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Sharing Our Stories
(Picture Credit goes to my dear husband)
We all love
a good story. People flock to the movies or watch TV. Others read books, blogs, and the news. They do this for different reasons, but each contains a story or part of story. Sometimes the stories provide entertainment. Other times stories help
us connect with the story teller or understand ourselves better as we relate to the story. A story
can get us through a hard time. Maybe the story allows us to step back from our life and drama and get lost instead in someone else’s story.
a good story. People flock to the movies or watch TV. Others read books, blogs, and the news. They do this for different reasons, but each contains a story or part of story. Sometimes the stories provide entertainment. Other times stories help
us connect with the story teller or understand ourselves better as we relate to the story. A story
can get us through a hard time. Maybe the story allows us to step back from our life and drama and get lost instead in someone else’s story.
When stories are
told face to face, there is often a connection-a time of understanding where we
really see each other more clearly. Some
of my best memories are sitting around a table with family or friends sharing
stories. Sometimes the stories are
experiences we had in common. Other
times, story teller is giving a gift- a chance to know something important to
him or her.
told face to face, there is often a connection-a time of understanding where we
really see each other more clearly. Some
of my best memories are sitting around a table with family or friends sharing
stories. Sometimes the stories are
experiences we had in common. Other
times, story teller is giving a gift- a chance to know something important to
him or her.
Next week,
I will have been in Africa one month.
As I get to know my team and the ladies here, I have loved hearing their
stories over coffee or in the car as we drive to the different stores. These ladies are
survivors. Many were a part of the health epidemic crisis two years ago. There were
evacuations, families separated, and local friends who died. These ladies
endured and leaned hard into Jesus during those tough times. They are still
recovering from all that goes with being part of a traumatic event, but they
are recovering. As I listen, I am
reminded of the times we were evacuated, separated and had friends die. We also had to endure during our time in
Central Asia, but now is not the time to say that. Now is the time to listen and realize that I
am not alone. These ladies know how to do hard- even if it is a different kind
of hard.
I will have been in Africa one month.
As I get to know my team and the ladies here, I have loved hearing their
stories over coffee or in the car as we drive to the different stores. These ladies are
survivors. Many were a part of the health epidemic crisis two years ago. There were
evacuations, families separated, and local friends who died. These ladies
endured and leaned hard into Jesus during those tough times. They are still
recovering from all that goes with being part of a traumatic event, but they
are recovering. As I listen, I am
reminded of the times we were evacuated, separated and had friends die. We also had to endure during our time in
Central Asia, but now is not the time to say that. Now is the time to listen and realize that I
am not alone. These ladies know how to do hard- even if it is a different kind
of hard.
Sometimes
we think we are the only one who is going through a hard time. No one else can possibly understand what we
are going through. It is in our stories
that we find out that we have the same struggles but maybe for different
reasons. It is in our stories that we
learn from each other’s perspectives.
Mostly it is in our stories that we see God is glorified and sovereign
in all times and seasons. Some of our
stories have happy endings, and for others the happy endings seem
impossible. But happy ending or not, we
find healing as we listen to and share our stories. We connect and begin to understand the other
person. Often God gives us a glimpse of
what He sees in this one made in his image. Other times we are encouraged to endure as we hear God’s faithfulness in the stories of our friends.
we think we are the only one who is going through a hard time. No one else can possibly understand what we
are going through. It is in our stories
that we find out that we have the same struggles but maybe for different
reasons. It is in our stories that we
learn from each other’s perspectives.
Mostly it is in our stories that we see God is glorified and sovereign
in all times and seasons. Some of our
stories have happy endings, and for others the happy endings seem
impossible. But happy ending or not, we
find healing as we listen to and share our stories. We connect and begin to understand the other
person. Often God gives us a glimpse of
what He sees in this one made in his image. Other times we are encouraged to endure as we hear God’s faithfulness in the stories of our friends.
As I
listen, I am encouraged to keep seeking God, to keep immersing myself in His
word, and to remember that God is not finished with me yet. What story has God
given you? How is God working in you during this season of your life? Would you be willing to tell me your story? I
don’t usually get a lot of comments on my blog but today I want that to be
different. Not because I want a lot of
comments, but because I want to hear your story and what God is doing in your life.
May we encourage each other today with our stories.
listen, I am encouraged to keep seeking God, to keep immersing myself in His
word, and to remember that God is not finished with me yet. What story has God
given you? How is God working in you during this season of your life? Would you be willing to tell me your story? I
don’t usually get a lot of comments on my blog but today I want that to be
different. Not because I want a lot of
comments, but because I want to hear your story and what God is doing in your life.
May we encourage each other today with our stories.
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2 thoughts on “Sharing Our Stories”
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My story is one of redemption. I ignored the voice of the holy spirit in my life because I decided something else seemed better. I wish i could say the story didn't end up as you imagined, but it did. I was a mess, my life was a mess. And only through forgiveness did i find my way back. And somehow God said "see all that brokeness? I can use it." And He has. Oh how he has! Now i lead worship at our local jail for women and can testify that God is in the business of setting people free!
Donna, Thanks for sharing your story. I love how God takes our mess and in the end uses it for his glory . Praying for you today as you testify to others of how God sets people free. TJ