Both of our sweet peas enjoyed bedtime stories. Many evenings we’d read a stack of books together, sitting on the couch or bed. Other times, when bedtime got pushed later, I would limit it to one favorite, going through the motions and hoping they’d hit slumberland sooner than later.
Some of their favorites were “Butterfly Kisses,” any Hello Kitty book or “The Treasure Tree.” There always seemed to be a book they would like that I didn’t have the patience for... and most times, they’d want to include it in the pile.
One of those books was a peek-a-boo book with flaps that opened up called “Bug Mania.” It had all kinds of pictures of worms and spiders and other odd bugs of course. It showed the places where they lived like trash bins, garbage dumps, and picnic baskets. Thankfully, one of Lil Sweet Pea’s favorites was “Ferdinand.” How could anyone not enjoy the story of Ferdinand, the bull who preferred smelling the flowers over fighting in the ring?
Good books are treasures. Good books hold a wealth of knowledge. Good books are capsules of wisdom and experience. Books hold the stories of people’s lives; their encounters, their pain, their struggles, their victories, their sense and their reality.
Each of us has a story. Did you know that your story needs to be shared somehow, some way? I think we can tend to withdraw from sharing our experiences due to: the speed that life is going... the lack of respect we may encounter or think we may encounter when we start sharing... the fear of exposing ourselves... and maybe even the lack of an audience.
Can I encourage you that your voice and story may just be what the next person needs to hear? I have made it my aim to be as authentic as possible through my writing. Some of you can relate to my stories... because I’m sharing my real life struggles, joys, pain and reality. There is nothing more relatable than being authentic. Someone, somewhere is going through what you’ve gone through. Your story may be just what they need to hear to keep going, keep pressing, keep living.
There are many ways to write your story: blogging, journaling – whether typed or hand-written, social media, vlogging, singing or writing a book. It can be as little as keeping a gratitude notebook, a scrapbook with pictures or notes in the columns of your Bible or devotional book. It can also be recorded audibly. Just take a few minutes each day to pen/speak your thoughts; what you are learning, processing, dealing with and how you are taking steps forward.
Matthew 13:52 says, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew is showing us that we need to have insight from the past; important lessons and experiences that we can draw from as well as new treasures to be revealed by Holy Spirit that can be brought forth in a timely manner to bring new insight and revelation for the days ahead.
If you were to sum up your life’s story, what would you say? If your story isn’t going in the direction you had expected, maybe there’s a way you can redirect the path you’ve taken. Each of you has a story, a destiny to fulfill. You are unique. Your story matters. Your voice needs to be heard.
“(Your) tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45:1
