Whose Story Do You Need To Hear?

by Michele Husfelt on January 29

I just listened to a friend share her story at her church and I’m now sitting with many jumbled thoughts and feelings. She was inspiring. Through many difficult challenges and circumstances, she kept her eyes on Jesus as He remained faithful.

She was honest and vulnerable. At many heartbreaking bends and devastating diagnoses, she asked questions most of us have whispered, but are not brave enough to voice to others. “Oh, God, why?” And “how much longer?” And “not again! How much more can I take?”

She never gave up. Suffering two miscarriages, two different cancers, another health issue resulting in being wheelchair-bound for a year, the deaths of her parents and brother, a bout with depression, and the loss of a precious baby girl at the age of four days. (The Lord did give her the miracle of two other beautiful daughters who have smiles one would need a yardstick to measure. What a gift as she was told she would never be able to have children due to one of the cancer treatments.) Through it all, even when enveloped with doubt and fear, her Savior remained faithful.

As l listened to her share, I beamed with pride. After all, she was one of “my” PWOC gals. (Protestant Women of the Chapel is a ministry to women on military installations worldwide. I affectionately refer to the many women who are the ages of my daughters that I’ve walked with during different assignments as “my” girls.)

We journeyed together for two years, gathering weekly (minus several months during Covid) and seeing each other around the base. Yet after hearing her testimony, I sadly realized I didn’t really know her. I had no idea the abyss she had lived through.

As l listened to her testimony, I was reminded of our time together in New Jersey. Quiet and attentive, she knew and loved Jesus. She was extremely reliable and cheerfully willing to lend a hand wherever she was needed, whether it be in the kitchen or the children’s rooms. The girl I remembered was kind and gentle with a heart to serve, yet I didn’t understand the depth of her loss and the brokenness out of which she had risen.

As I finished listening to her story, I was encouraged and inspired by the strength of her faith. But I was also sad. Sad that I had not taken the time to learn this sweet sister’s story. Sad I had not been aware of the many anniversaries of loss she silently suffered in those years we were together. Grateful she had a supportive family and other friends who knew her, yet sad I was not aware and able to offer comfort when she may have needed an extra dose.

I sit and ponder the many lessons the Lord has revealed to me as I reflect on hearing my friends’ story. I ask God for His eyes to see those around me more clearly. Scripture is clear that we need each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us that “two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Most of all, I pray I will be more intentional to create space and moments where others feel safe and loved and free to share their stories.

Thank you, Friend, for bravely sharing yours with me and so many others. May we all come to understand the power of each other’s stories.