We are god's story

​My friend Michelle recently celebrated 5 years of being cancer free. Yesterday, her husband threw a surprise Covid-style drive by party for her. When I pulled up, Michelle was all smiles.

Because we've been friends for awhile, I knew what those smiles were about. I knew the story she was smiling about wasn't hers, but God's.

While the cancer has been gone for 5 years, those years haven't come without scares and concerns. Yet, through each of them, Michelle has always reminded me long before I could think of reminding her: God's got this.

There's a story in John chapter 9 in the bible. Jesus and his disciples cross paths with a blind man. Jesus' disciples, who were always trying to figure out life just like we're always trying to do, asked him - whose fault is it this guy is blind? Is it because his parents sinned, or is he blind because of his own sins?

Jesus quickly told them this man's blindness is not about fault or punishment, but about an opportunity for God to reveal the story of God. Jesus went on to heal the man. The man went on to share the story of God.

There have been many times over the years I've told my friend Michelle - you are strong or you are courageous or you are an inspiration.

And she's always quick to remind me - not without God.

There have been times lately when that reminder has been powerful. When I talk to her about challenges in my own life, she's quick to say, God's got this. Her "God's got this" comes with extra meaning - it comes across as more than the right Christian thing to say in the moment - because she's always made that the meaning in her own story.

People are listening to the stories we tell about our lives. It's been my experience they are most curious about the stories we tell when life is hard. I think that's because almost everyone has figured out how to navigate life during the good times. It's the hard times that trip them up.

It's the hard times that trip ME up.

That's when it's helpful to have people in my life who've always skipped telling the stories that make themselves look good in favor of telling stories that speak to how good God is.