Everyone of us has a story that should be shared. I love telling our story. Sometimes I come to the end of our story and I feel beaten up, but more often I feel elated and privileged to be one of the protagonists in a story I would have never written or signed up for. I love telling our story. I love it because…
- It allows me to emotionally connect with others
- It inspires people
- It makes me feel alive and still connected with David and God
- It heals me and it creates an opportunity for the person listening to experience healing themselves
- It brings meaning and hope from one of the most broken parts of my life and I want people to know that they too can have hope
Janel Litherland, the author of The Wonderful Art of Storytelling writes,
Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand. They imprint a picture on our minds. Want to make a point or raise an issue? Tell a story.
One of the reasons a weekend getaway with David’s Refuge is so powerful is you are given a chance to tell your story and listen to others share theirs as well. It is one of the most powerful and wonderful parts of the weekend. Sometimes I will hear people say, “Well, my story isn’t very long or moving.” Your story doesn’t have to be a long drawn out 12 part docuseries. Someone once challenged Ernest Hemingway to write a story using only six words. He accepted the challenge and wrote “For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.” Short yet powerful! So tell your story!
I know some people are afraid to tell their story because they are afraid they might start crying or make the other person start crying. If you have ever heard me tell my story you know I often “leak” tears as I share it. I am so grateful I don’t wear mascara! I read this quote earlier this week, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Do you want people to better understand what your life is like? Do want them to understand the incredible joy it is to be the parent of your child but also the challenges you face on a daily basis? Then share your story. Be real and vulnerable. Don’t sanitize it; just share it.
Last week I had an opportunity to share our story with a young lady who is living with us for 13 weeks. As I told our adventure, I leaked tears, lots of them. Alyssa had her Kleenex box at hand as well. I shared the whole story: the good, the bad, and the ugly. We laughed and cried together. It made me miss David, but it also made me grateful for how his life has made a difference in so many people’s lives. It made me cling to the hope I have as a Christian that I will see David again. I can’t wait for that day. I am so glad Alyssa asked me to share our story. Will you share yours with someone today? I would love to hear it.