Sisterhood Spotlight

You served alongside your husband in building and pastoring a church. Was that what you aspired to as a little girl?
 
I grew up in a ministry family where life revolved around the church. My dad was a pastor and my mom a busy pastor’s wife. And while life was good, I can’t say that it was my dream job. What I did sense early on was that my life would be a ministry life. And so, after Troy and I were married, I wasn’t surprised that he entered the ministry and became the pastor of a tiny little inner-city church in Dayton Ohio. He preached and visited people in the community, and I cleaned the church and taught the children. We both took care of and mentored the youth group, and established early on that we were partners, and co-workers.  When we planted our current church at Smith Mountain Lake 18 years ago it was again a team effort.  Over the past 29 years it has been amazing to see how God has faithfully led us from that first place of ministry to where we are today.

As the mother of four, what is a scripture or motto that inspired you when you felt overwhelmed?

I think being a mother is the most important job I have ever been entrusted with. And I’m sure that every mom reading this would agree that it is equally rewarding and difficult.

I tried to remember that God saw me! Even in the mundane seemingly unimportant moments, he was there and what I was doing really mattered. And that helped me to realized how important it was to persevere in the tough times, to enjoy my kiddos and most importantly to seize every opportunity to teach them right from wrong.

Troy was a wonderful encouragement to me. When feeling stressed or overwhelmed with the craziness that accompanies parenting, we would talk it over and he was affirming and encouraging. We were in this parenting thing together.

What did you feel when you were diagnosed with cancer?

In November of 2020 life was good. I was a physically strong, active wife, mother, Mimi, and pastor’s wife. After experiencing some pain and wondering If I had cracked a rib exercising, I went in for a check-up. Things kind of spiraled quickly when I was told that I had stage IV metastatic breast cancer.

In those early days, to say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. Shock, fear, uncertainty—these words fail miserably at describing the emotions Troy and I were both experiencing.

I remember clearly however, crying out to God and asking Him to give me peace. I said specifically, “God, if you will give me your peace, then I can face anything.” I had spent my life reading the word of God, but it became alive in ways that I had never experienced. And as I saturated my mind with the truth I found in its pages, the peace of God flowed in and overcame the darkness.

Being given a terminal diagnosis has a way of distilling every thought and idea. It has made me yearn for what is true! Not what I feel, or what the opinions of others might be, but what is true. I have found this truth in the pages of scripture, and it has been the life giving, stabilizing foundation throughout the past three and a half years.

Is there a message for other women or girls who might be battling a life-threatening disease?

I believe one of the great enemies of our peace when we are suffering with a life-threatening disease is giving way to self-pity; of becoming so self-focused that everything revolves around me. And we forget about those around us who are also suffering. I have spent countless hours on the couch in the past three years watching the people that I love do the work that I wished I had the strength to do myself.

One afternoon my sister-in-law Julia came over with my nieces to clean my house. As they told me goodbye and walked out the door, I felt an unbearable longing to go with them. I wanted to step outside of my weak and diseased body and just walk away from my cancer—just for an hour. 
I know that these feelings are normal. But I have found that dwelling on what is not possible, robs me of experiencing the grace God wants to pour into my impossible situation.

A famous missionary, Amy Carmichael once said, “In acceptance, lieth peace.” And while I have fought this cancer with a vengeance; I dislike it; I pray that a cure will be discovered soon, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, I choose to receive and focus on the peace that God gives to me.

You made the decision to seek hospice care. Please share what is in your heart. 

Cancer treatment is exhausting. And to continue to pursue treatment when it is not working to destroy the cancer seems futile. 
I came to the realization that the effects of the harsh treatment were robbing me of my quality of life.

When I began cancer treatment, I was hoping to add some more years to my life. And I have been blessed to be present for both my son’s weddings, and to welcome four new grandbabies into the world.

I have peace about my decision to fight for different things now. While Hospice cannot add days to my life, it has added life to my days. And most importantly, I know that this life is not all there is for me!

My hope is in what is coming next. Heaven is real, and I want to spend the rest of my days both enjoying my family and looking forward to that reality.

About Janel Keaton

Janel Keaton is a strong woman of faith with stage IV cancer, who recently went on Hospice care. Janel has been married to her husband Troy, a pastor, for 34 years. Together they have shepherded three congregations. 18 years ago they planted EastLake Community Church at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. EastLake is rapidly growing, community involved, church family that includes an academy with 550 students. Janel is most proud of having raised two daughters and two sons. She finds her greatest delight in them and the 8 grandchildren they have produced.