Scars and Stories

"Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25 I sat at the island in my kitchen listening to Grandma Fish share stores of her adventures with Grandpa Fish. What a cool experience! She had quite the life with him and while her stories made me miss him, I relished in her listening to her talk. We all have stories to tell, life lived, scars to explain. Many times we are too hurried or rushed to hear the fullness of someone's life. We think we know someone's story because we read about it on Facebook or Twitter or heard about it from a friend. We know in our hearts, however, that the stories portrayed on the internet aren't our full life or even our real life. God, the author and perfector, creates beautiful, magical, crazy stories in our lives. He does this for us to live a fully abundant life but also that we may share with one another how we are journeying through it all bringing Him glory. The Bible is chalked full of stories; wonderful stories. We learn and grow in our lives as we read about these incredible people who, like us, journeyed through their faith stumbling and questioning. Even if you are not a believer or regular church goer, you have heard many of the stories of the Bible. I think our stories get lost in translation today. We take what the media says as truth. We hear a story about someone from a friend and it defines that person even though it may not be true. We read a status and think we know the person. We have lost the long conversations over a meal or coffee where we lose track of time. We take what others say about someone as truth instead of taking the time to listen to their story in person. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 I wear my heart on my sleeve. I do not hide what I am feeling or experiencing and probably share more than I should. However, those who truly know me, my life's journey, and my heart are in my inner circle. They are the people that have sat down with me and listened to my story; not judged but listened with two ears and a closed mouth. They know how much and how hard I love. How I long for justice and truth and everything right in a world that is so wrong in so many ways. They know that my three precious boys did not come easy. Rather, they are a perfect blessing from God alone after many struggles, miscarriages, and surprises. The people who listen to my story know that my marriage is not perfect and takes beautiful messy work. They know my family and my friends are my everything and I would do anything for them. These listeners know that my faith is at the very core of my being penetrating my soul so deeply that it's who I am. Those who really want to know me know that I am an absolute clutz, obsessive neat freak, I too often take myself too seriously, and can really be a dumb blond at times. They know my scars. They know my story. "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 I guess my challenge is that we take the time to listen and learn from one another again. God did not write our stories just for us to live and keep to ourselves. He designed us to fellowship with one another and I don't think He meant in our Sunday best at church once a week. I think He desires us to get dirty and roll-up our sleeves learning from each other's stories. Think what we can gain if we listen to the story of people's lives...truth, encouragement, and being challenged just to name a few. There wouldn't be rumors or judgment about something we overheard or only heard one side because we listened to the source or both sides of the story. We could be encouraged through a trial because we listened to someone's story of survival of the exact thing we are experiencing. We could be challenged by the story of someone's life prompting us to give or serve a place of need. We all have scars. We all have stories. Don't be afraid to share. Someone needs to hear. Don't be afraid to ask to hear someone's side or story. That person has a need to share. And finally, don't be afraid to listen. That time spent listening will not be wasted. God gave us two ears and only one mouth for a reason;) Blessings, Megan "That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3