Hello God, it's me, Mara

You know, Lord, little children love sitting on Mommy’s or Daddy’s lap and listening to them read a story. Little ones are examining every picture; they wait eagerly to hear what is on the next page. Perchance Mommy misses a word or two, don’t we all know little ones who know that and quickly correct Mommy or Daddy? When one is the “Nana,” it is a lot of fun to hold little ones. They like to hold that book. We know they’re paying attention and they do know when we miss a word or two.

Have we ever thought about how our very lives tell a story? Probably not, but in every situation, be it good, bad, or indifferent — people around us are watching us and are listening to the story we are telling. Our story is communicated not only through our words but also through our attitudes and actions as we respond to life’s buffetings and blessings. Our little ones, spouses, neighbors and co-workers can all observe the story we are telling.

That might make us wonder what the story is that those around us are reading through the letter of our lives. Stories of forgiveness? Compassion? Generosity? Patience? Love? If we’ve experience the joy of a grace-filled life that comes from You, Lord, then we have the joy of being one of Your storytellers!

In Your Word, Lord, Paul reminds us that as Your followers, our lives are like letters. “Known and read by all men; … an epistle of Christ … written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God” (2 Cor. 3:2-3). We need to let our life tell the story of Your love and mercy … our story is not written with ink on stone tablets, but on the tablets of flesh that is, of our very heart.

Love, Mara