Write Your Story
Why not write your own story? Storytelling is great fun when you reach back into your memory and realize what gems you have to share. Some funny. Some life changing. Some even miraculous. Writing your autobiography can become a pleasant pastime, but it will take time and effort.
What do you treasure most about what’s behind you? Arthur Gordon, in “Return to Wonder” challenges us to look for and treasure even the unexpected. And yes, to look back with gratitude.
“Life is such a mysterious and complicated journey,” he writes. “Most travelers, I think, look back in terms of things they see on their journeys. But I believe the things you remember longest are often the sudden, unexpected, surprising little happenings that jolt you for half a second, out of the rut you are in, or perhaps even out of the self you normally are.” 1
That really speaks to me! Sudden, unexpected, surprising little happenings. Wow. They do have a way of jolting me out of a rut. Can you identify too? When you recall memories what pops into your mind? Experiences–yours or those of other people? How God played a special role in your life? What causes you to wonder the most? Causes you to ponder?
“Driving yourself to return to wonder is one thing, doing it is another,” admits Gordon. “The trouble lies not in the lack of memories, but in the abundance of them. There are so many that the choice becomes difficult…In a way I think the more commonplace the happening the better. Then you have to work a bit to see the miraculous and let it come through. Perhaps what you have to do is add astonishment to ordinary cause-and-effect,” Gordon says. 2
We all have a legacy to leave by the way we’ve lived our lives. I happen to think we can enlarge that legacy by leaving a written account of some of our experiences.
Now what about writing your story—your autobiography? Why not pray and ask God to inspire you, show you what to tell, and help you use the best words to communicate clearly. Maybe even read someone else’s well written autobiography.
I suggest you write like you talk, expressing your own personality. Write so your reader can identify with you. While you need to share the exciting and unusual happenings, it’s okay to share the “ho-hum” times too. Short sentences and short paragraphs leave white space for the eyes of reader to rest. Also using dialog from time to time gives readers a feel for what happened.
Make time to write. On the Internet you can find articles on how to write an autobiography. Reading one may help you create an outline for yours.
You have had fascinating and challenging things happen that are worth sharing, no matter what your life’s course has been. Why don’t you become a storyteller and capture your events on paper? Starting now! Some of your relatives, friends and even strangers will be glad you did.
Have you ever considered the way stories are written in the Bible? For instance, the story of the Good Samaritan is very detailed. So is an account of four men who uncovered the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching to get their paralyzed friend to Him for his healing. I heard someone explain that the Holy Spirit wrote it by inspiring at least 40 men to record what God wanted said.
Ask God to anoint what you write and leave a legacy to the younger generation.
Scriptures:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this in the book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua.” (Exodus 17:14 AMP)
Then the servant told Isaac the whole story. (Genesis 24:66 TLB)
Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this (Rev. 1:19 NKJV)
Footnotes
1. Arthur Gordon, Return to Wonder, Nashville, TN., Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1996) 94.
2. Ibid,62.
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