I was working in the basement the other day and ran across my copy of Dr. Seuss’s book My Book About Me By ME, Myself. I was probably in second or third grade when I received it. If you are unfamiliar with this riveting classic, the first page asks for your name and on the second, it says, “I don’t care if you like my name or not. That’s my name. It’s the only name I’ve got.”
The following pages allow you to describe yourself. I am a boy/girl. My teeth – I counted them; I have ___ up top. I have ___ downstairs. I do/don’t wear freckles. I think I have about ___ freckles. Then, you get to tell about your height, where you live, the type of house you live in, your favorite color, and a host of other questions. By the time it’s finished, you were able to write your story.
What does this have to do with anything? Today is National Write Your Story Day. “You may think to yourself, “There’s nothing in my life to tell.” It will surprise you once you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard and the words start filling the pages. Words have a way of triggering memories. They form a moment in time, and before you know it, there’s a story flowing from your fingertips. Even if you never share your tale, it can be an essence of who you are and where you’ve been.
“Trips down memory lane or recreating the moment when a spark of inspiration occurred, are more intriguing than you know. Today, they fill blogs, inspire novels and entire television series. More importantly, they are treasures to family and loved ones.
“The observance encourages us to start telling our personal stories today. There’s a story worth recounting in there somewhere!”1
I would encourage everyone to start writing their story. The day is going to come when your children and grandchildren are going to wonder all sorts of things about you and sadly, you may not be around to ask. I have all sorts of questions I would like to ask my parents and grandparents – even my great grandparents. There are many gaps in the family story and there’s no one to ask.
Maybe you think there is nothing to share. To help you get started, try to think of the questions your children and grandchildren might be curious about. My guess is that the stories will flow, and you will surprise yourself with a very large tome entitled My Book About Me By ME, Myself.
Lest you think this is being a bit self-centered or even narcissistic, let me remind you that the Bible is full of characters and their life story. They give us a hint about some of the most important things to include.
Paul was given the opportunity to speak to King Agrippa. Here is just a portion of what he had to say in Acts 26. “I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: (3) Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. (4) My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; (5) Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee… (9) I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (10) Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. (11) And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. (12) Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, (13) At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. (14) And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (15) And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. (16) But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; (17) Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, (18) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (19) Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: (20) But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. (21) For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. (22) Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: (23) That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”
Paul’s salvation testimony was the most important thing he could share. The same is true for us. While we want to share memories with our family, the greatest memory we can leave is that of our salvation and the fact that we lived that testimony.
Sharing our story as it pertains to our walk with God is a Biblical thing to do. As you write it down, remember the words of Asaph in Psalms 78:1-4. “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. (2) I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (3) Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. (4) We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-write-down-your-story-day-march-14
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