You would hear Hope that wouldn't let go
And if I told you my story
You would hear Love that never gave up
We all have a story. It's multi layered and multi faceted. Turn the prism and discover something new you might never have known. You can't rely on a headline or a news bulletin or a quick snippet. I've said to my kids "There are 4 sides to every story...your side, the other person's side, the truth somewhere in the middle and the TRUTH aka God's version of our stories." God whose knowledge crosses all barriers and borders, who is our Creator, Redeemer and LifeGiver, who weaves in and throughout time.
When I was in formal discernment for my calling to ordination in the church I sat with a group of folks who sort of knew me. I definitely thought I knew me. As we continued to meet and let the Holy Spirit lead our conversation I realized how much of my own story I didn't know, didn't remember, had chosen to forget or didn't feel able to speak about. As we prayed and spoke I shared parts of my story I had never even told my husband. I had to go home and say "We need to talk, I need you to know what I remembered today that I have never shared before, even with myself."
This is my story, this is my song...
It opened up my heart and my mind. If I didn't know all of my story how could I ever know all the nuances of another's story? And, further more, I discovered my story only made sense when placed in scripture. I've never really fit in anywhere, with any group of folks, always sitting on the margins, until you open up the bible. I discovered my history is HIStory. I make sense when I read about Deborah, Hannah, Rachel and Leah, Ester and Jacob, Moses and Aaron, the woman at the well, Mary and Mary and Phoebe.
It is my prayer that we take the time to pray, to discern, to listen to the small quiet whisper of God revealing Truth into our stories. Taking time to share our stories, hear our stories, live into our stories; opening up our lives and shedding light on God's hope, love, mercy and justice weaving in and out of our stories.
If I should speak then let it be
Of the grace that is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served and where mercy wins
Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in
Oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him
