The 1st lesson in our new series “Life on Loan” needed a strong testimony to show how seemingly small events or acts of kindness can have a major affect on our lives in relation to what God is doing. Our Creative Team felt that it would be good for me to share MY testimony, even though I had already shared much of it in parts in other lessons over the past 3 years. I was amazed at how immediately powerful the memories of my childhood were as I looked at some of the pictures, and the strong emotional affect they had on me as I recounted my thoughts and feelings. In the 2nd service, I added some light-hearted comments so the story wouldn’t seem so “heavy”. Later, I realized that I had done this more for me than for the congregation. (You see, humor was one of the childhood defenses I often used to deal with pain or disappointments that were unavoidable).
After each lesson, I really didn’t feel like talking with anyone. I just wanted to return to the present day. However, I was so glad that I made myself available to others so that I could hear parts of THEIR stories. I was quickly reminded that EVERYONE has pain and disappointments in life. We all have been hurt and we all carry around some baggage from our past. I felt so validated and affirmed as a person. I felt honored as a person of faith as several people saw how God used events to shape my life and form sensitivity to others in my character. It was not a “contest” to see who had the better story, or who had the most pain, or whose life had been the hardest. No. The sharing of our stories is a powerful way to see the hand of God working in all of our lives. Although each of us is as unique as our DNA, our relationship with God brings us together. We all are parts of God’s big story! Listening to others stories reminded me of that truth, as I hope listening to mine did for them.
