Each and every one of our lives tells a story. As long as we are living, that story continues to be written. In some cases the story of our lives will live beyond our time on earth through our children, loved ones and the legacy we leave. Our stories are as unique as we are. My story is different from yours, my husbands and even my kids. While they intersect and affect each other, God uses the same experiences to grow us in different ways and at different times. 

The Bible is full of stories! Many of them are amazing, full of twists, turns and surprises. We read about miracles, betrayal, restoration, forgiveness but also about idol worship, grief and those who chose their own way over God’s. Growing up in church, we are taught from a young age to share our story. The story of what Jesus did in our lives and how we came to know Him. The problem is, for people like me who lived a pretty boring life, there isn’t a whole lot to my story. Sure I’ve wandered away from the straight and narrow from time to time choosing my way over God’s. But honestly and thankfully my story is not one filled with anything too crazy – no abuse, drug or alcohol addiction, crime, serious health scares, etc.. The thing is while my story of salvation is “boring” that doesn’t mean I don’t have a story to tell! God has grown me, challenged and saved me from myself more times than I can count. Choosing not to share or believing I have nothing worth sharing is nothing more than me walking in disobedience and choosing to listen to the lies over truth. 

It occurred to me recently that God is not only writing our story, but also the stories of our children. While that may seem obvious, sometimes I feel like it’s easy to forget, at least for me. If I’m being honest, I also have to admit, as hard as it is, sometimes I need to back off and let God work. We need to  trust Him with their lives just like we have with our own. After all, as a Christian mom, isn’t that what I want most for my daughters – young ladies who are seeking hard after God?! It’s so hard because we love our kids so much! We desire for them to be happy, healthy and safe. And there is nothing wrong with those desires. However, at some point our “helping or fixing” gets in the way of God growing them, while He is writing their story.

You know those families, those stories where everything seems to work out all the time? You know what I mean; you get the promotion, the perfect job, the raise, the boy/girl, the miracle cure, you make the team, win the race or whatever “it” is. Yeah- that is so NOT us! I’m not saying we haven’t seen our fair share of miracles, but more often than not we are the other family. The one struggling to get by, passed over, kicked out or left out, alone, battling injuries, depression and anxiety with disappointment after disappointment stacking up. So much so that over time, we become disappointed with God. Why? Because we forget! 

We forget not only who God is, but also that He is still writing our story! If you’ve read any of my writing you know I try to be blatantly honest. Today is no exception. I’ve been stuck- for lack of a better word, in a long season of disappointment with God. I’m not even sure I realize even now, how deep and long it’s been. It hit home last week when I was talking with one of my daughters about yet another disappointment when she said something that started to crack the wall of disappointment I’d been living behind. We were talking about her life and she said “I’m trying really hard to follow God. I read my Bible almost everyday and pray. I even started writing my prayers out, because that’s what you do.”. That’s when it hit me, she’s been watching me and learning from me. Even when I didn’t realize, even when I was irritated by interruptions, on the good days and the bad ones. She was watching and learning. And if my kids, even though they are now both adults, living on their own are watching me – what are they seeing? What is my life teaching them? Is it a life of faith and trust or one where I’ve allowed the disappointments to stack up and question God? 

I doubt she even knows how those few words broke me, but they were enough to start the process of me once again earnestly seeking God and His direction. What He reminded me was that He has always been faithful!  Using every single one of those disappointments was for His good and glory! To grow me and deepen my faith, to give me so many stories to tell. He has been walking right beside us, even picking us up and carrying us when we could no longer take a step. Through every single hurt, every single tear, every single job loss, injury, etc – not once has God left us alone. 

The scripture He has used and is using is wide and deep. He’s had me in Isaiah, Esther, Ruth, Matthew and most recently 1 Peter. Each and everyone reminding me that:

• Isaiah 43 – I am/You are a CHOSEN child of God and He is ALWAYS with me. Always has been, always will be. EVEN when life isn’t easy breezy. 
• Esther – God works in crazy and amazing ways. Just when you think He’s not working, buckle up because He is getting ready to move. He places us EXACTLY where we need to be at EXACTLY the right time. 
• Ruth– God PROVIDES and often uses the least of these and their disappointments for HUGE kingdom purposes. (Just in case you don’t know- Jesus comes from this bloodline!)
• Matthew 5 – we are called to be salt & light! Our stories are very much WORTH telling and sharing. We BELONG and our stories are just a tiny part of HIS MUCH BIGGER STORY!
• 1 Peter 1 – our trials REFINE us. What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good! And GOD’S GOT US – through it all! 

You’ve got to love God’s timing because ALL of this came to culmination yesterday sitting in church where song after song and the message drove each and every one of these points home! There is so much more I could share and if you know me or not please feel free to ask! But I think what would be even better than me sharing the details of my story is for you to spend some time reflecting on the story God GAVE you to share, because it is 100% worth sharing! And I’d love to hear it someday! 

Let me leave you with the chorus from a song that was popular not that long ago. I’ve Witnessed It. by Passion –

“I’ve witnessed Your faithfulness. I’ve seen You breathe life within. 

So I’ll pour out my praise again. You’re worthy, God you’re worthy of all of it

Your promises never fail. I’ve got storiеs I’ll live to tell. 

So I’ll pour out my praise again. You’rе worthy, God you’re worthy of all of it.”