Let’s Share Our Stories
Right off, please let me thank you for reading my blog and my many stories. I am a deep well and there’s plenty in me to talk about. But today, it isn’t my story. It is the story I read on social media a couple of days ago that urges me to ask you to speak up and share YOUR story!
The title captured my attention: “’Miracle’ Uber ride in South Jersey leads to driver donating kidney to passenger”
Bill Sumiel needed a kidney, and he also needed a ride. Christiana Hospital arranged for an appointment at a dialysis center and sent an Uber driver to pick Sumiel up. When Uber driver Tim Letts arrived, the two instantly struck up a conversation.
“On the car ride I tell him of my dilemma,” says Sumiel. “About halfway home after talking the whole way, Tim tells me that ‘I think God must have put you in my car.'” Letts, a 33-year-old Army veteran, then offered Sumiel his kidney.
“He says, ‘If you’ll take my name and number, I’ll give a kidney to you,” Sumiel recalls. The match was successful and the operation at Christiana Hospital was a success. The two have become lifelong friends all over a miracle car ride when Sumiel needed it the most. And, all over Sumiel sharing his story.
Sumiel continues his rehab twice a week and just passed the one-year anniversary of his kidney replacement surgery. “I know miracles have happened in the past. But now I really have those beliefs reinforced.”
I have little time to scroll through random stories, but when I do, I often get a bright idea for my next blog. This one inspired me. A story of need; a story of selflessness; a story of hope. Even though my readers may yawn at yet another one of my stories, I know they might remember one and pass it on to someone who needs it. And, that story may change someone’s life!
Never has the power of “stories” been more apparent to me than today. It reminds me of why I defend people sharing their lives on social media, even if it means we’re taking selfies all the time. When someone is photographing or videoing their lives, it’s not usually because they’re vain or addicted to their phone. It’s because they have a story to tell, and they want someone to hear it.
Tell those stories, dear friends! Let those youngsters know about the miracles you’ve witnessed. Tell them the “what was” and “what is now” when you landed that interview or received that diagnosis. Tell us how you came to know Jesus. Tell us how He made a difference in your life. Tell us how you nearly gave up — but God.
And, if you still have your parents around, ask them questions. Ask them to tell you their love story. Ask them about how they managed to make it during their toughest times.
My children don’t have to ask me because I’ve been generous with sharing our story. I talk a lot about my precious husband — on purpose. My two youngest grands wouldn’t typically remember too much about him, but they do because we keep Papa in the present in our conversations and with photos.
I’m giving you a heads-up. Don’t take chances that you’ll have your loved ones with you forever or that YOU will be on this side of heaven forever! Ask them about their lives. I mean REALLY delve into WHO they were and what their memories were all about. And you, start telling YOUR story. I promise you – you will be so glad you did — if not today — someday, when you wish you had!