Telling Our Stories

In my home office I have several clay figurines of a seated woman (or bear-like creature) with many smaller childlike figures attached to her lap and legs. She has her mouth open in a circular shape to show that she is speaking.

The first storyteller dolls were called “singing mothers” but soon the storytellers were created as men and women. The seated figure always has an open mouth. The small figures all over her are the listeners enthralled by her words, attentively honoring the teller and the tale she tells. The sculpture is intimate and conveys warmth and acceptance and the artists of storyteller dolls give shape to the sentiment that our stories are important parts of each of us.

Until recently I worked in an urban church and had the opportunity to answer the door when strangers were looking for help. One of the important parts of getting to know the people in a short amount of time was, of course, hearing their story. Even if some of what they told me was not completely true, I am convinced that the ways in which they unraveled their need to me was important to them and many truths were revealed in the telling. For people who have only what is on their backs, the stories they tell are precious possessions indeed. Many times I could not help them except to give them the dignity of listening to their story.

Each of us comes with our own story - looking for a place to tell it. I am convinced that is why many of us seek out faith communities. For those of us without such a community, we search for other places to tell our stories and to hear the stories of others. In this era where more and more people are attending “church” less and less, alternative communities rise up to take the place of some of the functions of the church of old….social networking sites, blogging, coffee shops, book discussion groups in libraries and bookstores, mastermind groups, therapy groups, self help groups……      No matter the venue, as the stories are told, they become part of the larger story of those in the group. In making places for all to tell their stories, we create community and connection.

Great Spirit that speaks in words and in wonder,

we all are searching for places to belong.

We know that the world is lonely

when we have no one to listen to the yearnings of our souls.

May we open our hearts and ears

to the stories of those traveling on the great road of life with us.

Give us ears of patience and welcome as listeners

that we may be treated with hospitality when it is our turn to speak.

As we welcome the words of others and share what is in our hearts

may we remember that we are creating a story that will change the world.