I bought this ring on a clearance rack at an accessories store. You know, the kind my friend’s daughter calls “the color store”. It caught my attention because of my passionate desire to tell stories. I get a huge kick out of telling stories that make people laugh and it warms my heart when something I have said or written encourages someone else, but I get the biggest charge when I tell people stories about Jesus.
As a teen and young adult, I believed my story was as dull as the knives my husband makes me use in the kitchen so I won’t injure myself (true story). I grew up in a lower middle class Christian family. Both my parents taught school, volunteered or actually drew a paycheck from our local church, and they remain married today. They rarely fought, raised us to love Jesus, and took us to God’s house every time the door cracked open. I asked Jesus to save me at 12 years of age on my bunk at church camp and – with the exception of a rebellious season in college – have never looked back. I’ve never been to prison, lived on the streets, been in an abusive relationship or harbored an addiction to drugs. Thanks to my idealic childhood, my testimony didn’t feel compelling. No dramatic rescue story for me.
Except it’s still an amazing story. Jesus rescued me from the punishment for my sins, and He’s still rescuing me from sins I struggle with. And now, as time is marching quickly toward by 45th birthday, I’ve been through some stuff. I’ve coped with a medically fragile and intellectually disabled child and endured bouts of my husband’s unemployment. I’ve been diagnosed with cancer and operated on more times than I care to remember. And God has seen fit to leave me here with my family for another minute. Rescue stories all over the place.
And yet, now that I have what my finite mind considers “interesting” stories to tell, I find myself connecting on a greater level with others over life’s more commonplace moments. We all want to know we aren’t alone. Universally, we want to relate. At times I’m filled with doubts and insecurities about this writing life. I’m not making any money at it. In fact, I’m in the hole as I pay for page layouts, web hosting, workshops and books to hone the craft. So even as I feel this calling to put stories to paper – so strong at times that I can do nothing else until I get one out – I wonder if it’s a waste of what precious time I have. Am I making a difference? If I shut my website down today, would it matter to anyone but me?
And then I publish an article about something as trivial as swim suit shopping with my teen or being the worst sports mom ever, and I hear from you. Our shared experiences and feelings strike a cord that ties us together. And I feel community with you. I experience the ministry happening between us. THAT is why I keep typing away. THAT is why I answer the call when God puts a word (or many) on my heart. THAT is why I keep doing what I do through the times it seems fruitless. I can’t thank you enough for reading when you do and commenting when you can. I know your time is valuable and I don’t take that lightly. The fact that we are bloggy friends is more encouragement to me than you will ever know. So I will keep wearing my ring. Even though the words are so small that no one else will probably ever notice them. I have fancier, prettier rings, but this one reminds me to keep telling my story. The one He gave me and allows me to share. Because all of our stories are important. They are how we share the love of Jesus with others.
I would love to hear your story. If it is too long to mention in a comment, use the CONTACT tab on my website to send me a personal e-mail. Or if you live in the greater DFW area, I would love to set a time to have coffee or lunch and hear it. Who else in your life needs to hear your story? If you’ve never asked yourself that question, pray about it. And then be bold enough to tell. “But encourage each other daily, as long as it is called “Today”…” Hebrews 3:13
Thank you for writing this! I think it’s an important concept that we release our stories and our words to the world never really knowing if it makes a difference. I think every writer feels this. I love how you pointed out that this releasing is really an invitation to community, of coming along our brothers and sisters and seeing what we have in common. Keep on writing! Our world so desperately needs this!
Thank you so much for the encouragement Tatyana! And for stopping by!
Oh yes… I love this (and that ring! How fun!) I didn’t come to know Jesus until I was 21 but we raised our only girlie in similar fashion and I can remember her and her church friends complaining that they didn’t have a testimony! I think we really need to find a way to celebrate THOSE kinds of testimonies more (or at least as much!) as the dramatic ones filled with night to day difference! As a parent, of course, we want our kids to have those ‘boring’ testimonies… but as teens, they are all too often drawn to the stories of rebellion and sin – and THEN redemption!
Thank you so much for your thoughts Karrilee! I appreciate you stopping by.
I love hearing stories of what God has done in people’s lives and I think the “ordinary” stories are just as important as the more dramatic ones. Different stories connect with different people. And I agree with you, I love the community that is created as we share our stories with others.
Thank you for being in community with me today, Lesley!
Our stories are very similar! I too grew up in a lower-middle-class Christian home. And yet we were always in church as soon as the doors opened (if not before). I asked God to be my Lord and Saviour when I was twelve. I actually never really went through a rebellion period.
For years I struggle with not having a ‘dramatic’ testimony. I have come to realize that I have the testimony that God wants me to have. I am thankful for what He has shown me and for what I am able to teach my children about His amazing love!
God has given you the testimony He wants you to have. I LOVE that Danielle. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
I wonder the same about my writing, Lauren. Maybe we all do! Your post reminds me of the importance of the blogging community!
Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone, Amy.
Story. We all have one or two! 2 Corinthians 1.3-4 encourages us to tell our story and share the hope we have in Christ.
Yes! Thank you for reading and commenting Susan.
Dear Lauren,
I like your ring, your writing voice, and what you’ve shared of your story, and I love this post because I can relate to it (As you know from my blog.). The uncertainty of the writing journey is a gift since it causes us to cling to the One who gave us the gift to us in the first place. That’s the best bonus anyone could ask for in a job.
Blessings as you continue to write for Him ~ Wendy Mac
Thank you for the encouragement, Wendy. This quote: The uncertainty of the writing journey is a gift since it causes us to cling to the One who gave us the gift to us in the first place. – I will save to reference. Such wisdom. Thanks again.
My daughter has the same issue. She used to say ‘i don’t have a testimony’ b/c she was saved at 5 and has never really been rebellious. She loves Jesus, likes her family, never went wild or had a desire to do crazy things. I told her that rebellion and destruction doesn’t make a testimony great. Her story (and yours and those like it) is one that millions of people wish they had… a testimony of the ‘keeping grace of God.’ That since she said YES early and turned her heart to Him that God kept her from the pain and heartache of sin. We ought to point out those stories in the church just as often as the other kind of testimony. thanks for sharing.
The keeping grace of God. Karen, I love this. Thank you for encouraging my heart today.
Awe, Lauren, I love this. ♥ (And, I love being called a “bloggy friend.” My new favorite phrase, haha.) It’s been sweet to connect with you. Let me know if you ever go to She Speaks. That conference is in my state, so it’s pretty much the only one I ever get to. Would love to connect with you if we’re ever there at the same time. 🙂 xoxo
That one is far away from my Texas home, but maybe some day!
Lauren, our stories are what connects us, and I remember when I thought I didn’t have a story. Your story is beautiful and so full of God’s rich grace. I’m so glad you shared on Fresh Market Friday!
Thank you for the encouragement Crystal!
“Because all of our stories are important. They are how we share the love of Jesus with others.” Amen! Visiting back from Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart linkup!
Thank you for reading, Rebekah! I am enjoying reading your blog.