Come, everyone, and clap for joy! Shout triumphant praises to the Lord!—Psalm 47:1 (TLB)

My friend Heidi rang the bell a few weeks ago, surrounded by people clapping and cheering. She had just finished twelve rounds of chemotherapy treatments and celebrated in the way that has become a tradition in cancer treatment centers around the world. Patients loudly ring a bell to mark the end of their treatments, a sound that becomes a symbol of hope for everybody in the treatment center who hears it.

According to Heidi, the time spent getting infusions can feel lonely and long. “For me, it was one of the hardest realities of having cancer,” she told me. “But it was also a spiritual experience. I knew I was never alone. God was clearly with me and helped me get through it. I thanked Him for His goodness when I rang that bell.”

Heidi claims that the bell ringing has become even more meaningful as she keeps remembering it. “I’m now a survivor, and we are important reminders for all those coming along behind us. When we ring the bell, we are telling them there is an end to their treatments. And they, too, will ring the bell someday soon. They are walking on hope as they continue their treatments.”

I especially like Heidi’s story because I, too, am a cancer survivor. I finished my twelve chemotherapy treatments before the bell-ringing tradition was established. I know there are no guarantees that cancer won’t ever come back, but I join Heidi in celebrating God’s goodness.