"By God's design, I believe our hearts and minds are shaped by story. It's how we learn. It's how we make sense of the world." -Liz Curtis Higgs
Liz Curtis Higgs is one of my favorites. The girl loves the Bible and she brings scripture to life. By God's sweet grace and provision she married a man who has a PhD in something like Hebrew studies to keep her telling the stories with a beautiful and authentic voice.
I grew up listening to all of my grandfathers tell stories. Great- Grandpa Alva, Grandpa Vernon, Papa Chet and Grandpa Lindgren were all known to mesmerize us with the stories they told. The skill is passed down through the generations.
I remember never being bored around the farmhouse table. Someone was always telling a story in our home. Dad and Uncle Mel... when they weren't bickering (this is different from fighting)... they were telling stories. Some tales were from days gone by and others were newsy stories told at the grain elevator or local farm equipment store.
Every culture has a set of stories passed down from generation to generation. They bring the past to life. They help us better understand who we are in the reflection of our ancestors. Stories help us define what we value, what is worth protecting and what we can let fade into history.
"Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation." -Joel 1:3
From generation to generation... I love that!
Someone once said that "history is written by the victors". It is an observation but not entirely accurate. I love how the Bible records the failures and shortcomings of the humans between the pages. Their up-close and personal encounters with God direct and redirect their paths. They get into trouble and they face troubles even when they try to do the right thing.
Prophecies are given and in time they unfold. Kings and queens rise to power and their kingdoms fall, but our God reigns. His purpose will not be thwarted. Jesus came so we might be rescued from our sins. He wants to be a part of writing our stories, helping shape our desires, hopes and dreams.
Today, I am grateful for the stories that shape us.
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