If I want to get to know you I don’t look at a resume or the list of letters after your name. If I want to get to know you I will listen to your stories. I can know about you from what people tell me, but knowing you comes from your stories. This way I can learn about your character and your heart. I learn what you value and what you love.
We tell about ourselves every day through anecdotes and conversations. We write our stories in blogs and emails. We tell our stories indirectly through fiction. ( Yes, Little Bunny often has our same issues and reveals our inmost fears and feelings.) The stories we tell and write reveal who we are.
God reveals Himself through the stories in the Bible. I can know about God from what people tell me, but knowing God comes from reading and valuing His stories. This way I can learn about God’s character and His heart. I learn what He values and what He loves.
Stories move us. This is their power. Written stories are frozen voices that come to life when we read them. No other art form involves us in the same way—allows us to be with another human being—to feel joy when he laughs, to share her sorrow, to follow the twists and turns of his plotting and scheming, to realize her insufficiencies and failures and absurdities, to grasp the tools of her resistance—from within the mind itself. Such experience—such knowledge from within—makes us feel that we are not alone in our flawed humanity.” ~ Margaret Atwood
Are you telling your story today? Are you listening, reading and valuing the stories of the people around you? Are you reading God’s stories?
What do stories mean to you?
Laurie and Betsy
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This is excellent, Sisters. I think the blog is a miraculous invention, planned by God (rather than the tech geeks). I’m telling my story through poetry and bits of conversation–feeling accepted, valued, even loved; and hopefully, giving that generously to others I “meet” here–a “sharing hearts” thing which enriches and heals. God bless you both–love, sis Caddo
So well said Caddo! Amazing that folks all over the world can read our blogs and share our hearts. May God strengthen you as you generously give!
I love these ideas! When I hear and read about “social media” it seems so technical and cold. My experience with blogging is connection. It is a place to share our thoughts and feelings and creativity. It is also a place to connect with community. “A miraculous invention”. Thanks. B
Yep. Stories are our soul revealed. Great post.
My storiies, in poem, picture, or narrative, not only tell a lot of who I am, but they are a tool for me to process who I am and how I am dealing with life. When pain comes, it is the best way for me to work through it and in doing so pray-write and reach for God.
How wonderful this post is. Stories . . . words are everything! The power, the magic! I just yesterday sent off an article to the paper for consideration as a “guest writer” about teaching children to tell their stories – a job I had last year teaching creative writing to small children inspired the story. Our stories not only reveal our souls to the world, but they also reveal to us our true selves!
Reading this I can see the difference between you skills as writers, and my inadequacies as a blogger. Have either you read the opening chapter of RADICAL together by David Platt? It starts with a story of just one drop of water..
Thanks! Appreciate your comment and your taking the time to read the blog. Haven’t read Radical. One drop of water is an intriguing thought. Blessings.
There will always be stories and those who read them. I don’t think god has anything to do with it, though. People are creative all on their own, and our gifts are ours because we make them so, not because they were given to us.
http://maevemcmurray.com/2012/07/22/the-booker-award/
I like this blog, though, regardless of any religious differences or opinions. That’s why I’ve nominated you for the Booker Award
Thanks, Maeve. I really appreciate your nomination and your comments about liking the blog regardless of religious differences. We can all value each others stories and unique opinions. Everyone is welcome. Thanks for reading and commenting. B
I bloggedd this week about my mother- our changing connection. I people watch all the time, I’m wondering about their stories. When I drive by houses while running errands or going to doctor appointments, I wonder about the stories of the families who live in those houses…my grandmother told me that I ask too many questions. Yet, my interest is sincere. I want to know people stories.
~Linda Joyce
So interesting to read this today. As I drove home I noticed a several different people walking, and I wondered what their story would be. The woman walking with a gallon of milk, staring blankly off in the distance. The long haired guy akwardly riding a girl’s bike. The older lady briskly walking down the sidewalk with her wide brimmed straw hat flopping with each step. And what would they wonder about me and my story? Interesting thoughts for a drive home…
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