I blew it. I was on a radio show Monday morning and now, two days later, I am still wrestling with something I said. Has that ever happened to you? Something comes out of your mouth that was okay, but it wasn’t exactly what you meant to say? I want a do-over. Let me see if I can say it a little better in writing…
Here’s the situation. I was on the show to talk about my cancer journey and the upcoming Athens Race for the Cure. I had an entire hour to share my story! Do you know what it would cost to buy an hour of radio time? This was a priceless opportunity. Anyway, I digress.
The radio host asked where I found my strength and humor through my battle with breast cancer. I told him the story that I’ve shared on my blog, that after I had taken the tests, but before I even had the diagnosis, I felt God impressing something on my heart. The message was this: It’s going to be cancer. I need you to walk this journey publicly to show other women that I am with them in times of trouble. I need you to show them what my love looks like.
The radio host asked an important follow-up question. He said, “What advice do you have for people who don’t have your faith?”
That is where I blew it. I went on to stammer something about confiding in good friends and putting your feelings down on paper.
What I should have said is, “Get God now! In the good times, when you have your wits about you and can learn how much He loves you and all the promises He has made for His believers. He will come to you in your suffering, but it’s way easier if you walk into the suffering with Him holding your hand.”
You know, I think one of the sneakiest tricks of the devil is to let us have the good life. When all is well, we can become complacent. God? Why do I need God? I have a new truck and a 55 inch flatscreen. I’ll find God later, if I need Him. Right now, I don’t want to rock the boat. Things are good.
Rock the boat, people. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but at some point, you will need God. You will need his protection, provision, healing, counseling, wisdom, and eventually, you will need a ticket through the pearly gates of Heaven.
So that’s it. That’s my do-over. Thank you for letting me say here, what I should have had the guts to say on that radio program. Rock the boat my friends. Please. Get God now.
