We all love stories. We love to be captivated by a story, whether it’s funny, sad, or even romantic. They light up our emotions and fire up the imagination. They teach us so much because we can relate to them.
“You have a story. Someone needs to hear your story and only you can help that person.” ~Les Brown
We all have stories. Stories of good times and bad times. Sad stories, happy stories, funny stories, and stories of redemption. Motivational speaker Les Brown said, “You have a story. Someone needs to hear your story and only you can help that person.”
When I heard those words in 2013, they hit me hard, like a fast-moving truck. I knew I had a story. I just didn’t want to tell it.
How selfish of me.
I was holding back from helping someone else because I didn’t want to share my story. I didn’t want to talk about my pain, my scars, my shame, or even my redemption. I didn’t want to be vulnerable.
It took six months for me to realize that my story isn’t about me. In fact, it’s really not even my story. It’s God’s story, told through my life. When I realized that, I found the strength and courage to share my story. In doing so, I broke down the prison walls in my heart that I spent years building. And, I helped break down the prison walls for someone else.
That’s the strength of sharing our stories.
We have crossed the chasm and come through chaos, and once across, we have the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to turn back and throw a rope to help someone else cross over safely too. That’s the strength of your story.
Today, I tell my story to help and inspire others. And, I help and inspire others learn to tell their own stories.
It might be just one person that needs to hear your story. It might be the whole world. When we share our stories, we create a ripple effect that touches lives in a way we may never know about. Each and every day, I hear from someone who has heard my story and tells me how I’ve touched their life. And, I tell them, it’s not my story. It’s God’s story told through my life.
I’m blessed to be telling it!
