Stories

It was one of those mornings where you felt the undeniable nudge of God. He was asking for this day, for the thoughts and the intentions; not even to begin to plan it out for myself, but instead to simply lean into the Spirit and let Him lead. It didn’t take much to convince me, I had been longing for such a day only a few breathes before...So I got into my car conversing with Him about all that had been on my mind and all that had been troubling my spirit. I plainly remember a dull ache rising from my heart as I stumbled upon a rather odd query. I was discussing with Him, people and how we all connect and I was revealing how lovely it is to just sit and listen as others tell their stories. Those moments captivate my mind and heart as I take in this person and their story. As I watch their mannerisms and quirks and hear their voice fluctuate with emotion behind each word and each remembrance of their account. Seeing their uniqueness, beauty, strengths, and gifts, buried below the wounds, the fears, the makeup, the clothes, the job….all the social baggage. Finding resounding joy in the effortless miracle that they are. Enjoying navigating with them through the arrival into this instant we find ourselves in, as we freely exchange our stories. It is beautiful and I thank God for it. Before I could even accept what was happening, I felt my stomach drop and my breath shallow. The dull ache full force now, I realized I wanted to cry….

“God you and I never exchange these stories. I speak of mine to You, but know You are not like me in this, that You need my ear in order to process this world You have created. For Lord, You do not sit me down and tell me of Your day; of Your struggles, Your disappointments, and Your journey. I cannot watch as Your eyes light up with enthusiasm as You tell of Your loves. I cannot listen as You describe the pain You feel when You lose a love.”


I cannot explain precisely why this hurt my heart so much as it did. But it could be that Him who I love most does not speak to me like this. Perhaps it was just the wakefulness that friendship is about these conversations and begged the question ‘did this imply that we are not friends at all?’ My mind wrestled with it all and I was left stripped and searching for His whisper to capture me back from this place my thoughts had briefly whisked me to…ah…and there it was. It came rushing into my soul with a single hot tear that streaked down my cheek. “Sarah, you are My story. Every persons story you listen to, this is Me. This is My story. Every man’s hurt, joy, trial, celebration, fall, rise, tragedy, escape, miracle, loss, fear and feat….this is My story.” Light flooded me and I could breathe deeply once more…and what a beautiful message it was! What a gift to befall me this day! This is such a hopeful and precious idea; That I can find the Story I long for; God’s very story, with each detail and fingerprint, in mans story. I can know Him more because I know His story; all its parts! I may listen with an ear like a child, seeking to see the depths of God in man. Seeing His heart and soul in every single story my ears are granted the opportunity to delight in. Doesn’t it bring perspective…


“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’


“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40)


His story is being played out in every direction you can look; May each of you simply look and see…..and find Him there! I love you all so much; thank you for making my life rich with stories…


Rest In Him! Sarah G



His Story is still being written...