So... what is YOUR story?

When Clay was a little boy, we spent a significant amount of time in the car.  One sister in high school, one in middle school, and one in elementary school offered numerous activities and events for our attendance.  Our car time became our story time.  Barely buckled into his car seat, the words came with gusto, "Mommy, tell me a story!"  He loved fairy tales, tall tales, fables, but his favorites were family stories and Old Testament stories.  When you think about it, the Old Testament is filled with intrigue, blood and guts, battlegrounds, nasty plagues, brothers killing brothers, sacrifice... what more entertainment could a little boy ask for!

So I told stories over and over again.... Creation, Cain and Abel, Noah and the flood, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his coat of many colors, Moses and  the Exodus, Queen Esther, King Saul, King David, the judges, the battles... and on and on.  Honestly, I had to brush up on my Old Testament to stay ahead of him.  As you might imagine, David and Goliath's story of battle was one of his all time favorites.  The little guy with the sling who chose not to wear the heavy "safe" armor of King Saul.  It truly is a "God-sized story".  At one point in his soliloquy  to Goliath, David shouts, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel... the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord's".
Quite a story David was able to share of God's triumph over the Philistine giant.  Knowing more of David's life story, we know this is only the beginning of a life filled with mountains and valleys, some of his own doing and some that totally blindsided him.

Whether Clay remembers it or not, I often reminded him that he, too, would have a story to tell.  His question often centered around whether his might include a sling and a giant... I remember one particular day, as I must have been feeling particularly contemplative, I responded, "Oh, son, I feel sure you will have your share of giants to battle."  He giggled with glee at the thought.
We all do, don't we... have battles, have giants that challenge us, have fears, have questions.  I have found that as I listen to the stories of others, I am encouraged.  Realizing that the "armor" others wear doesn't fit me so well, I have discovered, that as I listen, I am reminded to take up my own armor.  Sometime a piece of a friend's is just what I need to get started with mine.  Does that make sense?  You have a story... how the Lord has strengthened you, has encouraged you, has comforted and guided you.  Yours doesn't look or sound just like anyone else's.  If God chooses to keep count of every hair on each of our heads, how can we not acknowledge HIS activity in our lives as we seek Him.

So who can you tell... who knows your "faith story" better than you.  Someone might just be waiting to hear the exact words you will say.  None of us has all the flowery words, the perfect scripture verse to fit every situation, but we all have our own personal experience with the Living God who promises, in Isaiah 43,

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.

The Kentucky Baptist Convention is offering unique way to share your story - Click on the link below to hear mine and find out how easy it is to share yours through any social media, as a text from your phone... and anyone who chooses can listen to your story at their convenience.... check it out, and let's get the word out.... our story points to HIS story - Praise the Lord!!

My story 

or go to http://www.tellyourstory.today/stories/susan-w-from-simpsonville-kentucky