Stories

I've read many times that the stories we hear and read become the fabric of our lives.  The stories of other people become part of our stories.  That's why I love reading biographies and autobiographies.  That's also why I love to listen to my friends' stories.  Those stories are a gift from God, living examples of His grace.  Through the stories of others, I gain valuable perspective and insight for my own life.  When I read about John Glass, (The Revenant by Michael Punke), who was mauled by a bear in the 1800s, my neck pain suddenly doesn't seem so bad.  When I visit with my friend and neighbor, I see firsthand what it looks like to live a Godly and productive life in the senior years.  I talk to a younger friend about the frustrations of waiting on family issues, and we liken my waiting to her waiting, which in her case is waiting for a baby and not knowing exactly when he or she will arrive, or how much attention he or she will need.  This book is about a woman with a disability, which I can relate to myself, and also the book helps me know how best to minister to families affected by disability.