I am participating in a Five Minute Friday 10 Day Writing Challenge. We can write for 5 minutes or more, but the goal is to write every day. We began on March 2, with the word TODAY, and I wrote for five minutes whatever came to mind. I may share it at a later date. The word for Day 2 is STORY, which I am sharing in today’s post.
My Story Begins
We all have a story to tell, but all of our stories overlap with those of others. Mine started when I was born 67 years ago in a hospital in Meridian, Mississippi. Both sets of grandparents lived nearby. My parents worked at Nabisco, though at the time it was called National Biscuit Company.
The company finally said that both of them could not work there so one would have to go. Well, when I came along, my mom decided to stay home to care for me. We moved several times before I was three, mainly because my dad was transferred to different locations.
The last move was to Jacksonville, Florida, when I was three. My Dad became the Operation Supervisor for Nabisco in that town. That is where I grew up, later meeting my future husband at our church. While in Jacksonville my two brothers were born.
My Story Continues
After we married, our story was being written in many different places. It seemed we were always moving around. We lived in FL, NH, SD, NJ and now SC. Over a twenty year period 7 children were born to us. We have always been a close knit family.
So now my story includes not only my parents and siblings, but my husband and children, grandchildren, in-laws, and lots of friends in many places. Parts of my story were written in each of the places we lived.
There is a Story-Teller
And my story is still being written by the Master Storyteller. I’m reminded of a quote by G. K. Chesterton when he said in his book ORTHODOXY,
I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story there is a story-teller. ~G.K.Chesterton
My life is a story, a true story that’s being written by the Creator of the universe. There is joy, sadness, adventure, love, compassion, peace, beauty, and so much more.
I am thankful to know my Creator also loves me. In surrendering my life to Him, I find true freedom to pursue my interests. I enjoy painting, drawing, crocheting, playing the piano, writing poems and blog posts, spending time in nature and of course spending time with people, especially family.
Learning new things still excites me. I may make mistakes, but that’s okay, because they give me experience.
When I am able to use my experiences to help someone else, I find that I am blessed, too.
Life’s Journey Continues Through Eternity
Life is a journey and along the way I want to share love and the joy that I find in Jesus. And when my time on earth is done, my earthly story ended, my journey continues on through eternity. When I leave this earth, I’ll be with my Savior and all those who have gone before.
And even though my story here will end, I pray that those who come after me will still find joy and encouragement from the works and words I leave behind.
Psalm 78:4-7 (CSB)
We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.
He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future generation—children yet to be born—might know.
They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep his commands.
I’m linking up with: #TellHisStory, #HeartEncouragement
Thank you for sharing part of your story! Story is so connected to place, isn’t it? I lived in the South for awhile (WV and NC).
Thank you, Anita! I didn’t realize you had lived in the south. Thanks for visiting here today. Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl, I always love hearing more of your story! And I can see in you that precious gift of passing along your story to your children and to all those you love. Thank you for sharing your heart and life with so many of us here. I’m so blessed to know you! Blessings, love, and hugs my dear poet/sister/friend!
Dear Bettie, thank you so much! Your words always encourage me, and I am also blessed to know you, my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo Blessings to you!
I too love reading more of your stories. One day I hope to get to the States again to discover more of your beautiful country. You have lived in so many different places. That must have been so hard with a young family in tow and not easy for your kids either. But also enriching and refining.
I love that we share the love of trying new things. I see that hunger to keep learning and growing in you and in Bettie, even in your beautiful maturity in Christ, where I know I have SO much more to learn from you: it’s so humbling and such a gift to me. Through your humility You show others that no matter their age they have something beautiful to offer. Thankful for your life and your story that are blessing me in so many ways.
Dear Anna, I’m so glad you enjoy reading my stories. It was hard to make so many moves. The first move was the two of us, the second there was one child, the next couple there were two children, then the next there were 4. There we stayed for several years until we moved to SC, with all 7, though 2 of them were already adults at the time. But in each place God has provided and we met wonderful people. There were many crises, too, but God saw us through them all.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, dear Anna. So glad you are also blessed through my life. I’m so glad God brought us together and I really hope we meet in person one day. Blessings and love and hugs to you, my dear friend! xoxo