Telling Our Stories (and a Giveaway)

Several years ago, we took the family to see comedian Tim Hawkins perform. The auditorium was packed. We were high in the balcony, surrounded by people who—like us—were all laughing so hard they were crying.

It was a fun, memorable night.

I don’t remember most of the jokes Tim told, but something he said about being a comedian made a lasting impression. His philosophy—or maybe it’s more of a practice—for his work is simply this:

“Live life. Take notes. Tell stories.”

Those six words struck a chord because if I had to nail it down, that’s pretty much how I approach blogging. I don’t spend a lot of time analyzing scripture, commenting on current events or telling people what to do or think.

I mostly live my life, notice when something happens that might encourage or help someone else, and then write about it. 

I write this way because it feels like me, and also because that’s the kind of blog post that I am most drawn to myself. I may not remember a four-point outline about how to trust God though a hard time, but I will remember a story that demonstrates how someone actually did this.

Tim Hawkins’ words came to mind when I wrote this piece, about the guy I saw at Aldi who mistook me for someone else. Once I got over the initial shock of being called the wrong person, my first inclination was to jot down what had just happened in my phone because I thought it would make for a good blog post.

This is not the same as doing something simply so you can write about it later (like staging a photo just so you can post it to Instagram). It’s more about paying attention to the details of your life and not ruling anything out when it comes to what might make a memorable story.

That’s not necessarily a story that causes your readers or listeners to laugh until they cry (although those are always fun too). Rather, it’s one that imparts truth, builds a bridge or simply makes someone feel less alone.

Jesus told stories—the Bible calls them parables—to His inner circle of followers as well as the larger crowds who flocked around him. Our stories probably don’t have the reach or impact that His had, but we tell them too—more often than we realize.

I’ve told my girls about the time I stood up in front of my college marketing class and was so nervous my skinny, panty-hose clad knees were literally knocking together. Or the time my dad took me out driving and made me get out of the van by the side of the road so I could see I wasn’t about to careen off the edge like I thought.

My goal wasn’t to entertain them, but to help them see that what they were experiencing—anxiety in a high-school speech class or nervousness about learning to drive, for example—was both common and conquerable. 

You might not have a blog, but maybe you share your experiences and thoughts on Facebook or Instagram. Perhaps it’s mostly in real life—over coffee with a friend, when you’re tucking your kids in for the night or over a slow dinner with your husband or sister. 

Whatever the case, when we move through each day with Tim Hawkins’ words echoing in our hearts and minds, we understand more clearly that nothing that happens to us is ever wasted. 

“Live life. Take notes. Tell stories.”

What happens next, in the hearts of our readers or listeners, is out of your hands. Our job is to share, and leave the results up to God.

• • •

And now, a giveaway. My woodworker husband (@woodshopmade on Instagram) has made a little sign featuring Tim’s quote that I would love to send to one of you (U.S. readers only, please). All you have to do is leave a comment below by June 28. I’ll conduct a random drawing and announce the winner here and on Instagram. 

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Inspire Me Monday, #HeartEncouragement and Grace & Truth.

• Photos by Molly Flowers