Stories We Carry

October 10th, 2018 Posted in writing

Once a year I visit my cousins in Washington state, and some of our conversations involve retelling stories of the family. Last year, for instance, I again heard the story of how my grandfather and his brother left Poland to come to the United States in the late 1800s.

They had been recruited in Europe to pick pineapples in Hawaii, decided to take the offer and went through many experiences before eventually becoming American citizens and settling on the West Coast. It must have taken a great deal of courage to leave the people they knew and loved and settle in a new country far away.

When I experience significant changes in my life, I remember my grandfather and his brother. I draw strength from their willingness to (literally) move into a whole new world with a new history, language and way of doing things. The story of their courage inspires and supports me.

Similarly, I appreciate the stories carried by my faith family (the Church) telling about God’s creating the world, saving the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt and speaking to his people through the prophets. I am especially grateful for the stories about Jesus’ teachings, miracles, dying and rising, and stories about the saints. All these stories strengthen my faith, hope and love.

Maybe you’ll find some time in the next week or two to thank God for the stories that encourage and support you. Each of them is a gift from a loving, generous God.

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