I Love to Tell the Story

Who doesn’t love a good story?  I know I do.  I’m married to one of the best story tellers I know.  Jeremy has a knack for captivating audiences of all ages with his stories.  Some of my favorite lessons I teach in my music classroom center around stories.  I treasure memories of special people like my Grandma Lee and Uncle Joe telling me stories of generations past.  Stories entertain, teach, and inspire.  They evoke every response from laughter to tears.   

While reflecting on the stories of my life, at first I see “dots” . . . moments in time, people in my life, circumstances, experiences, etc.  Too often I view these “dots” as solitary, not relating in any way.  A step back and a deeper look at the “bigger picture” of my life in Christ reveals the connection between these dots.    The intricate connections Christ has so beautifully created become visible. Christ connects these “dots” to create the story of each of our lives.  These “dots” are not haphazard or coincidental, but rather moments of preparation for God’s glory to be revealed.  Often times I lack an understanding of how the dots will connect, but through the good times and the not so good times, God is always working. He’s working things together for our good and more importantly for his glory to be revealed in us.

We all have stories to tell.  Some we’re eager to share, others, not so much.  God is impressing on my heart the importance of sharing our stories and encouraging others with accounts of how He’s “connecting the dots” in our lives.

 Honestly, I was hesitant to put the story of our adoption journey in a public forum.  Sharing things about your life, especially in writing, can bring an uneasy sense of vulnerability.  Questions like, “What will people say?” or “What could I possibly have to say that’s worth reading?” arise.   As I selfishly pondered these questions and doubts, God gently reminded me, “Bonnie, It’s not about you.  It’s about Me.  It’s not about what people will think of you.  It’s about how the story of Jesus Christ in your life can draw others to Me and bring glory to My name.”  What a gracious God we serve!

More than ever, we need to uplift and encourage one another by sharing our stories.  Crushing burdens such as anxiety, heartache, pain, and loneliness are paralyzing us.   The only replacement for these burdens is the comforting peace and presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. One thing I’m learning is that we are all going through something, and you never know what someone else may be going through.  You never know how your story might impact someone’s life. So, I encourage you to tell your story!   Do you love to tell the story of Jesus and his love?

“I Love to Tell the Story”

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story, ’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story, Of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Tebow's Take on Orphans

Anybody who knows me, knows that I've always been a Tebow fan!  The book Through My Eyes is the inspiring and uplifting story of Tim Tebow's life.  Here's a short excerpt that captures his heart for orphans: 

“When faced with the opportunity to make a difference, I know that those who become involved in positive ways in orphans’ lives are themselves blessed.  And from that involvement, the kids begin to understand how important they are.  Once they begin to be helped, fed, clothed, educated, nurtured, cared for, and loved, they start to become the children and eventually adults that God intended them to be when He created them.  I truly believe that the God who loves me also looks at orphans as extremely special.  Over and over, my parents showed us how the Bible talks about taking care of widows and orphans.  God created each one unique, with gifts and abilities like no one else, for His purposes in this world.  Being able to explain that to orphans is an amazing experience, to tell them God’s story, like:  ‘The best dad out there – God - loves you so much and wants to adopt you into His family.’  I’ve always found this to be the best, most encouraging thing you can tell an orphan, that we’re all adopted into the family of God.  Follow it up with a long hug, and then a lifetime of caring and commitment so that they have a chance to become all that God created them to be.”

Here's a link about the orphanage that the Tewbows  have established in the Philippines:
http://www.timtebowfoundation.org/uncle-dicks-home

Steven Curtis Chapman - When Love Takes You In