Stories

I’m sitting in Mo Joes Coffee House and Café and they are playing one of those radio stations which conjure up memories of my childhood. I don’t have to explain it to you because you are well aware of the power of music to be able to take you back to a place in your past. For me, the song playing was James Taylor’s “How Sweet it is to Be Loved by You.” My brother, Tim, was a big fan of James Taylor while we were growing up and I used to make fun of him because the music was not my style. As time went on (and after hearing James Taylor over and over from the walls of my brother’s room) listening caused me to slowly fall in love with his music. He had this simple way of stripping away all the extra stuff and making you listen to the words. Don’t get me wrong…James Taylor is an amazing guitar player, but there is something about his voice and the words which cause people to listen to more than just the instruments. His songs tell a story and make you (or at least me) want to hear more. A good story always leaves us wanting to hear more. This is why at the end of a great concert there is always an encore. That is why a good movie has a sequel (sometimes). This is why your kids always ask for one more story before they go to bed…they want to hear more. Our life is a story we are writing each day. There are countless characters, many sub-plots, and lots of drama…even for people who think their life is boring. I guess the question I have for myself is “do people want to see more of my life?” Do they want to know more because of what they already see? I’m not implying that life is the simple acquiring of attention from others, but rather time spent pointing other people to the One who has given and sustains life. I want my story to begin and end with Him. I want Him to chose the characters, the plots, and the roads traveled. Thanks, Aaron, for reminding me that God writes a much better story than I do!