The Only Story You'll Regret is the One Left Untold

I have little time to scroll through my FB timeline, but when I do, I often get a bright idea for my next blog. I saw a post a few days ago and it inspired me to keep telling stories of my past. Even though my listeners and readers may yawn at yet another one of my Mom or Nana stories, I know they might remember that story and pass it on to their kiddos one day. There are many things I would do over in a better way, if I could, but I can't so I won't live in regret. No “what if’s”, “if onlys” – because that’s no way of living. What I do on-purpose to plant seeds and cultivate them is what matters today. See if this friend's FB post gives you some bright ideas too!

“I’ve encountered the worst, most horrible, awful aspect of cleaning out my dad’s house, which belonged to my grandparents before him: we have lost all the stories. I was my dad’s only child, and he was my grandparents’ only child. My dad’s death was unexpected, so I never got the full data dump of family stories from him, especially as it relates to our heirlooms.
I encounter one object after another that is very old, that I know has deep meaning to my family, but I don’t know details. Which clock is the one that was a wedding gift to my great-great grandparents? Whom did this 1892 Bible belong to? What were the items brought to Texas by covered wagon by my ancestors in the 1850s? My dad knew. Now, he’s gone. There is no one left to ask. I will never know. The stories died with him.

Never has the power of "stories" been more apparent to me than today. It’s reminded me of why I defend people sharing their lives on social media, even if it means we’re walking around taking selfies all the time. When someone is photographing or videoing their lives, it’s not usually because they’re vain or addicted to their phone. It’s because they want to share. They have a story to tell and they want someone to hear it.

As someone who is reeling from the loss of stories, I want to encourage you to be bolder in sharing your own. Let us laugh with you when you can’t find your car in the parking lot. Tell us why you ate that one sandwich for lunch. Vent about how you’re really feeling today. As I sit in my family’s house, surrounded by objects full of secrets I’ll never know, I can promise you the only story you’ll regret is the one that doesn’t get told.”

So, tell those stories, dear friends! Let those youngsters know about walking to school in knee-deep snow (that’s for my Canadian family) – my mother-in-law tells those stories. Tell us how you came to know Jesus.Tell us how He made a difference in your life. Tell us about how you nearly gave up -- but God. Tell us about that vase and where it came from. I love that my mother-in-law labels every item that is given to her by a putting piece of masking tape under that item with a name and date.

I talk a lot about my precious husband -- on purpose. My two youngest grands wouldn't typically remember too much about him, but they do because we keep Papa in the present in our conversations and with photos.

So – with this blog today, I’m reaching out to touch you with an S.O.S.! Don’t take chances that you’ll have your loved ones with you forever or that YOU will be on this side of heaven forever! Ask them about their lives – I mean REALLY delve into WHO they were and what their memories were all about. And, you, start telling YOUR story. I promise you – you will be so glad you did – if not today – someday, when you wish you had!

Our Rich Family History

Last Sunday as we sat around the table, we talked about our “first memories” as a child. Larry said: "I was very young and my mom and I lived in a small one-bedroom apartment. The little fold-up bed I slept on had a plastic cover on the mattress and the sound of the plastic when I moved around woke up my mom and me." He’s come a long way. And, thank God, his beginnings with a single mom caused him to be compassionate toward women who are raising their families alone. That’s one of the reasons he champions the EMwomen organization and the women that my daughter is so passionate about rescuing.

Recently, my cousin and I had a long telephone conversation about many precious family moments when we were young. Our grandparents and their fervent prayer life. Our mothers, who were sisters, and their faith that modeled to us the way we should go. One of my earliest memories was visiting her and my sister in their college dorm in Springfield, MO and eating pizza for the first time in my life. I was six years old. Funny – those earliest memories!

Last week, at the memorial service of a loved one, the pianist/vocalist invited us to sing along with him at the beginning of the service. The first song we sang was “The Old Rugged Cross” and at the first note, my tears began to flow. It was an old song I had not heard for many years and it reminded me of my “rich family history” of being in church, worshipping God and hearing all those stories and songs of God’s amazing grace.

When my mother was up in years, I realized I didn't know much about her history -- stories about her 12 siblings, what it was like living in a large family, how their parents were able to support them financially, how she met my dad, etc. What a shame that I waited so long to find out. I had been so "me" focused that I didn't treasure and appreciate where I came from. I did something about it. I set up my camcorder on a tripod and a few minutes and days at a time interviewed her. Her stories were so precious and so enlightening as to how far she had come and how strong she was throughout her years.

Fortunately, I finally stopped long enough to spend quality time with her that resulted in having VHS tapes made that I could give out to my siblings and their kids when mom passed away at age 94 in 2004. (I’m amusing myself as I type this when camcorders and VHS tapes are now just “blasts from the past”! I was able to pass on to my kids and siblings their rich (not in money, but in faith and fortitude) family history.

I own up to being nostalgic. I guess that comes with being on the other side of raising children, working and caring for a home and family with more time on my hands now to be thankful for my rich family history. I am one of those “older” family members who has a wealth of knowledge and stories just waiting to be shared. Thank you, Facebook, and social media for the ability to do just that. We spend so much time scrolling incessantly on our cell phones instead of one-on-one conversations with those who are filled with treasures that we are missing out on. We don’t talk and ask questions about their life and their past and what makes them who they are today. Maybe this little blog today gives you some inspiration to inquire about your family history – what it looked like “back in their day”, who were their heroes, what helped them conquer – especially in the days without so many conveniences and so much technology that we have today. You just may come to appreciate your rich family history, too!

I am so thankful that the richest family history we have was documented in God’s Holy Word – the Bible. The more I delve into the rich family history of Christianity, the more I know I need to be living every day with great appreciation and gratitude for what our forefathers and foremothers gave us. How can I do that unless I make the effort to know that heritage? Daily, I read or listen to a "Read-the-Bible-Through" in a one-year Bible app with scriptures and commentary. The scriptures come alive, especially as I hear some of the hair-brained mistakes made and the victories that were won by so many heroes of our faith. The history of our faith isn't OLD NEWS. It is the yesterday, today and forevermore news and if we continue to review it, rehearse it, and make it known to our children and our children's children, we will all be living in the plans and purposes of God's great love for His rich family.

Our Story for God's Glory

In a room filled with women from various backgrounds, cultures and walks of life, we heard several of those women share their mouth-dropping "stories" with us. I was riddled with awe to hear their stories. These women are some of the godliest women I know and to hear where God brought them from to where they are today, you would know the reasons why they love Him so much, serve Him so audaciously and lives their lives with full-on gratitude. Though it wasn't easy for them to open up and be so vulnerable, somehow we all related to their stories. We could also see how sharing our own stories can touch people, too. In each of those stories, I could hear the scripture in Genesis 50:19,20, loud and clear...."What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it all for good."

So, I'm prompted to share a little snippet of my story. I was brought up in a family of strong faith. I wasn't neglected or abused. So what story could I share that might encourage others? I can share that, as a little girl, fear consumed me. My daddy was so ill from a brain tumor and had serious seizures that scared me so much, but, my Mom, to this day, was and is my role model, though she has gone on to heaven. She was the strongest, resilient, and unstoppable in her work ethics (to support all of us) and her faith. I still draw strength from her when I get frustrated about something, or someone, and I seek her gentle and quiet spirit to overcome the temptations to be anxious or contrary.

There were times of illness in our children -- Staci with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, but was declared healed a short time later. Today she has a 5-1/2 octave voice range. Ryan, born with club feet so severe that he was in a brace for months -- will complete his 50th full marathon (26.2 miles) next Sunday in Oklahoma City (Yay! I'll be there with him!) "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good."

The years of financial woes brought so many times of worry and concern, but through them all, we found "God worked all things for our good, because we were called to His purposes." (Romans 8:28). I was dramatically healed from a diagnosis of osteo- arthritis, but no pain today when I was told that I would forever only be able to control it with pain meds. I never filled that prescription, but was led to nutritional products that provided what I needed.

The diagnosis of my Sweetheart with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer, the months of treatments, 6 surgeries, many doctor's appointments, endeavoring to control the intense pain and then his passing at such a young age, was probably the single-most challenging times of our faith. Yet we trusted implicitly in God's Word and even stood for his healing until the day he went home and received his ultimate healing.

As I look back on my life, I realize I do have a story. It's one of God's faithfulness in our times of trouble. It is trusting in His promises, and not letting go. It is the peace that passes understanding for this widow. It is the mindset that "I'm still here, so I'm not done. I have assignments to continue, a race to finish, and victories to win."

Defeats - accomplishments; losing - winning; sorrows - joys; tragedies - triumphs; deaths - births; tears - laughter. Did you know that each and every thing and every emotion that you've ever experienced -- the good, the bad and the ugly, are a part of God's plan for your life? And did you know that the Master Plan includes YOUR STORY....and your story could be the game-changer for someone else who is going through similar circumstances?

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:4