Story

My self, my ideas, my emotions, my will ... everything is being stretched this summer.

But this past Sunday I was blessed amidst the stretching. To have people who know you well bless you aloud is an incredible gift. To have people who don't know you affirm God's hand in your life is amazing. And then to be overwhelmed with encouragement, support, strength, and love from His body is almost too much for one Sunday.

Two churches and two talks in one day pushed me hard yesterday. I didn't realize how tense and exhausted I was until I was finished and heading back home.

But God was in it. I was able to share from my heart -- that has been my prayer. So often, in anxiety (some reasonable and some not) my mind starts imagining all of the bad things that could happen and then it is all I can do to keep calm.

Psalm 16:8 stuck out to me this week, so instead of going up to the platform alone and scared to death, I grabbed ahold of Truth and went with Him. "I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me."

Something that I keep noticing is how God uses my story. It hasn't been any life-changing response but just leaves people thinking. Even today a friend messaged me and told me that he was reminded and encouraged in his own life. In his own journey alongside God. And "Wow, that's encouraging" has been the response I keep hearing. (Yes, God, point us back to You!)

Interestingly enough, I read this last week in my devos and was really struck by what Henri Nouwen said about story:

"One of the remarkable qualities of the story is that it creates space. We can dwell in a story, walk around, find our own place. The story confronts but does not oppress; the story inspires but does not manipulate. The story invites us to an encounter, a dialog, a mutual sharing. A story that guides is a story that opens a door and offers us space in which to search and boundaries to help us find what we seek, but it does not tell us what to do or how to do it. The story brings us into touch with the vision and so guides us. Wiesel writes, 'God made man because he loves stories.' As long as we have stories to tell to each other there is hope. As long as we can remind each other of the lives of men and women in whom the love of God becomes manifest, there is a reason to move forward to new land in which new stories are hidden."

Hm.