When I shared my testimony at church a few weeks ago, I never could have imagined that God would have used it in the ways that he has.  I have been connected with people, I have been encouraged by people, and I have been blessed by people.  When I’ve been asked to share my testimony in the past, I normally either decline politely or skirt around the difficult parts.  It’s easy to make a testimony that sounds like life is all butterflies and rainbows (it’s also rather short), and it’s easy to give that testimony.  It’s infinitely harder to talk about the parts of your life that you’re ashamed of, the parts that you wish were different, the parts that are difficult.  But it’s those parts of my life that have made me who I am today.  I would not be the same person if I didn’t have CF.  I wouldn’t be where I am, and I wouldn’t be who I am.  I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to share my story with people, and impact their lives, and they in turn impact mine.

True, I can’t walk into church now without someone asking me how I’m doing, but is that so bad?  The body of Christ should be asking, praying, seeking, healing, and encouraging people.  The body should accept and help those who are hurting – physically, mentally, socially, spiritually.  The body should be going, teaching, healing, reaching people for God.  I’ve seen a whole new side of God’s grace in these past few weeks.  I’ve seen Him encourage through people, speak through people, and love through people.  I’ve seen Him bless people through me, encourage people through me, and speak to people through me.  That makes it seem better, that I’ve gone through these hard times, and it makes it seem justified – that he can use me through my weakness and my story.

I will never know completely the impact that my story has had on people.  I may never know what God has done through me in every situation.  But I do know this – that whatever I say, whatever I do, wherever I go for Him, He will use it for His glory.

I don’t have it all together.  I’m not perfect.  I slip up, I fall, I fail.  I stumble, I cry, I hurt.  I don’t have it all together.  But I know that through God’s all sufficient grace that I will press on, I will run the race, and I will finish.  Not by my own power, but by the power given to all people by His love and mercy.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking in anything.  James 1:2-4