History or...His Story

It's been occurring to me lately how much our stories impact not only our lives but the lives of others when we share them. When we tell our stories we're not only released from the prison they've held us in but we are also set free to love. At least that's been my experience.

I love a good story more than anyone. I have always loved to read. I love to enter into a story. I'm one of those people who actually thinks the bigger the book the better. If I'm going to invest time into a story I want it to be one that envelops me for longer than a few hours. I definitely used to use books as an escape. I would read two or three a week on average - more if possible. Then I had this, for lack of a better term, "spiritual awakening" about six years ago. Since that time I haven't read much in the way of fiction. God just wouldn't let me escape anymore. I guess He decided it was time for me to face reality and get down to business, His business. Really, it's amazing the journey I've been on. He's given me an insatiable desire for His story. These days I prefer real stories. I love to hear people tell about themselves and their lives. I love to enter into and try to see God at work in your life. Maybe that's why I love blogs so much. It seems we're so much more "real" and transparent here. We may write in lyric or even in pictures, but they tell so much about us and our story.

I believe we have been given these stories for the purpose of sharing them. Why else did God create memories. I feel sure it's not so we'd be tormented by them, after all they're all really His stories. My story is all about how God has been at work in my life from day one. This has been a revelation to me. For much of my life I thought I was alone. But as I worked through a lot of stuff I realized I wouldn't be here today without His protection over me. He was always there.

So, I think maybe I'll start telling some stories here. It will probably be pretty random. I'm not going to start at the beginning or anything. I'm just going to start talking (or writing as the case may be). No agenda. Just storytelling. I'm anxious to see where this takes me - on another leg of the journey, no doubt.

My hope is that in sharing my stories you will be comforted in knowing you're not alone or that you will be encouraged in knowing it could be worse :0) or that God will simply shine through and you will know Him and His love for you more than you did before you stopped by.