Story…
We all have one wrapped up in a beginning, middle and an end. Some of us are closer to our beginning or perhaps we have crossed the middle into a territory that takes us into new beginnings. The beauty is that each story is rich in details that show a life that has been well-lived or one that is struggling to get by.
Our stories are unique and intentionally crafted by God. Each chapter, event, and detail is not a mistake. The words have been written as a promise of love from God, who would cherish nothing more than for our stories to intersect with His. God promises He will never forget us. He has lovingly written each of our names on the palms of His hands. Choosing God allows us to partake of His love, provision, and grace. If I told you my story, I hope you would see beginnings, middle and ends that are working toward honoring God.
“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins. Isaiah 49:15-16
I have found a song that plays often on the radio now. The song speaks of this beautiful story and our place in it. Big Daddy Weave sings the song “My Story” that weaves words together that speak of hope, redemption and grace, but points us back to Jesus every time.
If I should speak then let it be.
Of the grace that is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served and where mercy wins
Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in
Oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him.
Our story is nothing more than a bunch of words strung together, until in our longing for more, we reach to God to redeem us and humbly ask to become His child. Advent is a time to explore our greatest longing. It is the chance to hang our hope on more than a pre-lit tree with tinsel and ornaments. It is coming to the Savior, born in an animal trough, and opening our hearts to His story on whose foundation the world began.
[Tweet “Our story is nothing more than a bunch of words, until we reach to God to redeem us. #Advent”]
Our story comes to life when it speaks of our love for Jesus. In accepting Jesus as our Savior, we have opened the door for Him to become the Author of each word, page, and chapter until He chooses to stamp “The End” on our lives. We don’t need to skip to the end of the book because we are led by God who has already carefully thought out each chapter. His words for each of us will always be better than any we can craft for ourselves. That is the kind of story I want to call my own.
I would like to leave you with these words from Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift.
We only find out where we are when we find out where He is. We only find ourselves… when we find Him. We lost ourselves at one tree. And only find ourselves at another.
Wise men are only wise because they make their priority the seeking of Christ.
All our moments, all our waking – all the globe is a looking glass to God, and the wise keep seeking the presence of Christ in a thousand places, because you only come to yourself when you come to Him.
This is what we seek during Advent. This is the ultimate story that we have the choice to join.
How would it look for you to join God’s story and in the seeking of Him, you are blessed with finding yourself?
In grace and peace,
Mary
To catch up on any missed posts in the Advent series, click the button below.
Blessed to be linking with:
There you go again…extraordinary!
Truly you bless me just by stopping by but your words…. Oh my! Not sure I deserve the praise! Love you dear friend!
I always love to think of the way God is the Author of my life. In fact, the 1984 NIV uses that terminology in Heb. 12:2 but in their newest version they use the term “Pioneer.” Now both are lovely terms about our Savior, but being a writer, I am so sad that they decided to replace “Author” with “Pioneer.” I love to contemplate that I am in the middle of the story He is writing for me, just as you’ve so eloquently pointed out here, Mary. Thank you for this little burst of encouragement for my heart and so many others. You keep up the good work, girlfriend! You are a beautiful story that the Lord is continuing to write! Merry Christmas, my friend!
Thank you for blessing me today! I am sad too that they took out the word “Author” in Hebrews. I love that word because it describes how God orchestrates every little bit of our lives even when we don’t directly see what is happening. I pray that we all know we are part of God’s story and we make that a choice for ourselves. He is so much better at writing than anyone of us will ever be.
You touched me with your sweet words and my heart is full knowing that my story has intersected with yours in a small way. Love and hugs!
I am speaking at a retreat in January and this is the song I am using at the end of my witness! I was so happy to come across it on your blog today 🙂
How wonderful that you will be speaking in January and what a blessing that God gave you another glimpse into how you will witness at that retreat. I pray that your time at the retreat is blessed by God.
It’s always a temptation to try to take center stage in a story that is not about us. We play the greatest part in the eternal drama when we find our own role and play it well… leaving the starring role to the one and only Bright and Morning Star. Thanks!
Amen! Thank you for these encouraging words. Letting go of our agenda and letting God take the starring role will assure us that we will have an amazing story. Thank you for being here!
Love this–> Our story comes to life when it speaks of our love for Jesus.
So true…so encouraging…such a great reminder. Love this post, friend!!
Glad to have you here, friend! I have missed your encouragement. I love reflecting on story and how God is behind the scenes writing every word. Hope you are having a great week!
So true. Our story, our life, is empty without Him.
Praying that we all have amazing stories because we chose to join our stories with God’s story. I love having you here, Lux!! Blessings!
It’s such a comfort to know that we are part of a bigger plan, part of HIStory! To know that He is weaving the tapestry of our lives. Nothing is wasted. There is grace. There is mercy. There are second {and third, and fourth, and . . . } chances! Your advent series has been such a blessing, my friend! Thank you.
I am so glad you have been joining me on this journey, June! I love writing but more importantly I love that God blesses me with His words and trusts me to share them with others. This is part of my story. Your encouragement is a gift and I treasure it. Thank you for being you!
Beautiful, Mary! “Our story comes to life when it speaks of our love for Jesus.” That is so true. My story would be nothing if I didn’t have God. He is so faithful and has been and will be with us forever.
God is so faithful! He loves creating stories and He is honored when we choose to join our stories with His. I love that you stopped by, Gayl! Blessings!
So much THIS: ” Advent is a time to explore our greatest longing. It is the chance to hang our hope on more than a pre-lit tree with tinsel and ornaments. It is coming to the Savior, born in an animal trough, and opening our hearts to His story on whose foundation the world began.” There is power in telling our stories.
There is so much power in stories and they are blessed when we let God tell them the way He planned so long ago. That is the hard part. Letting go of what we want our stories to be and letting God’s story become our story. I pray you are doing well and are preparing your heart for the holidays!
The problemw ith being a writer (and an organized person in general) is that I keep wanting to take over the rough draft and script my own story. So my story has a lot of me leading the plot off on rabbit trails and a lot of roadblocks where I realize I need to just. let. Him. write. it. :).
I get that. Anita! I have been known to do that too. We always think we know best when in reality we know nothing. God is the Author and He has the best story already written for each of us. I’m praying we can all learn to let go and let God lead us through the chapters of our own stories. Glad to have you here!
“Our story comes to life when it speaks of our love for Jesus.” Amen and amen.
It is a big “Amen” isn’t it? Praying we all speak words of love and reflect Jesus in all we do. Glad you stopped by.
Mary, I LOVE this post! It is so true – each of our stories is such a tapestry woven together by the grace & mercy of our Lord. I have been blessed by so many of your posts but I truly think this is definitely one of my very favorites you have written. May you & yours have a wonderful Christmas!
Your words blessed me today! Thank you for affirming my words. I have written about story throughout Advent and I agree that this post is one of my favorites too. I pray that you have been well. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Beautiful post- so true that our stories should always point back to Jesus and what he has done for us. I love this line- “In accepting Jesus as our Savior, we have opened the door for Him to become the Author of each word, page, and chapter until He chooses to stamp “The End” on our lives.” Great reminder that it’s really his story and we just get to take part. I love the song too.
What a treat to have you here! Thank you for your sweet encouragement. I am amazed at the complexity of our stories and how they weave and connect with others but to God this was His plan all along.
I’m glad you liked the song. It is one of my favorites right now. Blessings on the rest of your week.
Mary, such a beautiful post. I loved this: “We only find ourselves… when we find Him. We lost ourselves at one tree. And only find ourselves at another.”
Too many times, I’ve tried to define my own story, with a little influence from Jesus. But, when I seek Him, lean into Him as I live out each day of my story, the story takes on such depth. I discover more and more of who He designed me to be. Truly amazing.
And that song? I don’t think I’ve heard it! Loved it, and the video. Thanks for sharing. Have a beautiful Christmas, Mary!
Thank you for all your sweet encouragement! I am so captivated by story and the amazing way that God has crafted out stories as well as connected them to others. You will have to get that song for yourself. It is one of my favorites. Christmas blessings friend!
“His words for each of us will always be better than any we can craft for ourselves. That is the kind of story I want to call my own.” Amen! Me, too, Mary! Thank you for this hope-filled post, also the beautiful song.
I love hearing that song on the radio too! Anything with “story” seems to catch my ear these days. I’m so thankful we don’t have to claw our way into the story; God has already written in our part just as he wants it to be. Thanks for sharing this encouragement today, Mary.
We don’t have to claw our way into story even though we certainly feel like it at times. We need to be ready for God to show us the next chapter and then follow Him into the pages He has written for us. It is a beautiful feeling to know how carefully He has thought out every word, sentence, and paragraph of our lives. Blessed you stopped by, Lisa!
Dear Mary … I’m moved by how you’ve re-framed the whole concept of story and shifted the emphasis back where it belongs. To the One who created our inmost beings, who leads on that story-path, who has big plans for our stories to continue.
As I consider sharing more of my own story, your heart-words will come to mind. That I know …
Thank you for affirming these words and for sharing how they have impacted you. It is a blessing to me to have you visit in this little space of mine. I feel like all my favorite people are sitting with me on my couch at home! Glad you are one of those who feel you can put your feet up and stay awhile. Blessings my friend!
Hi dear friend, just saw the comment you left on my blog…I am doing well, Mary. I am caught up in travel plans but it’s all set by His Grace!
Our story becomes beautiful, when it strings the hope we have found in Christ in all our darkest and hopeless moments. That’s when God’s Glory shines through when we find God in everything!
How is your preparation going? Wishing your family the very best this festive season
Hugs and Blessings to you
When we find God in everything then we find hope! Amen! Praying your travel plans go well. Christmas is just one part of our celebration this year since my son is getting married on December 27th. Thank you for being here as always. Blessings and Merry Christmas!