LIVING A POWERFUL STORY telling a story!

If we would meet over a cup of coffee and start sharing our hearts, joys, hardships, dreams, miracles and even disappointments....our stories. I believe we would be deeply stirred and touched. We would be encouraged by God’s greatness and I believe filled with compassion for one another's stories.

You might think reading this: “Oh I have gone through such pain and sadness, nobody would want to hear my story!” or “Oh my life is so normal, just day to day and even boring at times.” Or even: “ My situation is hopeless, I’m a terrible person and mother, just hoping to get through every day.”Yes, maybe it is utterly sad or hyper exciting or just normal. But somebody can relate, God is always at work.

What is it that stirs our hearts with compassion for another? When does that moment of friendship happen? When we share our hearts as woman? Is it not that moment when we can relate? When it recalls emotions and situations, when we can say: “Yes I know how you feel.” Or is it when the person sharing is deeply emotional, hurt or struggling? Or is it just someone taking an ordinary story and sharing it with passion and victory? Or when we love somebody unconditional?

We all like a good story. When we can relate, feel and get carried away by someones bravery or faith against all odds. Understanding the heart of the character. When we see a good plot unfold to a positive ending. This is the ideal, sharing our hearts and lives and hoping someone would understand and relate. But life does not always work out the way we hope.

The times in my life when I have made a new friend has often come through spending time with someone. Talking, praying and sharing our stories of daily life. We could shy away from this being concerned for being rejected for being real and honest. Yes, it could be and I believe it has happened.

I have often asked myself: “How does my neighbors, friends etc. perceive or see me? Who has God made me to be?” I have never felt comfortable with just falling with the door into the house sharing the Gospel with someone. But through building a friendship drinking many cups of green tea and coffee together talking about life has been more the way I like to do it. Through this I have gotten to know many people and had opportunities to share my life, my joys and struggles. My love and heart for God and how He cares for me.

Through happy and sad stories my neighbors and friends have learned where my heart is. Yes, I do get angry with my children and frustrated with people, I cry when I’m hurt and sometimes struggle to forgive when an unrighteous act was done. I’m a normal mother and wife that struggles, but I can share that He is my answer and deliverer. For two hearts to meet in friendship I believe it takes a story where someone can relate, opening the door for the Gospel message to enter in.

Yes, it is tempting to let it look like all is fine and perfect. A Christian should have it all together and sorted out. But life in reality does not work like this. I look at Jesus as an example in this. He never sinned, was never desperate or hopeless. He was fully human, he loved, became angry, was tiered and even cried. All of this He shared with his friends. They were drawn to Him and deeply stirred by his story and life.

Through the Holy Spirit working in our lives we can share who we are and touch hearts. Through our stories lives can be touched and changed. Being myself is the strongest testimony of a human being living a life devoted to God. In faith and weakness I can share my story and see God touching and changing lives.