I have MS (Multiple Sclerosis).
I have never started a conversation with that sentence since being diagnosed in 2016. In many ways I don’t want to start talking about me but lets be frank here, when a woman is sitting in and driving a motorized scooter there is obviously something going on. Some people ask what happened, some don’t say anything, while others just give me a wide berth avoiding eye contact.
To say the least MS has changed my life. But do I want MS to totally define me? Absolutely not!
I am a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mom, grandma, cousin the list could go on. The one way that I really do want to be defined as is a Child of God, a daughter of Christ. That began when as a little girl I realized my need of a Savior, Jesus Christ. I knew I wanted to go to heaven and I also knew of my sinful actions that I needed forgiveness. I asked Jesus to be my own personal Savior. He has been my friend, my refuge, my solid rock. He defines me.
Who or what defines you? Do you know? Maybe you don’t want to acknowledge that, because it’s not a good place. Seek out the Jesus of the Bible. Find our great God through the whole book and allow Him to change your life. Let Him be the one that defines you.
Sharing the Journey 
Thank you for sharing that, Brenda. I know what you mean. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in late 2014. All of a sudden I was “a victim of” . . . and “survivor of” . . . suddenly qualified for loads of pity and sympathy, preferential treatment and all sorts of stuff that I didn’t really want or need. An acquaintance bought me teal-colored jewelry (OC’s color is teal apparently), said it reminded her of my “battle with cancer” and wanted me to wear it and feel confident I had been stronger than the cancer. Like a color of plastic jewelry could define me? I told a friend, a color or cancer do NOT define who I am. I’m glad that the way I conducted myself through surgical recovery & chemo treatments was helpful & inspiring to others, but I do NOT want to be remembered as a “cancer survivor”. No, I want to be remembered for my strong faith through WHATEVER trials come my way, that my faith stayed (stays!) strong “no matter what” obstacles are in my path. ~ your H.S. classmate, Deb (Kerr) Hofland
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Thanks for sharing your story.
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