I was leading an interdenominational Bible study in South Carolina. We regularly prayed for one another, as do most such groups. Once, when we were sharing prayer concerns, a woman said, “I have my ‘mammy’ and ‘pappy’ next week,” referring to her mammogram and Pap smear. At that point, given the statistics for breast cancer particularly, we agreed we should always pray for each other’s annual exams.

But, clearly God wanted to do more. Before we knew it, women were asking if we could pray for a friend or family member who was having a mammogram. Then it evolved to friends and family members who were diagnosed with breast cancer or going through active treatment. Then that evolved into anything related to breast health, from the proactive to the critical. Those prayer requests became so numerous, a new ministry called “Bosom Buddies,” was birthed. That was 19 years ago. What a privilege to be called by God to oversee this amazing network!

There are now almost 100 Bosom Buddies from all over the United States and even a few from the UK and Sweden.  We have no dues, no officers, no events–we are simply “breast friends.” We know each other only by first name and location.  Our mission: PRAYER. And God has worked miraculously and faithfully through those prayers. We have joked about our clear mammograms as “smashing” successes; and we have teasingly “sung” our theme song: “Jesus loves the Bosom Buddies—all the Bosom Buddies of the world. Red and yellow black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the Bosom Buddies of the world…”

One of our newer Buddies is Melissa Eckenrode from Traverse City, Michigan. She was diagnosed in 2022 and has been through surgery, chemo, radiation, and immunotherapy. It’s been a bumpy road for Missy, but she is now cancer free! We praise our Holy Father for His favor and mercy over her and continue to pray for protection from recurrence. As Missy reflects on her journey, she is choosing to find the “silver lining” and to allow God to grow her faith. Please consider visiting her newly developed blog, aptly named, “Silver Linings Playbook” https://mysilverliningsplaybook.blog/2023/04/03/not-that-cross/?fbclid=IwAR0vATR64waZgNvW984thfZlpwxj9SGuqKAXM-64fc6rxH7vXyBHkAi_3Sw.  I’m pleased to share her first post on this website:

Not that Cross…

During the season of Lent, I try to reflect on the year and on the things I would like to change spiritually. This year was no different. I was going to really work on my own faith journey and try to do more for people in my life. I started off strong and then truthfully got too tired to accomplish everything I set out to do. On the eve of Palm Sunday, I listened to liturgy I have heard many times before. Though I am always struck by the reading of the Passion, I inevitably focus on Peter. For me, Peter is the most relatable disciple. I too have heard the words about “picking up my cross and following God.” I too have been “all in” and could not imagine ever denying God. However, when I have been in the lowest points of my life, like my cancer diagnosis, I have said—either literally or figuratively–to God, “I will take up my cross but not that one.” I think most of us have definite ideas of what our cross should or might be. When it’s not that, we’re stunned.

Peter’s story resonates with me because I too have a strong faith, but, with so many tests in the past year, it’s been much harder to give everything over to God. I’ve been through many stages of grief, including denial, despair, anger, and bargaining, Yet, after all these stages passed, I was able to peacefully wade through the remaining “muck and mire.” That’s what the past year has looked like—continually readjusting and regrouping through different phases. I’ve passed through them all of them like small towns along the highway. However, I continue to rely on God’s help to navigate where I’m going. When I give it over to Him, I am able to pick up my cross again and continue with what I was made to do.

After all, He has known the plans for me all along. Perhaps it wasn’t that I refused my cross or lost my way, but instead that I put it down when it got too heavy.

—Missy Eckenrode