We attach meaning to events. Theists and non-theists attach meaning. We just do so in different ways. Theists insist on transcendent meaning. Non-theists contend meaning is embedded and does not have an existential thread. For the one it seems meaning may be derived outside the person. The other sees meaning as within.
Michael Spencer gives meaning to the illness of his friend. It is transcendent. It is existential. For him, meaning is in Jesus.