall that she recently had. It was then that the doctors discovered that she had late stage multiple myeloma. What do you do biblically speaking when life hands you this? Carly is a hard-working, dynamic woman and then this. For Carly and her husband the answer is they have shown nothing but acceptance of this situation, support for one annother and faith in God. The prognosis at this point is similar to that for pancreatic cancer.
However, the hospital gave Carly the option of trying some new and aggressive treatments which might offer better outcomes and give her a chance at a higher survival rate. The doctor told her that she might experience the loss of her hair as a medical side effect of chemotherapy and explained that the hospital had chemotherapy hats and wigs available for patients. However, when she went to the donation cart, they only had wigs and hats more appropriate for colder weather. Carly did not want to wear a wig and the hats were not weather appropriate at this time.
In the middle of our May Craft Class, she asked the question “does anyone know where to get a chemotherapy hat?” I can’t make this stuff up. I said, “Carly, you are at a Church Craft Fellowship Meeting so, we will make you some.” That is how my benevolence began. It started with the goal of helping Carly by using the sewing skills that some of the ladies possessed. However, during that May class the idea blossomed of helping others at her treatment facility. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching-Hebrews-10:24-25.
I immediately asked anyone who had sewing skills in my class if they wished to volunteer over the summer to sew some Chemo Hats. There were three of us who volunteered to sew. In thinking out what I wanted the project to be, I know that we would need a sewing pattern and packaging for the hats. We are Christians so we also had to decide on a scripture verse to be included on that packaging. As the budget for our church craft class is zero, the ladies and I went to our craft closets and began to identify cottons and other soft fabrics that would be applicable for the two patterns that I had.
Since I am a prolific baker of bread, I always have a big pile of plastic bags. I decided that was the right size and could double as packaging for our hats. I chose three simple sewing patterns that I printed out. One is a classic beanie style hat, one is more like a scarf wrap with elastic in the back to hold it in place and with some fabric draping behind it. The third hat has a bow on top. Next, I asked around for printable stickers. Luckily, my husband had some in his home office supply cabinet and he volunteered to print some out to my specifications. One sticker he created says, “handmade with love,” and the verse that we decided on was “Psalm 46:1- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” The label my husband created has the name of our church group printed on it along with the style and the size of the hat.
I had already asked the Pastor of our church for approval of the project and he assented. I also asked Carly’s husband, who is an elder of our Church, if he could speak with the hospital staff to see if they were interested in our donation. Furthermore, I wanted to check to see if the inclusion of a Bible verse would be acceptable to this hospital. When I was in New York, I doubt a hospital would allow a Bible verse on our donation unless it was a Christian hospital. I somehow knew that in the new community that my husband and I have chosen to live it would be okay and I was right. After all, I have already visited hospital settings, doctor’s offices, and even pizza parlors where bibles or bible verses were prominently featured.
Once we worked all the kinks out of our sewing machines and sewing patterns, a small group of ladies at my church have been able to produce weekly contributions to donate to a local hospital. As the summer has progressed, I asked myself and God in prayer just how long this project would last and what it all means. I think about ways this project has blessed me. Is there meaning in trying to reach out amid the turmoil of disease or other catastrophic events? Is creating some comfort through a simple gift and showing hope in God’s promises through scripture reflection glorifying to God? Is this pleasing to you Father?
People always ask themselves the question, “how can I help?” In our best nature, we empathize and we sympathize. We hear news of earthquakes in Venezuela, Ebola in Congo, Los Angeles wildfires and flooding in Missouri and we instantly feel a desire to pitch in and help ameliorate the damage. Should I go on? China and Taiwan, Legionnaires outbreak in NYC, increased earthquake activity in the “Ring of Fire” zone, and Super El Niňos. Yet, there is a deep inner longing within us to intervene in such cases, whether it be standing side by side with a person, carrying sandbags, fighting fires or bringing medical assistance.
However, even in such circumstances evil does exist. The evil of looting others belongings while they are not in their homes or shops. Taking advantage of the sick and dying. People also use the fear associated with natural disasters to drum up support for their political goals no matter how stupid those goals may be.There is a philosophy that exists which says that we only ever do good because it makes us feel good as we rail against the death machine. We are so depraved and narcisssistic that that is all that is possible. That is the jaded views of modern philosophy that brings dystopian fantasies. For me, it suggests what man is without God. We are indeed sinners and our deeds are bad at times but as we know our creator he creates a new spirit within us.Yes, where there is light, there is always darkness too. That is except in the person of God, where there is only light. That’s a good reason to stick with him.
I think about my busy summer. I wonder if my small cottage industry of producing Chemo Hats is wanted or needed since I did not receive any feedback from Carly’s husband or even the Pastor’s wife who has been helping the family meet its’ needs during this difficult time. Is my benevolence mired by my sin nature? The news has been so bad lately. Death amid family and friends, in the killing fields of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Middle East caught it seems forever in a cycle of war that claims so many lives but at its’ core is a spiritual battle for what the truth is. My own countries struggles with freedom versus Marxism. Happy 250th birthday I guess. Am I doing this benevolence to make myself feel better?
It does make me feel uplifted to think that my homemade hats can help bring a smile to women struggling with a horrible disease. It makes me feel more powerful and less depressed about everything happening in the world too. The things that happen in our lives can feel overwhelming at times but then, there is God. The refreshment that he brings, the truth that he brings and the ability of him to direct our hearts, minds and body to godly living. We bless others, we do that in God’s name and try to direct people to the God that we know. I think that is part of the reason we are here.
As my church friends are all caught in the vortex of Carly’s cancer treatment and don’t have much time for dealing with anything else, I still wonder if my little pebble on the lake of life is still rippling. So, I lift up my voice to God and express these thoughts and feelings. I believe the Holy Spirit inspired me to start to bless Carly and those being treated at her hospital. I wonder if we will continue to have sewists for much longer. I also wonder how long the blessing is on this project. Should this end when Carly’s treatment ends? I ask God if anyone has taken our hats to wear and if it has been a blessing or not?
The Holy Spirit began this ministry and I realize that it doesn’t matter how many makers are involved because ultimately, if God is in this project it will touch minds and hearts with his love and message. It will continue as long as he blesses it. We are all in the midst of life’s story and it starts with God. I pray for each and every person receiving my Craft Fellowship’s homemade Chemo Hats. I ask God to help me mange this project wisely and to be a blessing to Carly and others in need. I thank you God for all the blessings that you have given me amid the hard work. I thank you for feeling like I am a part of you and all the good that this project might bring. And let us not be weary in well doing:for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not-Galatians 6:9.
God heals either in this world or the next. Choose to follow him today and begin your journey with God beside you.
*The names are changed to ensure privacy.
