We all have a story and we love to hear stories. When I was a child, I loved listening to stories of long ago as my grandmother told it – weaving life into gold. It allowed me to see glimpses of the fleeting moments of her metamorphosis from young girl to the wise and wrinkled on the pages of her story.
Stories were everywhere. I’d go next door and listen to old neighborhood men resting on porch rockers, whittling figures from dead wood, spinning yarns of what could’ve been . . . if only . . .
Then, in school I’d hear historical tales of the founding heroes who walked this earth with feet of clay and wonder why their story wasn’t perfect. Once I read the Bible, I found the flawed and fallible hidden between the covers.
The wonderful part of your story is no one else has it and you’re the only one who can tell it . . . or can you?
There’s something about taking time from the world to visit yourself and hear what you’re about. The sacred place where we recognize holy moments while looking at our life from an aerial view . . . through God’s eyes.
We can dissect our life experiences to discover what and Who reigned. But, in spite of it all, He has our timeline covered, not only from birth to final breath and ever after, but since the foundations of the world.
The God-Author of non-fiction has handwritten our story. He designed us to do life. Our choice is to decide whether to thrive or merely survive throughout the chapters. If we simply go through daily motions on a pretend journey in a land of what we wish, we’ll never discover who He is, or who we are and were meant to be.
Everyone has a story whether it’s written in our journal or a historical book. We’re all living to walk this life by trial and error. And the amazing part is there is One who can still redeem our history.
So, how do we change the story we wish were re-written? Review the chapters that end in defeat and believe for a victorious sequel. We can believe the Word of God and begin right on the step we’re on – the next one. It can take us to a new place no matter where we’ve visited, or how long we stayed.
I’ve lived life long, and have met many who’ve shown there is a great story wrapped inside the one standing right in front of us. We simply need to take the time to listen and realize that sometimes it means listening between the words.
What’s your story?
Verna
Verna, you are so right about each person before us has a story. A great gift we can give them is over a teacup.
T-time
e-encouragement
a-acceptance in
C-Christ’s
u-uplifting
p-presence.
I’ve found over the years inviting ladies to a teatime creates a comfortable time for them to share their stories. I like to invite them after a few sips of tea and several bites of sweets to brag on what Jesus has done in their lives lately.
Meaningful relationships are build when sharing real life stories.
Thank you for your encouraging post today.
Encourage on!
Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn – I remember when I heard “your story” – so amazing and inspirational. I’m sure you’ve heard many stories over the tea cup 🙂
Thanks for your post and yes we each have a story and even if it is only a segment of our lives we have no way to know how it will help others! I just listened to a short video posted by Chad Mureta and he spoke of only a year out of his life on Vimeo after what could have been a fatal car accident. Don’t let fear stand if your way of caring and sharing! Thanks again Verna! Rick =)
You’re right – sometimes we may see a segment of our life as just a piece that we walked through, but that may be the one we need to share to have another know they can, also! Thanks so much Rick.
Verna,
So grateful you are living your dream with your story…or part of it written down…for others to grow by. Now please pray for me as I try and get a blog together. Someone just suggested I write “Pruned to Bloom”. I was trying to encourage her and she turned it back on me…now the Lord has my attention. Was not my plans for today…but obviously His! Please pray for empowering grace as I write!
Well, yes . . . the part I could write down. I’m grateful, also. I will be praying as you continue your writing ministry – and Pruned to Bloom must be ready to grow! How long have we waited for direction in this? I know you’ll be listening and following Father’s good lead this day and the days ahead. You have definitely been pruned to bloom beautifully. Love you, Glenda.
I love how HIS story is part of our history. And, the markers – memorial stones we set are the way we pass along His faithfulness to the next generation.
One for me is when I became pregnant even when it wasn’t part of my hubby’s ten-year plan. God used that in amazing ways to draw us together, praying together, and trusting in God’s timing instead of our own.
Now we can laugh about it….back then, he didn’t see the humor right away.