But then, while spending a rainy morning surfing the net and gathering information for a magazine article I am working on, I decided that perhaps, in a way, I do. It may be a bit of a stretch, but I am thinking that maybe I make a wee difference by telling stories.
One of my sisters-in-law once asked, "Why do you have a story for everything?" I don't know. I just do. I never really thought about it until today, but ask me about the recipe for something I just cooked for you and more often than not I'll say, "Oh! There is a story about that. I got that recipe from a guy who used to cut my hair and...." If I am to show you some treasure I just found at an antique store, I am apt to tell you a tale about how I happened to find that thing and why it is just perfect for some need I wanted to fill. And usually the stories are happy things, or sort-of-funny things, the kind of spiel that (hopefully) has a smile gently tucked in.
A few years back I had a chicken coop built to house my beloved hens. The man who built it brought his wife and some other family members along to assemble the coop on our property. The wife and I chatted, and I remember I told her a few stories. We are still in touch occasionally, and she has told me several times, "I still remember the stories you told me." I think she means that in a very nice way.
I write articles for several magazines. Some of the editors give me assignments, but my favorite articles are when I get to tell a story about someone that I admire. Someone who does good things that make their corner of the world a better place. Much like the colors and patterns carefully stitched by a quilt artist, I like to think that my stories are woven words that impart my upbeat,rose colored, glass-half-full, "aren't the "little things" just so great?" world view with those I share them with.
Taking the wide-angle view I see that everyone has spiritual gifts to share, and everyone does, in their own unique way.
Because everyone has a story.
4 comments:
Not a stretch at all. I love your stories.
Story-telling is very much your gift. I'm not sure it's a spiritual gift (I would hesitate to define anyone's spiritual gifts, and certainly couldn't identify my own) but it can certainly be used for good.
Mary Anne in Kentucky
I love this post! What a great take on spiritual gifts. I think stories are a fabulous way of getting your point across, and as you say, everyone has a story. Really enjoyed this post, thank you.
Storytellers are such an important part of a community :)
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