May 2024: Does Your Story Matter?

"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me." Psalm 66:16

In the book of Mark, there’s a story of Jesus casting out a legion of demons from a man who lived in the tombs across from the shore of Galilee. This unrestrainable man broke chains, shattered shackles, cried out in the night, and cut himself with stones. After Jesus delivered him, he was miraculously healed. When Jesus got in the boat to leave, this man wanted to go with him. But Jesus said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” Mark 5:19

After my daughter passed into Heaven in 2014, I didn’t have many people around me to talk to about it. I had to lean on God for my strength. He gave me such favor in his presence and messages to me, and in such a personal way, that I had to talk about it whenever I was given the opportunity. At first, I was hesitant to tell all that God had done because I doubted others might believe me or would judge me in some way. But, just as the Bible tells us, my story made an impact on others who were struggling with loss.  Being able to share all that God has done in your life is your story. It is what allows others not to be afraid to be vulnerable and will give them permission to share their story as well.

Since becoming a Hope After Loss leader, I have often wondered what about our community makes our time together so impactful? I believe a great part is due to our willingness to share our stories. To be bold and courageous about what God has and is doing in our grief journey. When God is the center of our conversation, we are learning to trust that we are in a safe enough place to talk about him and all he has done. Where would we be without him drawing us so close to him, closer than we have ever been? Psalm 34:17-18 says, “The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

I challenge you to think about who you are around during your daily interactions, great or small, that would benefit from hearing your story. It can be something as simple as saying, “Isn’t it great to know we have a loving God?” to someone in a brief passing, or something about how God has changed your heart for someone who was difficult to be with. There are more opportunities to do this than you think! Ask God to show you. Whatever he gives you to share, I guarantee you, he will bless it. He will guide your words and thoughts, if you are willing to be a spokesman for his grace and loving kindness.

We have an enemy, the devil, who doesn’t want us to tell what God has done in our lives. He wants us to keep it hidden away. He doesn’t want us to tell how we traded in our broken hearts and all our other shattered pieces for a beautiful new vessel that God has shaped for his glory!

What has God done in your life? If you wrote it all down, how long would your list be? Mine would be very, very long and goes all the way back to when I was around five years old. I can assure you though, that before I crashed in the pain of living without my daughter, I wouldn’t have thought that sharing my story of all God has done for me was as relevant as I know it is now.

Every redemption story can be like a seed—when God plants it into the heart of another person, it will become a plant that bears more seeds and fruit. 

Don’t hide your story—tell it!. If you’re not sure how to do it, just start by saying, “ This is who I was. This is what Jesus did for me. And this is who I am now.” Use your disappointments and struggles as the part of your story that shows God's best work! Because with God, your wounds can become the greatest source of your new beauty! As it says in 2 Corinthians 11:30, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

With HOPE,

   Rhonda Kemp