S7 Episode #4 - Caitlan Reese Killian
THE ONE WITH CAITLAN REESE KILLIAN
This week we are excited to welcome blogger and podcaster Caitlan Reese Killian to the show! Caitlan is a Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer thriver with a mission to celebrate God's goodness in all things. In this episode, Caitlan shares her powerful story of dealing with disappointment, experiencing the goodness of God in her darkest moments, finding an unexpected kind of healing, and remaining rooted in her true identity. She reminds us that God’s goodness and grace are available to us in any moment because He is with us in every moment.
Caitlan is also the founder of Still Good Co. Her mission is to affirm Thrivers’ worth, to build a community of women claiming their goodness, and to change the narrative of breast cancer awareness to include all women. Check out the shop and support metastatic breast cancer research!
A Little more about CAITLAN
Caitlan is a writer and Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer thriver in western North Carolina. Her mission is to celebrate God's goodness in all things! She began blogging after a devastating diagnosis in 2019, but found healing through words. She encourages women to see and celebrate God's goodness in all areas of life through the "Goodness & Grace" podcast and email newsletter. She is also the founder of Still Good Co, spreading the message of our innate goodness far and wide- one t-shirt at a time! You can find Caitlan snuggling her fluffy cat, Moo, or daytripping with her sweet husband, Andrew, looking forward to the future.
LISTEN
WATCH
We’re sorry! There is no video this week, videos will be back next week. :)
SHOW NOTES
God is with you in every phase of your life. No matter where you may find yourself, God is still there.
Caitlan shares that throughout her life, many doors seemed unexpectedly closed and there were delays that she couldn’t understand at the time. However, through each delay, God never left her.
In 2019, all of her carefully laid plans were lining up perfectly. Then she was unexpectedly diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Suddenly, everything she thought her life would be was drastically changed.
A NEW IDEA OF HEALING
Answered prayers aren’t always what we expect. As Caitlan was praying for the physical healing of her body, she realized that God was instead healing her heart.
God slowly opened her eyes to all of the big and small ways that He was taking care of her every day. Even if it didn’t fit the picture of what she had hoped healing would look like, God was still providing for her and caring for her everyday.
There is so much comfort in the fact that God is always healing, redeeming and making all things news. Physical healing doesn’t have to define God’s ultimate healing in your life. The scans and treatments may not look like healing, but God is always at work in your relationships and your outlook. The more you can see His hand at work sending you help, you will see Him everywhere.
THE GOODNESS OF GOD
Affirming God’s goodness and grace in our lives!
God’s answer is always the kindest answer He can give. He is always kind and He is always good. This can never change.
No matter what may happen in our lives or bodies, God is the one constant. Our lives and bodies may change in an instant, but God is still good.
God wants for us to live abundant lives. He is a good Father.
A NEW IDENTITY
About 3 years into her cancer journey, Caitlan hit a very dark spot. Things were looking up– the cancer appeared to be gone, she got engaged, returned to the classroom and felt like her prayers were completely answered. However, this season didn’t last long and the cancer returned. She couldn’t understand why this had to be her path.
Caitlin realized that her whole identity had been wrapped up in the things that she could do. God gently showed her that her true identity isn’t about what she can do, but rather about simply being with God. She learned that God is with her in even the darkest, most confusing places, and when we have nothing left to give, God invites us to rest in His presence and just be.
Our true identity is not about what we can do. It’s about who we are in Christ. You are first and foremost a child of God, no matter what space you find yourself in.
There is a constant temptation to achieve more in order to prove our worth. However, being His child means we already have full approval and worth. When we are seeking the approval of others, we must remember that we already have the only approval that we truly need.
Christ is the only one who can truly fill the longing of our hearts to belong.
DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT
God is hurting with you. God did not wish this upon you. Even in the darkest moments, or the deepest disappointments, God is still there. He still cares and His heart breaks with you.
God’s goodness is available to you because He is with you.
When everything else seems to be falling apart, cling to God because He will never fail you.
STILL GOOD CO.
Still Good Co. is Caitlan’s fundraiser for metastatic breast cancer research, donating 15% of each item sold to Metavivor. Their mission is to affirm Thrivers’ worth, to build a community of women claiming their goodness, and to change the narrative of breast cancer awareness to include all women.
FINAL THOUGHTS
God’s goodness and grace are available to us in any moment because He is with us in every moment.
NEXT STEPS
Here are a few action steps to help you dip deeper this week!
Take time to think through your week. Where can you identify examples of God’s goodness? When did he send a helper?
What areas of your life have defined your identity? Take time in prayer releasing those parts of your life to God. Take time practicing being still in His presence.
CONNECT WITH CAITLAN:
| Instagram | Facebook | The Goodness & Grace Podcast | Diagnosis Story |
Thank you, as always, for listening! Please remember that everything we do is funded by those who benefit from our ministry. Our ministry a 501(c)3, so your contribution is tax-deductible.
Our events are centered on worship, restorative creativity, and designated time for reflection, evaluation, and setting intentions.
We help you provide a safe environment for your community to practice low-stakes creative risk-taking that will spur them in their gifting + step further into their calling. Leaders will rise up, ministries and businesses will be born, and all will find a new connection with their true identity.
Imagine what a whole community of Believers who
know who they are in Christ + understand their purpose as Kingdom cultivators can do!
Email us at info@collectedministries.org to book your own Collected Workshop or Retreat today!
CHECK THIS OUT:
The Collected Podcast is a production of Collected Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disciples of Jesus discover and live from their true identity in Christ, recognize and walk in their divine purpose within the Kingdom of God, and experience growth in their capacity for mature, healthy relationships.
Follow us!
Jes French: @jesbiondo
Jes’ Hand Lettering: @sprezzafoundry
Charitable partner: @flourishkenya
The Collected Podcast is produced by Jes French and edited by Jacob Early. Cover art designed by Ben Biondo.