Stories.
Everyone has one. Not everyone can or would even want to tell theirs, but everyone has one.
Some stories are so easy to hear, easy to believe, easy to relate to, easy to tell. Others are the complete opposite.
No one’s story should be left untold. No one’s. There is something to be learned from each. Something to help lift someone else out of despair and hopelessness. Something to bring understanding to a life of confusion. Something to identify with; to help someone else realize they are not alone. Even a story of “total failure” can be used to help someone else.
For A Story to be told, there must be three things.
First, the story. Truth. What really happened? Why did it happen? When it happened isn’t so important, because people really haven’t changed much down through the ages. The story’s main participant would be the “who”. How did it happen? The story will detail what’s really important.
Secondly, the storyteller. Possibly the subject of the story, but not necessarily. The storyteller must adhere to the story. Truth. For a story to connect with others, truth is paramount. Hope will not grasp fantasy for long. Fantasy will never bring about lasting change. Truth will. So the storyteller must stay with truth, which is the story.
Finally, the reader. Each reader is in the process of living their own story. One reader’s story may be full of darkness, hopelessness, confusion, perversion. Someone else may have a story of riches and beauty, a wonderful childhood, direction in life, faith in God. There may be any number of life situations in one story. But one thing is certain with every reader. Their final chapter hasn’t yet been written.
As I said, everyone has a story and everyone’s story should be told. This is my story; not my whole story but a segment of it that others, I believe, need to know. A Story others may relate to, draw hope from. A Story that may help others rewrite their own.
I chose to use this medium, my blog, to tell the story. I’ll write a number of chapters over the next several weeks. I pray each reader that is not satified with their story, may find the necessary courage to begin the rewrite process.
Look for truth. Truth makes the story. Truth connects the story with each reader. Truth helps the reader rewrite their own story. Truth is what changed mine.
Stories.
As I said, this one is mine, though it’s not just about me. It’s also A Story about a King named Manasseh, a Father with two prodigal sons, a few of God’s favorite people, and what He does with people gone bad. A Story about failure, family and friends. It’s about Encouragement, Hope and Restoration. It’s about Truth. It’s A Story about Jesus.
And, it’s about you.
Jan Grace 