Magnetic frames cover my refrigerator, telling the story of our lives and of children growing up. From bride’s maid to bride, high school pictures with friends, to pictures in the hospital as our first grandchild is born – magnetic frames hold the pictures. Frames holding memories of beaches and swings, teddy bears and tender hugs – our life over, the years, is told on our refrigerator.
There are magnets holding reminders of food we should eat, grandparents in the huge family garden, and the compassion child we pray for each day.
Friends come by sitting in the kitchen and the refrigerator is our entertainment. With each picture there is a story to be told and a laugh to be shared.
As long as we tell our stories the memory is still alive.
I share a story and a photograph with a woman whose son out ran her to heaven. “Are you okay with us talking about this, and seeing his picture here?” I asked her.
“Yes! Yes!” she replies, “as long as we tell the stories he is still with us. I never want to stop telling the stories… I never want to forget.”
As long as we are telling stories and listening to them we are still learning something new about the person and sometimes, a life lesson is hidden within its images.
Listening to the stories can help us learn about life. We hear the experiences and emotions of others, and we grow vicariously through them.
I remember my dad telling me a story about his first overseas flight when he was in the Air Force. He joined when he was nineteen.
His captain told the troops that if anything happened he would go down with the plane. As the flight was drawing close to it’s end, something did happen to the plane. The pilot thought he would need to crash the plane into water to avoid killing an innocent village below.
Everyone scrambled for their parachutes. The captain yelled to my dad, “Help me with my parachute and then I’ll help you with yours.”
My dad tells me that fear had taken over and instead of helping the captain as ordered, he yells back, ”You don’t need it, you’re going down with the plane!” And my dad strapped himself to his chute.
The lesson I gleamed from dad’s story? Fear can make you say things you will regret later.
Your story needs to be told because God can speak to others through your story.
Jesus loved a good story as he walked sandal-footed, framing life and Kingdom principles in parables for all to hear.
God is speaking to the world everyday. He speaks through His Word, through nature, and He speaks through you.
You are not one of many. Your story, though it may be similar to others, has your unique spin, your unique emphasis. The time, place, and people who share your life are different than any other and needs to be shared to encourage another person walking down a similar path.
Each Friday, I am opening the doors and welcoming everyone in to linkup with their photographs and their story. There will be virtual hot coffee, cold tea and sweet cupcakes along with community of listeners to hear your story. Will you come and join us?
Linking today with Laura, Kelli, Emily and Jenn.
Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)
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Oh, friend…this was powerful for me. I linked to it on my blog today. Sometimes I feel like I don’t belong in the writing/blogging world. Maybe I should just throw in the towel. But today…today you gave me pause so I won’t quit just yet.
Love you friend! By the way, the link to Kelli doesn’t work.
Mary! Put. Down. That. Towel! I love your posts and would miss you terribly if you stopped! Hang in there, susta, your story counts!
I’m happy to hear about your link-up Diane, sounds like fun. I’m always amazed at how we need to hear and tell our own stories anew over time and how there’s always new learning, wisdom and healing to be gained. Thanks for linking with Unforced Rhythms 🙂
Thank you Kelly, for opening your blog to all of us. You are a gift!
Beautiful Diane, words I needed!! Thank you for sharing.
Jennifer! I’m so excited to see your name! Tell your story, susta!
Thanks, Diane, for the encouragement 🙂
HI Beautiful Dolly! Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for this post on a day I needed it! I just love your comment about how our story needs to be told because God wants to use it to help other people. Visiting from Considering Grace, through Chronicles of Grace! Blessings!
HI Michelle! It’s so nice to meet you. I”ll look for you when I’m over at Chronicles of Graces. Have a great week!
Oh, Diane. Your words are really speaking to me today, friend. I have missed your voice! I hope God gives us a chance to be together again soon 🙂 Love to you.
Hi Laura! I go through phases be being quiet trying to decide what God is saying. I miss being around you. Maybe God will change it for us to be together soon! Love you, friend!
Thank you so much for the encouraging post. I’ve been wondering lately if I have anything significant and worthy to give. I started a blog but it is easy to wonder if there’s any point to it, if I really have anything worth sharing. I’m just hoping God uses it for His glory.
Angela I go through the same questions! If only one person is ministered to by your blog then your have accomplished what God wants for this day. But just know, you might be in heaven before you really know everyone you reach. Let’s encourage each other to embrace small beginnings. <3
Thanks for the encouragement that our story matters!
Thank you for stopping by,Elizabeth!
For so long I believed my story should not be told, but you are so right that Jesus does use our story to speak to others and bring hope and healing. Thank you for this reminder! Dropping in from Coffee for Your Heart.
Yes! Crystal! God has a person or persons who need to hear your story. Who need to know they are not the only one! Your story is unique but it will reverberate with those on a similar wavelink. Hang in there Susta!