Our Stories

We all have stories to tell, the events and happenings of our lives that over the years bind us up like a book and create our storyline. These stories are written from the the time we are born until we take our last breath. Sometimes the stories are exciting ones, full of adventure, success, love and fun. These are the ones we love to re-read over and over and share. Others were so challenging and painful that we wish they had been edited out of the very first draft. Those are the stories we don’t want read. The ones that show our weaknesses, failures, shortcomings, poor choices and decisions. Yes, those chapters are the ones that most of us would like skimmed over if not completely left out.

Recently, I had someone dear to me reminded of a painful chapter in his life. He was angry that it was re-read. He was uncomfortable that is would not go away. It stirred up emotions that had not been dealt with but had been there all along. It still hurt and caused pain. I reminded him that his past was his past and that all that mattered was who he was today, his story was still being written. We need to remember that it is these chapters that the most powerful lessons are taught if we are open to being the student and learn the wisdom within it. These are the toughest stories to live through and be reminded of, nevertheless need to be woven into our lives so that we can become the person we are today.

These story lines end up molding us into the characters we become. Life isn’t always light, easy and good, but God is. And it is what we do with these events that matter and make us who we are today. How we allowed God’s goodness to teach us, guide us, heal us and restore us back to who he created us to be. Since today Good Friday may we acknowledge that we all must let go, die to the events that hold us back and keep us from being all we can be. May we ponder the lessons we have learned, shake off the shame and guilt that torture us and offer grace to ourselves and rise up.

On this Good Friday, I feel humble. Humble that God is the leading man in my life, the main character, not a supporting role in my script. Humble that He loves me, stays with me, picks me up when I fall, offers His hand, love and grace to guide me into the next chapter. He will always be the creative force that holds the pen that writes the script to my life when I let him. He’s the best author I know!

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!