I love a good story. My dad tells the best ones. My favorites are the ones that get him laughing so hard he can’t finish. They usually involve his siblings when they were growing up or college years filled with pranks. By the time he gets to the funny part, I’m laughing right along with him.
I love to wonder about people’s stories. I see old barns like the one above and I wonder who walked in and out of it when it was new. I wonder who hid in it…who worked in it…who was the last one in it. I will never know their stories, but i still wonder.
There are stories that are wonderful to hear. Stories of healing and reconciliation. There are stories that tear the heart open and cause pain. Stories of trauma and hurt and fear. In Psalm 107, we as a redeemed people are called to share our story.
“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”
Psalms 107:2-3 NIV
Not every story we tell will have a happy ending. However, as a redeemed people, every story we tell will include a good God. We have to tell our stories because the world needs to hear of the goodness and faithfulness of God…even when the heartache comes… fear comes…death comes. The world needs to know that our God is good, even when our circumstances are not.
Not only do we need to tell our stories…we need to listen to the stories of others.
Dear God, give us words to tell the stories of the lives you have given us. Give us the words that speak of your goodness, faithfulness, nearness and holiness. Even in the dark nights give us the words. And give us ears to hear. To hear the stories of your children, whom you love. Amen.
Mandy
Sixty-six books in a year 