I am the keeper of stories. Stories that are not my own. Stories of friends, of family members, of strangers. Stories that are shared with me in moments of quiet, of vulnerability, of need to just.tell.someone!
I am the keeper of stories. Some stories are ones that have been told before but just need one more telling. They aren't so secret, more pressing on the conscience of the story teller. These stories usually require a response to help ease the mind of the story teller or refocus the direction. I take on the roll of mentor or guidance counselor, offering words of assurance, encouragement and sometimes gentle rebuke.
I am the keeper of stories. Other stories have been held close the heart of the story teller. The stories are looking to be told but only to one who is safe. Who won't share those stories again. They don't need words of advice or wisdom or direction. They are stories that simply need to be heard, without judgment.
I am the keeper of stories. With each story I sit in awe and wonder that for some reason this person chose me to share their stories. Honored at the trust and mindful of that trust as well.
I am the keeper of stories. Stories that I will never share because they aren't my own. Stories of sorrow, pain, anger, joy, fear, hope, grief, hurt and more. Stories that remind me of the vulnerability in even the strongest of souls. Stories that remind me that behind every face is a story just waiting to be told.
I am the keeper of the stories of others...and stories of my own. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Monday, February 6, 2017
Searching for my voice
I sometimes have a hard time speaking up, not because I don't have opinions - I have plenty of those - but because I don't want to offend others. I try to play nicely with others, don't rock the boat, be the peacemaker. I'm just about done.
Last week, my Mom and I went to hear Jim Wallis of Sojourners speak at a church in the area. There were so many people we wound up in one of several overflow rooms where they were live streaming his speech. (I do know that he was, in fact, at the venue. We passed him as we left our building and he was going to the book table to sign books.) At the end, during the question and answer period, Jim made a statement - faith inspires hope which prompts action which brings about change. I've been pondering that statement all week.
A Bible verse that has become my mantra over the years has been a variation of Micah 6:8 - "Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." Justice and mercy, in my view, look very different than the current US Administration views justice and mercy. I am tired of hearing about how we need to "make America great again", which seems to mean to put the interests of rich, white men above the needs of the poor, the needy, immigrants, people of color, working class, middle class, women, children...the list could just keep going on and on and on. I'm tired of hearing that all the news media is lying. I'm tired of the threats and patronizing comments from the current administration. I'm tired of hearing about "alternative facts" and I'm tired of the thin skinned man that sits in the White House. We are haven't even made it a month and already, I'm tired.
I've been struggling to find hope for the United States since November. I've been struggling to listen to the opinions of those who don't believe the same way I believe. I stopped watching the news. I stopped doing anything more than skimming the headlines. Because since November, I've felt hopeless - wanting to be a peaceful person amidst the anger but just feeling so.darn.angry. I've listened to those who have said we just need to accept things and move on but I don't want to accept things. I don't want to just move on. And yet, I don't know what to do...yet. I simply know I'm tired.
Faith - hope - action - change. Justice - mercy - humbleness - God. I'm pondering these things and searching for my voice.
Last week, my Mom and I went to hear Jim Wallis of Sojourners speak at a church in the area. There were so many people we wound up in one of several overflow rooms where they were live streaming his speech. (I do know that he was, in fact, at the venue. We passed him as we left our building and he was going to the book table to sign books.) At the end, during the question and answer period, Jim made a statement - faith inspires hope which prompts action which brings about change. I've been pondering that statement all week.
A Bible verse that has become my mantra over the years has been a variation of Micah 6:8 - "Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." Justice and mercy, in my view, look very different than the current US Administration views justice and mercy. I am tired of hearing about how we need to "make America great again", which seems to mean to put the interests of rich, white men above the needs of the poor, the needy, immigrants, people of color, working class, middle class, women, children...the list could just keep going on and on and on. I'm tired of hearing that all the news media is lying. I'm tired of the threats and patronizing comments from the current administration. I'm tired of hearing about "alternative facts" and I'm tired of the thin skinned man that sits in the White House. We are haven't even made it a month and already, I'm tired.
I've been struggling to find hope for the United States since November. I've been struggling to listen to the opinions of those who don't believe the same way I believe. I stopped watching the news. I stopped doing anything more than skimming the headlines. Because since November, I've felt hopeless - wanting to be a peaceful person amidst the anger but just feeling so.darn.angry. I've listened to those who have said we just need to accept things and move on but I don't want to accept things. I don't want to just move on. And yet, I don't know what to do...yet. I simply know I'm tired.
Faith - hope - action - change. Justice - mercy - humbleness - God. I'm pondering these things and searching for my voice.
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