Why, God?

"Why does God let bad things happen to good people?"
"Why am I even here?"
"What difference do I make?"

Have you ever heard these questions? Or maybe you've asked them yourself?
In a conversation yesterday, I got a glimpse into some possible answers.

Maybe bad things are simply an opportunity to be shown the blessings God surrounds us with everyday.

(Names are changed.)

Shelli's brother-in-law, Charles, has been diagnosed with a cancer that's causing site loss. He is a husband and a father of two adorable little girls. In a few weeks, he'll undergo surgery to treat the cancer. Bad things happen to good people.

In the days since his diagnosis, people have come out of the woodwork to offer anything and everything in ways of helping. As one example, he made the comment that he would never need to cut another blade of grass for the rest of his life for all the people who have said they'd mow his lawn. It's a humbling experience to have people poor themselves out for you. Charles is a humble guy that spends all his energy pouring into others. Now is a time for him to receive the return blessing in the midst of his awful circumstances. Good things happen in bad circumstances.

So that's great. He's one of "those guys," but I'm not "that" guy.
What difference do I make?
Well, here's the kicker.

Charles and his family go to my church.

They go to this church because Shelli invited them to come to the place that has had an impact on her life.

Shelli comes to the church because she was invited by one of her dental patients, Liz.

My sweet friend, Liz.
What if she had just sat there quietly in the dental chair and not gotten to know Shelli?
Never mentioned her church?
What if Shelli had kept it to herself?
Where would Charles and his family be now?

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.