Pause

Hi Friends,

I wanted to pause here for a bit and talk about the power of a story.

As you know, I love to hear people’s stories. Stories are a way of looking back to see what was happening, how it impacted an individual, and those around them, and how it changed to the person.  In fact, my favorite genre of reading is biographies.  I’ve read lots of them.  Not because of who they are necessarily, but because I like to see how an individual’s story was shaped and how they became the person that they are.   Biographies have a way of documenting histories of not only a person, but sometimes families, businesses, cultures and nations.

However, not everyone wants to tell their story.  I have to admit, sometimes I ask too many questions and I don’t realize it.  It’s just my curiosity to know the person’s story and connect with them.   I’ve had many, many casual conversations with strangers and before they know it, they have told me their story.  I guess I’m just a safe person for them.  However, there are many instances that as I ask questions about the person, they clam up or ask me why I’m asking so many questions.  I have to laugh because it’s just me.

As I ponder the power of a story I also reflect on the work of psychologists, therapists, and counselors.  A lot of their work is based on a person’s story.  Hearing a story and it’s impact on an individual, can help change a negative thought pattern, celebrate a victory, or release pain that has been stewing for years.  Stories have an impact.

Stories can also help people identify with each other.  As I write and share this particular story of my life, my hope is that you will be able to see that no matter the story you have, you will be able to see the struggle.  It’s not about infertility, it’s more about God writing my story and what He was teaching me though the story.

Each chapter that He wrote, I wanted a different ending!  I didn’t want His story for my life — I wanted mine, or at least, someone else’s story that had the ending I envied.  I wanted this chapter over and done with.  I wanted to continue moving forward in my story at the same pace as everyone around me.  I didn’t want to wait.  I asked God the hard questions that I never heard asked.  But, that’s not how life works.  God has a purpose and plan for each word, sentence, chapter in the story of our lives.   I get it.  17 years later, I can still look back at it and see what God was doing.  Of course, I know the ending to this part of my story.  I also know that God took everything that I knew about prayer, promises and Him up to this point and changed it.  God created this storyline and gave me a deeper understanding of who He is and a deeper connection with Him.

As God writes the current chapters of my story, I’m at a much better place.  I can look back at His faithfulness during this story and know with confidence that the Author does indeed know what He is doing.  It’s not a ‘fictional’ story where I or someone else can write my preferred ending, it’s a real life story that’s being played out in my everyday life.

And just like a great author, He always keeps me guessing about the ending!

 

Blessing to you my friends!

 

p.s.  The next chapter is coming…are your ready?