“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.”
1 Chronicles 16:8
The other day, I was driving through a part of town I don’t normally travel. I began to notice houses which had been left behind by families, now just standing there slowly deconstructing. A dog ran across the road in front of me. It was running on three legs, with the fourth raised a little as if it was injured. As I continued to drive, I passed a laundry mat (or washateria); parked in the front was an ambulance with flashing lights. A little further down the road, at a stop light, I noticed a one-legged woman in a wheel chair, slowly scooting herself along the sidewalk with the one leg she still possessed. I bowed my head a bit, as I sat there at that traffic light, and said a silent prayer. I was reminded that there are stories everywhere!
In midweek service, I listened as people testified about miracles God had performed on their behalf. I listened to prayer request given for sick and dying individuals. I was reminded that there are stories - good and bad - just waiting to be shared!
Again, in Bible study last night, I listened intently as the ladies around my table shared their own unique stories. Abandonment, loss and grief, imprisoned loved ones, past drug use and abuse, failure, regrets, etc. I listened to the miraculous ways of which God had shown up on their behalf, signs He had given them for direction and little, impactful God-winks of encouragement in their days. Again, I was reminded that there are stories everywhere to be found.
The Bible tells about God’s creation, falls and failures, rejection and promotion, babies and kings, births, lives lived, death, and even resurrection. Indeed, there are stories developed every day, from the beginning of time until now - and beyond.
The stories of our lives consist of the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly, but they are ours to share.
During Bible study with these dear ladies, I watched as a story would be told and the eyes of another lady would light up, she would lean in a little closer, then suddenly open up completely to share her own story. It was like a chain reaction, one person’s story cleared the way for someone else’s to be shared. One story told would bring sadness, and compassion; then the next would inspire and encourage.
We’ll probably never know the full impact of our stories, but it’s so important to open up and share them. Someone might be depending on us sharing our struggle or victory. God just might be waiting for us to open our mouths and share how He provided or brought us through before He shows up yet again on our behalf. The question is:
What effect will your story have on those around you?
Our negative situation shared around a table might just be able to have a positive impact on someone else. The story of how we lost a limb and are still moving in life might just inspire someone else and give them the nudge they need to keep going. That relationship woe you share might serve as an eye-opener to someone else and bring about great change in their life. The possibilities are endless.
Our stories shared are opportunities which can result in life turnarounds.
God is the Author of our stories; He allows all of them. Our stories range from negative to positive, from devastating to glorious, from destitute to provided for sufficiently or in abundance. Again, I say the possibilities are endless. What effect will your story have? Have you made a way for God to use what He brought you through to help someone else move forward? I encourage you to give it a try. The Bible says there’s nothing new under the sun, someone has been where you are or have been; they could also be impacted positively knowing how God showed up and out on your behalf.
Your shared story could pave the way for other lives to be healed and changed, simply because they found hope tucked inside of yours.
God works that way! There is a place and time for sharing, and we must be cognizant and discern when the correct time is to share. Let’s not be ashamed of our stories of struggle though; it doesn’t matter that we haven’t always had it together. Someone NEEDS to hear how God turned your life around! Don’t allow pride to stifle our stories and shut us down; instead, let’s share it and allow God to shine through the cracks of our life-worn pots.
Yes, there are stories everywhere…listen, observe and share. Your story might just change a life forever. God’s did!
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