I seem to be writing about gifts quite a lot lately. Two weeks ago, I wrote part of my story: A Gift of Words. I wavered on whether to hit “publish” or not. Some posts are more personal than others.
When we share our story, we give a part of ourselves away.
It’s risky. And scary.
But it’s also freeing.
To write is to share your life and connect with other souls, who may or may not have experienced something similar, yet our lives are richer for the partaking of one another’s story.
God came to earth, wrapped in flesh, to partake in our story, and to invite us to partake in His.
God gave Himself. And He gave us the gift of time.
What will we do with the time He has given us?
What do we want to give while we are still here?
Some give their lives away by serving with hands or painting with brushes or writing with words.
Do you have a story you long to share?
Do you worry about how your story might be received?
Pray. Then share. Give. Then smile.
There is nothing greater we could give, than our lives.
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
~ John 15:13
Have you shared your story lately?
Here are parts of mine:
A Gift of Words
Time Is Our Gift {and we get to choose how to open it}
Today, I’m joining Lisa-Jo, taking 5 minutes to write about “gift.”
Looking up this verse: 2 minutes
Writing this post: 5 minutes
Uploading photo and links: 6 minutes
Spending Fridays with you: Priceless
Denise J. Hughes 
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Yes – this is so true! Giving away part of our story is sharing part of life and that is so scary. I never know how it will be received. And yet, as I read this, I cannot help remembering that my life is not entirely my own.
I understand your hesitancy. When you give up personal information about yourself and have no idea how it will be interpreted or received, it’s so scary. Often I wonder if it’s worth it. But as you say, often others relate and whether we ever hear about it, it happens. I trust God to take the words I offer and make them mean something. I give them like loaves and fish and let Him do the multiplying. Thanks for reminding me it can be a noble calling.
Share, Denise. Share. 🙂
Sometime to lay down our life means to lay down our story.
Thank you for the encouragement, Denise. The thing weighing heaviest on my heart, the thing I believe God really wants to bless others through, is the scariest thing I have to share. Courage is coming, though, and I believe I will just have to start writing it in faith for courage to be complete. I am praying, for now, that God will be glorified and the gospel not hindered.
This is a great post, as usual. I am sharing links on my facebook page while I am in between blogs. I’ll be sharing this one today! Thanks!
Absolutely, writing (and sharing it) is personal, emotional, and vulnerable. And I love it! 🙂 It’s so neat when a few of us are thinking of the same topic. I wrote about time as a gift also. Great post!
Wonderful post Denise! For me, writing has become a new favorite way of sharing. Thank you for sharing your words! -Blessings girl, Amy
Sharing our real selves if so risky and scary! I’ve realized though it’s not until I take that risk of being real with others that true stories can come forth — mine and theirs. And when that moment happens – when we can both be vulnerable and real — oh. my. what a gift! Blessings friend.
http://www.positivelyalene.com/
Your questions make me think. Thank you for reminding me that God has given us something special and precious.
Blessings!
You perfectly described the feelings I have when I choose to share what I have written, but I love what you said,”To write is to share your life and connect with other souls, who may or may not have experienced something similar, yet our lives are richer for the partaking of one another’s story”. By God’s grace I will continue sharing my story with others and pray that God will be glorifed because of it! Thank you for sharing your heart–what you have written is a blessing to me!
I love this post. Great reminder. I relate to this. “When we share our story, we give a part of ourselves away.”
I’ve been wrestling this thing lately too. God’s purpose is for us to reflect Him, to share our lives but I think my tendency is to figure out a thing first so I can “look” like I’ve got it together. Problem is no one does. Hmmm, I’m thinking out loud now. Maybe I should stop! 😉
I guess what I’m saying is I like to be acceptable and yet, to be vulnerable you have to share reality. Not necessarily publicly going through struggles but being open to share as God leads. Wow, it’s a tough dance.
How true are your words – to write our heart and story is a risk and we bare our souls. To share our story is to glorify the Lord and grow together in our faith. Thank you for your encouragement (and friendship :-)) xo