There is a misunderstanding, I believe, making its way through our collective minds. The misunderstanding is that we need a “big” story in order to make a difference.
When I was a girl growing up in youth group, our youth leaders would once in a while have someone come in to share their testimony. Or maybe it was when we went to camp. The story was usually the same.
I was an addict and slept around and then God saved me. Whether or not the details were the same, it was always a dramatic rock-bottom story, a drastic thing that elicited internal gasps from the high school and young adult crowds. We were invited either not do drugs and sleep around or to come forward and confess our lives for the first time (or again) for Christ.
There is nothing wrong with testimony or with a good story. In fact, I wholeheartedly believe that God loves, more than anything, picking up the pieces of our broken lives. It’s why He came to us. It is a prime place He is glorified.
Even so, it is the dramatic, desperate stories that get noticed. We simply can’t get enough of the drama. But the dramatic stories aren’t the whole story. And it’s not just in church or in churchy places. It’s on Facebook, on the news, during the Olympics, everywhere.
We all click through the buzz-feeds and viral-novas to the stories that elicit an emotional response: “Watch this mother and child and YOU WON’T believe what the DOG does at the END of this video!”
We love a good story. All of us do. It’s why the drug users/sleeper-arounders get the attention sometimes. It’s why the emotional dogs or tigers that hug their trainers get the notice. Because we love the big things that seem impossible. When God does set a drug user free or save a marriage, it’s a big deal because those are things that seem out of the range of possibility.
But what about the daily stories?
The ones that even for us that have “big” stories in our past or our present fill our lives? No matter the testimony or the story, each of us must live out our carpool, cubicle, laundry and take-out-on-Saturday-night lives. We must.
And these are the stories that, perhaps make more of a difference. They are the tiny, daily steps forward into faith that make us into better mothers or sisters or friends or mentors. They are small hours and small words and small things that perhaps don’t make us double with laughter, but make us smile or think because in that small thing God has taught us something.
These are the stories we tell over dinner or as we walk the downtown. These are the stories that we share over coffee or breakfast with a new friend. The things we talk about in the car on the way home from school.
My “big story?” I hardly ever write about it or even talk about it any more. Not because I don’t love what God has done or that he’s done the hard work of picking up broken pieces. No. But because it’s only a small part of the longer story he’s writing with my life.
It is a part of the longer story of me.
And your big or small stories? Those are part of the beautiful story he’s writing with you. And they may have “drama” or they may not, but it doesn’t matter. They may be noticed or not. Each daily faith risk we step into is one step closer to Him.
Let’s keep telling our stories. The big ones, sure. Like we said, we all love a great redemption story. But the small ones, too. The ones you type out on your blogs each day. The little things we share on Facebook. The breakfast tables we photograph for Instagram.
That is truly when the impossible is possible — when we all live a life of daily story with God.
So let’s keep telling all of our stories because we all need one another.
Leave a Comment
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Sarah,
This is so true and so beautifully written. As I get older, I realize my faith journey was not one single event but a series of smaller events. I also see in my grown children that it is not the big, wondrous events I did with them as children that had a great impact, but the simple every day experiences that really stuck. My son, now 21, so fondly remembers when we would grab our lawn chairs (his was pint-sized) and we would set them up at the end of our driveway, gaze at the clouds and the passers by, and talk to each other about God and whatever?? and simply watch the world go by. THIS is what my son remembers. God’s most profound work is often found in the simple. Thank you for this reminder!
Blessings,
Bev
Jenn says
I agree that we often get caught up in the big, glamorous stories. Thank you for reminding us that the little, everyday stories matter just as much.
Eryn says
Yes! So very true- all stories are part of one big story that lead to the glory of God! Thank you.
Jennifer Kostick says
I’ve been pondering this exact same school of thought recently. I believe we live experiencing miracles daily. God is moving and working all around and inside us. We all have stories to share that are filled with purpose and meaning. No story is too small when it includes the work of God’s hand. I love that you shared this today!
Marty says
This is something I tell my children all the time. They, like me, have non-dramatic stories of how God saved them at an early age. I used to worry that my story wasn’t exciting enough to convince another person to follow Jesus, and that is so not the point. And not my job. I’m to just be willing to share. Jesus does the rest. Our stories are just us telling someone else what GOD has done in our lives. While we should try to memorize God’s Words, at that moment when we are trying to witness to someone, we don’t have to be able to recite a thousand Scriptures. We don’t have to know any specific “formula.” We don’t have to defend anything because it’s OUR story and no one can take that away from us: where I was…what GOD did…what He’s continuing to do in my life. Once I learned that, evangelism became so much easier. Thank you for sharing. I love this reminder. 🙂
Heather says
I just wrote on the same topic. I have always struggled with feeling second-class because I don’t have a dramatic testimony. I met Jesus at 7 and have pretty much walked with him ever since. Not very exciting, but God has still done beautiful things in me. I am learning to embrace my story and to share it with others. How others respond is not my responsibility- God just wants me to share and leave the rest up to him! And the funny thing? I now find myself praying that my baby boy would have an equally boring testimony 🙂
http://www.heatherschlender.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/on-writing-my-testimony/
Sarita says
On the other hand what you may think is a small story is big to the person who has experienced it.
Jennifer F. says
Wonderful post, Sarah. Once again your words are timely and speak directly to the heart. Blessings!
Nanette says
Thank you, thank you, thank you…
Patti says
Thank you for your perspective!
karyn says
I do already on WordPress.
🙂
Lynn Banks says
I love everything I am reading in this place Robin Tame led me too❤ Our lives were shattered two years ago , when my husband was critically injured while driving an ambulance with my son–in-law as a parametic in the back . I thought I had a pretty good relationship with my higher power but sad to say that was also put in intensive care❤. I am grateful today to be in a much better place renewing my relationship with God and my husband ❤. Thanks , Sarah , for sharing.
Caryn Christensen says
Sarah, I am one of those people with a “big” story. But believe me, growing up and well into adulthood, I WISHED I had no story, or a “little” story. I just wanted “normal”. I happened to marry someone who had a stable upbringing and I always appreciated what my mother-in-love would say to me, “It’s just as much of a testimony to the saving power of God to NOT have a “big” story as it is where God in saving in “big” ways.”
I believe the greater issue is not to compare our stories. We are ALL part of GOD’S story and should, as you say here, keep telling our stories {so that God receives the glory}.
There are many, many times I don’t want to tell my story, but one of my life verses which applies to all of us is, “They overcame him {the enemy}, by the blood of the lamb, and the word of their testimony.” Rev. 12:11
As one with a hard story, I can say with confidence that we NEED people just like you to tell your stories too. We need to know that life isn’t always chaotic, and that God is EVERYWHERE…especially in the “small”.
Becky Keife says
I love what you’ve shared, here, Caryn. Just as God works all things in our lives for our good and His glory, so all the stories he writes in our lives, big and small, are for a purpose. I am mutually blessed by hearing how God redeems a life in the pit and how he redeems a toddler’s bedtime routine. We need to share and hear them all!
Thank, you, Sarah for encouraging us to keep our eyes open for the all the ways God is at work in our lives and how the power of story is a gift for every moment.
Caryn Christensen says
Yes Becky! “I’m mutually blessed by hearing how God redeems a life in the pit and how he redeems a toddler’s bedtime routine.” Exactly!
Sandra Heska King says
Madeleine L’Engle said that as writers we all feed the lake–whether we’re small trickles or big rivers. I think that’s the same with our stories. Every piece is part of God’s bigger story.
Trudy says
I love this, Sandra!
Sandra Heska King says
🙂
Caryn Christensen says
What an appropriate quote Sandra!
Trudy says
“Only a small part of the longer story He’s writing…” Beautiful perspective. 🙂 Thank you, Sarah, for reminding me to look at His bigger picture.
Beth Werner Lee says
This really came home to me when we were studying WW2 last year at this time, and I spoke with the librarian about all the resistance workers. She said it makes you think, would you do something like that? And I sort of replied truer than I knew, that’s why we do the little things now.
Jesus saying he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much.
Thank you for validating the small daily acts of faith. I love how you wrote your big story, and I love reading your (in)courage posts too!
I told a neighbor just yesterday that with the care of my aging father in house I learned the truth about myself: I am not more patient and kind than other people as I used to think, I just hadn’t been pushed to my limits before. I need the gospel as much as anyone! The truth is freeing, actually! So daily I beg God for his love to give to his people around me, for his wisdom, for his control of my day.
Susan Shipe says
Every day a page is written in the journey of our eternal story. He chronicles every word and bottles every tear. Oh how I love Him so.
Beautiful post for a pensive Saturday.
Emily says
This is beautiful. Thank you so, so much for sharing. It truly is the little, seemingly insignificant things that sometimes matter the most.
http://itsreallyrosie.blogspot.com
Brianna says
Thank you. You have beautifully expressed a stirring in my heart. So many times I see the “big” stories on Facebook and hear about them from other friends, that I lose sight of the importance of the small moments. Your words gave me such peace. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Chris Malkemes says
There are no big or little stories with our God – just stories. Stories He’s written on our heart, stories He’s crafted in our mind and stories He’s etched on our souls. Each and every one lovingly crafted. He stands looks over at the angels, points at you and then says, “Wow. Isn’t that a good masterpiece! We’ve worked well together. I love her story. She’s mine. She’s My story.”
lisa tindal says
It truly is the daily interactions, responses, conversations that mean so much. If we are attentive to the people and places God orchestrates, we see his hand. Such a neat thing to notice!
Rhonda Quaney says
This.
Simply one of my favorite reads this week.
And you are darling.
Tracy says
So true! My husband has a ‘was on drugs then found Jesus’ story, but mine is different. I was a ‘good girl’. To the world I looked like I would be going to heaven. My conversion was not a dramatic story of rescue (although really it was!) but my husband says he wishes he had a story like mine. Why? Because most people are like I was. And when you live a ‘good’ life you don’t recognise that you need Jesus. When you’re in a pit it’s obvious that you need saving.
Rachel Lundy says
So true! God’s purposes are being fulfilled in the “small” stories too. Thank you for sharing!
Pamela Hodges says
I always thought my addiction story would have more impact if I had been addicted to heroin instead of sugar.
God will use all of us to help others. The little stories and the big stories.
Thank you Sarah.
Karen says
I used to think I didn’t have a “story” until one day the light bulb came on and I realized that because of my “lack of a story”, God had perfectly positioned me to help someone walk out theirs. It was incredible to realize the impact my story could and continues to have. I’m thankful!
robin freeman says
I am one of the ‘good girls’ who thought she had no story.. However. it is not true. All redemption is a BIG story. as I grew older I began to realize how very ,very precious God’s grace is to me, and it is SO needed for the young people of today.. to know that it is a blessing to be pure and to love Jesus NOW . share HIs grace, his saving strength and rejoice in HIs mercies in keeping you. AS someone told me once, It takes just as much Grace to have Him keep you as to save you. it is all GRACE
Donna says
My story is full of grace and mercy. …Love I didn’t deserve. I guess that’s all of us. God is so welcoming to us no matter our story.
Brandi says
Thank You for this very timely encouragement!! I second all of the posts before me- our little stories weave into the Kingdom story and we need not compare.
A sweet and tender reminder!!
Cecilia says
Thanks for this, Sarah. I guess I started reading your blog because of the big story! But as you point out, you now rarely talk about it & I hadn’t noticed, certainly hadn’t stopped reading, as I love to read how God is at work in your everyday.
My first ever article, posted on my friend’s blog just a few weeks ago, echoes a lot of the same themes. I don’t have my own blog (yet) and I think that’s because a lack of a specific Christian job or a big story leaves me wondering why anyone would want to read.
My sacred scared post is here
http://wisdomshouts.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/our-own-sacred-scared-post-3-by-cecilia/
Keep up the good work, Sarah
Lisa says
Thank you!!!!!you touched a very special place in my heart, it brought about a sigh of ‘release’ and relief:-)
Patty says
God’s small stories help create the Big Stories that all lead to God’s Big Dance Floor as Chris Tomlin sings.
Beth WIlliams says
Sarah,
I never had a story to tell and thought I couldn’t witness. It has taken several years and a lot of Bible Study to realize that my actions speak louder than words. By simply doing nice things, sending encouragement, praying for people that I am witnessing far louder than with mere words.
Thanks for a great & thoughty post! 🙂
Kellie says
I wholeheartedly agree. You know the phrase, “it’s not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away”… Well, I think it IS the breaths you take. Just the ordinary. That’s what life’s about.
Angie Ryg says
Yes! I often feel this need for the big to happen for the message to be mighty, when you are so right, He is made mighty even in the middle of the mundane mess.
And someday, maybe we can chat over coffee as new friends and share the stories of the daily mess and hope and grace. 🙂
Cherise says
So much of what you wrote has been on my mind for years! For most of my Christian life, I felt that my testimony was less-than. It wasn’t dramatic or flashy or gasp-worthy. It was a quiet, ordinary story of a three year old little girl who asked Jesus to live inside of her. The changes wrought in her were so gradual that she didn’t really notice. It wasn’t until I reached my twenties that I began to realize that not only is my rescue from darkness still a RESCUE worth shouting about, but my daily walk with Jesus is full of stories of how he moves in my life. Thanks for a beautiful post.
Olivia Brant says
“”My “big story?” I hardly ever write about it or even talk about it any more. Not because I don’t love what God has done or that he’s done the hard work of picking up broken pieces. No. But because it’s only a small part of the longer story he’s writing with my life.”
A great reminder that it’s the daily, seemingly mundane stories that make up our lives – and we need to keep telling them. I’m glad I came across your big story – it’s how I “met” you. But I’m so glad you have continued to write about daily life with God. It’s what has kept me coming back. Redemption is just the beginning – there is life after redemption, after all.
Marijo says
Thank you for sharing! So true! God uses all our bits and pieces for His glory in our story!
Mrs. H. says
Oh this. I love stories … hearing them, telling them. They are soul-meat and hopefully, gospel-pictures.
A Family Mission says
Sarah you are so on the mark with your thoughts! It does not take extraordinary events to create huge impacts. It is really ordinary people doing small ordinary things in the spirit of love as we are taught by Jesus to do. I get reminded of this daily as I watch my 14 year old daughter who is the most loving, giving and selfless young lady that I know.
She is making an impact on her immediate world in school and has moved us to larger, more daring projects as a family.
Good stuff…
Marilyn Saxon says
Thank you so much for posting on little stories and daily stories that make a HUGE difference in our lives and in the lives of others. I appreciate the dramatic testimonies, too.
I liked especially what you said about the daily testimonies and how they are put together over our lifetime.
Thank you for being obedient to God.
Your Sister in Christ,
Marilyn (South Carolina)