What I Learned Today: Everyone Has a Story To Tell

Yesterday I spent my day at the 4th Annual Hanover Book Festival. To say I was blessed by the experience is an understatement! God is so amazing, that I just have to share some of the incredible ways He worked in my life yesterday!

I met at least 20 other authors of all genres--every age and shape and life story different from another. To be in a room full of networking, laughing, socializing, passionate writers was so inspirational! I had trouble getting to sleep last night because of all the excitement and well . . . if you know me, you know I "process" everything until it's been broken down to the lowest common denominator!

My first inclination after I got home was to think, "I only sold 3 books today." Then, though, the full impact of the day began to wash over me!

Think about this: everyone has a story to tell--everyone! Everyone doesn't write a book, but their lives tell a story. Every person has a story to tell. I realized that part of what we are called to do as Christians--as human beings--is to invite those stories to be told. In other words, we are to be available to listen, we are to engage in relationships, we are to encourage sharing. Wow! That really puts "ministry" in a whole new light for me!

I'm going to post some networking stories and share how God was with me as I "worked the room" yesterday at Godly Graffiti. I felt I needed to share these thoughts outside the box of writing, though, because it applies to all of us.

As we go through life, we acquire our story. We are to share our stories with others so they can learn from us and so they can be ministered to. Then we are to draw out their stories. There is power in the telling and power in the hearing. It becomes testimony.

"If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can keep from speaking? Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands" (Job 4:2-3 NIV).

"One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent" (Acts 18:9 NIV).

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Saturday after Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Our Christmas Eve Open House was so enjoyable. We didn't have nearly the number of guests we have had in years past, but the advantage of this year - with almost exactly 3 "shifts" is that we had the opportunity to speak to each person--actually engage in conversation. So often we are busy moving from guest to guest, greeting others, saying goodbye to still others that we don't always feel we have been good hosts!

Our children were here with us and that was all we really cared about this year:-) We exchanged modest, but meaningful gifts and enjoyed each others' company immensely. My daughter and son-in-law headed home this afternoon and called a while ago to say they had made it safely.

My 20-year old has been on his phone all day, friends calling to see what he got, what he's doing, etc. He's off to the movies tonight so hubby and I will have a chance to just breathe for a couple of hours:-)Maybe we can even have an actual conversation!

Tomorrow I will be portraying the fictional "Rhoda", wife of Joseph's cousin (based on the innkeeper in the nativity story) in Bethlehem. My son will be the narrator and my husband has indicated he wants to come along just to see and hear us perform. I will be relating the story of Mary and Joseph from the time the angel visited Mary through the visit of the Wise Men as remembered/portrayed by this woman who heard it all "first hand."

I'm pretty excited to have my son doing this with me. He took drama classes in high school and participated in Center Stage through Henrico County in the summers. He loved it and he is very articulate and well-spoken.

I asked him tonight if he thought he would like to get involved in storytelling with the group I'm going to join here in Richmond. He seems enthused about it so I'm hoping it will work out.

Since he has Asperger's Syndrome, we are constantly searching for areas where he can do well and succeed to help keep him motivated and encouraged. He is a natural and I think this may be a great outlet for him--either separately or as part of a team with me.

Back to my babies on Monday - Wednesday, then off for Friday-Sunday next week. I'm planning on getting a lot of writing and planning done in the next week. I'm pretty psyched about what 2009 will hold for us -- and looking so forward to all that God has planned for our lives.


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
[Jeremiah 29:11 NIV]