In August 2004, I had the privilege of addressing a national conference held in Newfoundland. I had been invited by a global pharmaceutical company to speak to the lessons I had learned through my battle with cancer. They, of course, picked up my expenses and in the process helped make a dream to visit the East Coast of Canada come true.

As I soared high over the oceans, lakes, forests and prairie lands of this country, I could hardly believe that in less than 24 hours I had literally travelled from sea to sea and from coast to coast. As much as I enjoyed it then, to this day I pick up those memories, turn them over and over in my mind, and extract yet more pleasure from them. Back then I was excited, honoured and scared; today as I hold vestiges of that excitement, I’ve never lost sight of the honour I was given, but I’m no longer quite as scared at the thought of addressing an audience. One of the reasons I continue to became a more confident person was an incident that took place just prior to my address.

As I fought to subdue the larger than usual butterflies battering the lining of my stomach, I picked up my Bible, hoping to read something that would soothe my fears. Rather than the “usual” passages, my eyes lit on a short verse that I’d never really noticed before. “Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary,” it read and my heart leapt with joy. Oh I know the theological implications of Jerusalem and the temple situated there but for me, at that moment, the verse read: “Linda, you have made Me Lord of your life, your heart is my sanctuary and my strength and beauty are part of you.”

Afraid? They’re there for you, too!