"Praise The Lord:" Mom facing cancer hopes to bring others to God

"There's a reason why I was chosen to go through this"

(MILAN, Ind.) – Lawrenceburg native Shelby Scalf is a young mother and daycare worker who recently received some life-changing news that she wasn't expecting.

She had undergone some medical testing and went to a follow-up meeting by herself in March that she thought was routine.

That’s when the 27-year-old found out that she has Stage 4 Cancer. 

Shelby and her fiancé, Jacob, know her fight is just beginning but she isn’t asking anyone to feel sorry for her. 

“I am not angry at God whatsoever. This motivates me to bring even more people to the Lord,” Shelby said. 

Shelby and Jacob didn’t grow up going to church but that changed a few years ago when they began attending The Bridge of Hope Worship Center in Milan.

They've been on a faith journey ever since and it's become part of everything Shelby does, long before the grim diagnosis. 

Scalf works as the Lead Infant Teacher at God’s Bright Ministries daycare in Bright. She chose to work there because it gives her the opportunity to teach children in a Christian environment. 

The daycare says Shelby has a soul on fire to bring as many people to God and that is clearly evident the first time you meet her. 

She's often reading the Bible and is fully committed to spreading the Word to anyone she can reach. 

“Since the diagnosis, a lot of people ask me how they can help. My only answer is to go to church and read the Bible. And grow your own personal relationship with the Lord,” she said. 

She added, “If I can get up and praise the Lord on Sunday's after all of this, so can everyone else.”

Her pastor often talks about how society continually evolves, from technology to new inventions, but there is one thing that stays the same: God’s Word. 

“So, why wouldn’t we rely on the Bible? That’s the only thing that stands the test of time because everything else is evolutionary and going to change,” she said. 

Shelby also mentioned that there is nowhere in the Bible that states people won’t suffer. 

“It’s just a matter of how you’re going to handle these difficult situations and how you're going to get through it,” she said. "Jesus suffered much worse and he did it for everyone of us."

"There Was A Reason I Was Chosen For This"

Shelby says this experience has been incredibly humbling and made her realize how she used to waste time worrying or complaining about trivial things. 

She also admits that there are brief moments she gets scared and sometimes wonders if reality has fully sunk in. 

But, you won’t catch her complaining or asking why this has happened to her.

“I have said since the day they told me that it was probably cancer, that I don’t know how someone goes through something like this without genuinely having faith. And true faith is accepting the things you can’t see,” she explained. 

Shelby is confident that the Lord did not make a mistake with her diagnosis. 

While she is going to fight as hard as she can, her main priority is bringing others closer to the Lord. 

“I want others to experience this faith so much. This has been something we’ve prayed about even before this diagnosis,” she said. 

She added, “I’m not on the mountain top of life right now. I'm in the deepest valley and I am still praising the Lord. Because I know He is everywhere around me.” 

Shelby is also focused on being there for her two young children and there is a celebration in store this coming weekend. 

She and Jacob have been engaged for several years and were planning an October wedding. They are now going to get married this Saturday!

In regard to her cancer diagnosis, Shelby said something powerful that shows exactly where she is now:

“I don’t know if I will get through this physically, but I know I’m going to get through it spiritually, and with my faith, no matter what happens, I know Heaven is on the other side”

Her Message to Others

Shelby has noticed that people try not to complain around her about their problems, due to the seriousness of her situation. 

She wants them and you to know that your problems are just as valid as hers. 

Her advice to others is to pray about it as much as you can and to truly seek God.

“Our pastor has said just don’t pray for something once, pray for it 10 times a day. God will deliver, however, it might not be in your timing. His timing is superior to all else and is so much greater than anything we could ever imagine," she said.

Whether you're already on your faith journey, have fallen away, or just beginning – Shelby says she would be honored if she's a small part of bringing you closer to God. 

“As a Christian and child of God, it is one of our duties to bring as many people to the Lord and to help build his Kingdom,” she said. 

“And while we don’t know the outcome of my scenario and we pray for the best, I truly believe this whole situation is part of my duty to bring others to the Lord," she added.

Benefit In June

Shelby says God’s Bright Ministries has been incredibly supportive and have stepped up to not only support her but also her family. 

The daycare has organized a benefit that will be held at the Harrison VFW Duwel Post 7570 from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. 

Organizers are seeking donations for gift baskets, silent auctions and monetary gifts.

The benefit will also feature split the pot, a corn hole tournament, music, food trucks and a bake sale. 

If you want to donate items, such as a gift basket, contact (812) 637-6830. 

“Every donation, prayer, and act of kindness helps lift her up and reminds us that together, through faith, we can stand strong and make a difference,” God’s Bright Ministries said.

You can read more about Shelby and her family by clicking here.