What's Your Story?

1 Thessalonians 5:11  Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I have always been a storyteller.  No matter the people gathered in my presence, I always seems to have a story on the tip of my tongue just waiting to be told.  Over the past few weeks, there is one story I have not been anxious to tell.  It is the story of how I broke a bone, my first break ever in 46 years.  All my life, I have heard fascinating stories about broken bones.  These stories often included big words to describe adventurous activities.  When I was young, my little sister broke her leg in a sledding accident.  Because she was so shy and I had too many words, even at that age, it worked out perfectly for the big sister to be the storyteller.  I remember being more than happy to share her "sledding saga!"  I'm quite certain I added extra words each time.

Recently, as I hobbled into church with a boot on my right foot, I felt apprehensive about telling my tale.  To some, I even remember saying, "Oh it's a long story.  I fractured a bone on the top of my foot.  I'll be in this boot for only a couple of weeks!"  Here's the true irony of that previous statement:  My story was only 12 words!  I dropped a cream of mushroom soup can on my bare foot.  That's it...a plain, simple, short story.  Perhaps it was the clumsiness of my accident or the lack of overall "pizazz" in my tale that kept me silent for the first time in my life...seriously!  I truly don't know.  However, in the few weeks since my injury (suffered while simply trying to cook!), I have gained some valuable insight.

We all have a story waiting to be told.  It is a story that will be lost in a "sea of scrolling" on social media.  It is a story that may lose its meaning over the phone.  I love the message translation of Romans 12:15 Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down.  Praise God for opportunities we have to gather with others, face-to-face, and share our souls.  Let us devote time in our lives for those special moments, and celebrate their importance along the way.

Someone needs to hear your story.  When you are wearing a boot on your foot, other "former and present boot wearers" will always find you.  They want to know what happened, and they will be anxious to share the details of their injuries, too.  I learned that there are many other clumsy people in the world!  In one's spiritual journey, he/she never knows the healing grace or overwhelming hope others may experience as we share our stories.  Your story can shine God's radiant light into the darkness of another's present day experience.  Thank you, Jesus for this beautiful reality.

I imagine there were times, as Jesus began telling a story to others around Him, that He would pause, refocus or change His words.  As we share our hearts, we will likely do the same.  Praise God for our messy, imperfect, crazy life experiences.  His amazing grace always carries us through!  Today, what is the story on your heart?  Pray for courage as you prepare to tell others.  Pray for wisdom as God guides you to the right spaces and places to share.  Wait expectantly for the beautiful peace God provides as you tell your story.  Amen.