Inducement

We all have a story to tell. Maybe it’s the story of an epic adventure you had as a kid that was so thrilling you never forgot a single detail. Maybe it’s the story of an accomplishment like breaking a record running a 5K race. Or the story of a defining moment in your life, like realizing you really wanted to be a nurse. Or maybe it is a tragic and devastating story of the loss of a child. No matter what type of narrative your story tells, all of it is important and valuable. Every minute detail is significant because it makes up the fabric of your being, who you truly are, and how you came to be that person. It is your story, and you were put here on this Earth to tell it. Our life stories and experiences hold so much power and importance because they are what make us exactly who we are, and they are the roadmap of how we got to this very moment. They are what make us significant and irreplaceable as individuals, yet the most important part is not who we are because of our stories but how our stories connect us. Our stories hold so much more relevance than we know. Within your story, nothing is wasted. No matter how good or bad your life has been, every facet and moment matters. We often don’t like to remember or face the parts of our lives that were painful or we aren’t proud of, and we don’t like to share those parts of our stories with others. But those are often the most important parts to share. Those are the elements that connect us to one another and ultimately to God, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Our stories connect us because they make us feel less alone. When we hear someone talk about their divorce or the struggle with their defiant teenager and we understand where they are coming from, we feel understood and comforted. We find relief in the fact that others have similar struggles to our own. It’s not because we want others to struggle as we have, but knowing you aren’t alone in something makes you feel comforted and somehow stronger. That’s the purpose of connection, and it’s a beautiful gift from God. All we have to do is share our stories with others and open our hearts to those around us to receive this amazing gift from above. We have to tell our stories and tell all of our stories. We can’t omit the parts that aren’t pretty because that would deny us our freedom to move on and release those feelings of pain, guilt, and shame often associated with our past. Denying it will only keep you from moving forward. If you knew that sharing your story would not only free you from the difficult parts of your past but could also free someone else from their pain, guilt, and shame, would you share it? We must share! God calls us to live our lives with open hearts, accepting everyone as they are. We have to release our judgment of ourselves and, especially, of others and leave that in God’s hands. Once we let it go, we can connect freely with one another and live a beautiful, happy life, just as He intended for all of us to do. I have always been the person people feel comfortable sharing details of their life with. There have been many times when I have thought to myself, Why is this person telling me this? This has happened all my life with all kinds of people. Close friends, siblings, coworkers, and even complete strangers seem to feel the same instinctive gravitational pull to open up to me. Maybe it’s because I’ve learned to be open to others and present my heart like a welcome mat on my chest, or maybe it’s the path and purpose God has given me. When I was younger, I didn’t always know how to handle the information that was being shared with me. I felt the need to help them and do something for them. It was somewhat of a burden to carry, especially when I couldn’t find a way to help. Later on in adulthood, I realized it isn’t my job to fix everyone else’s problems. That’s where God comes in. I realized my purpose was simply to be a gracious listener and to always carry myself with an open mind, heart, and ears to hear the stories of those around me and help free them from their burdens. I am the bridge.