The Gift of a Story

For the last week or so, I have been trying to think of a good blog post. I didn't want something too generic, but rather I wanted something heartfelt and sincere. Now, with it being Friday and looking back at this past week, which has been a rather crazy one, I think I know what I need to write about. Just to give you a fair warning, my writing may seem a bit vague in this post, but I have done that intentionally to respect those who inadvertently play a part in this story.

This has been a long week. Did I say that already? For those of you that do not already know, I am looking for a job again, but thankfully I am starting a part time job next week and I have a bunch of applications out for a full time job.  So that has been draining. But the hardest part of this week has been that people in my life are hurting. I have gotten way too much tragic news about young deaths lately, particularly from my dear alma mater, Appalachian State University. They have had 8 student deaths this school year. EIGHT. And I knew one of them.
Y'all, this breaks my heart. We are TOO YOUNG for this to happen. I have been praying unceasingly for the students up in Boone and those who were personally affected by these deaths.  It's almost too much to bear. What a hard year it has been for my Mountaineers. And on top of that, I have talked to several close friends this week that are hurting. These friends are having relational difficulties and just general life struggles. Many of these are things that I have never dealt with personally, so it tends to leave me at a loss for words. In those moments, I quietly ask the Lord to give me the words to say. I was on the phone with a friend earlier this week during one of these situations. I was listening to this friend talk and I was praying over and over, "Lord, what do I tell this friend? Please tell me what to say because I have no words." Then, out of nowhere, the Lord spoke. Now, if you're not religious, this may seem like crazy talk to you, but stay with me. When the Lord speaks to me, and it does not happen often, it comes as an overwhelming thought that I cannot give myself the credit for. The thought comes out of nowhere and seems to make no sense, but it is impossible to ignore. So at that moment, this overwhelming thought came to the forefront of my mind. It was simply four words:

Tell her your story.

Ummm, what? My story? I knew exactly what story God was referring to, but it seemed a bit far-fetched. My story was way different than what she was experiencing, but nevertheless, I began telling her my story. This story, in vague detail of course, involves me at a younger age, thinking I knew exactly what God's plan was for my life, until He came in and abruptly stopped me in my tracks, challenged everything I thought I knew, and turned me around in a 180, shoving me in the opposite direction. My major, career goals, and my dating relationship at the time all completely changed. As I shared the details with my friend, everything I was saying started to connect with what she was experiencing. As the words left my lips, chills went up and down my spine. I realized that though the stories were vastly different, everything coming out of my mouth was relevant to her situation. When I finished, BOTH of us were in shock. I am telling you, there is NO way I came up with all that on my own. Then I heard one more gentle whisper that about knocked me over.

CarrieAnn, when this happened to you all those years ago, you asked me over and over why I let you go through it. Why you had to hurt, why you had to learn these lessons the hard way. Here is the answer to your unceasing questions of "why." When you went through that challenging season of life, I gave you a gift. I gave you the gift of a story. You received that gift in order that you might share it with others. Now remember to use this gift. 

Hearing those words stunned me then, and they still do now. My story of suffering and hurt was a gift? This concept has totally changed my perspective on how I view past trials. From the time I was young, I have been taught to view every hardship as a learning experience and as an opportunity to share wisdom with someone else. However, I did this with a disgruntled heart and an attitude of bitterness. Oh how I hope that has changed now.

So I pose the question: What would happen if we started to view the hurt of our past as a gift that we used to help others? Now, I understand that some people have been hurt very deeply and even recalling slivers of memories is too painful to bear. It took me a while to be comfortable with sharing my story. But once I did, it was amazing to see how my simple story of shortcomings and young foolishness could speak so strongly to someone else. Or maybe the hurt is too recent. Please, by all means, take the time to process and to heal. But once you are ready, I encourage you to speak. Tell your friends that need to hear that you are not perfect. Tell that person that is struggling with a similar issue. And if you can, try to view your own story with optimism and gratefulness. I was very frustrated with my story for a while, but now looking back, it has brought me to where I am today. It is the reason I married the man I did, and that alone, I would not change for ANYTHING. That challenging season has brought more goodness into my life than I ever thought possible.

Who knows the kind of good we could bring into the world simply by sharing our story? It could prevent suicides at colleges. It could help save a friend from making the same mistake you did. It could prove to someone that they are not alone. It could give a needed shoulder for a neighbor to cry on. Go figure, this frustrating season of unemployment that I am in will probably be a story that I eventually share as a word of encouragement. Not for a while, but eventually!

To end with a word of encouragement that is not my own, below is a link to a Josh Groban song that was just released this week. Its title is "The Mystery of Your Gift." Coincidence? Nah, I don't believe in those. Give it a listen, and pay close attention to the words. You'll find they are quite fitting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZGjK2LtaIE


And so I have said it, if you know me and want to know my story, I am very willing to share it over a cup of coffee or tea (no Starbucks please). And if you have a story to share, I want to listen. I am excited to hear about what you have experienced that you can use to serve others.

Now go, and use your gift. :)

~CA