The Power of Story
Listening as an Act of Mercy and Love
Reflection By Robbin Brent
Because we fail to listen to each other’s stories, we are becoming a fragmented human race.
- Madeleine L’Engle
I have always loved stories. The greatest legacy I hope to leave to my grandson is a love of story, of listening deeply to his, and of sharing my own with him. I like to think that when we are sharing stories, we are listening for the wonderful ways God is showing up in our lives through our hearts and through our imaginations.
From ancient times through the present moment, wise people have known that the power of story rests in its ability to carry messages directly to the heart. Important messages shared through stories of struggle, of divides seemingly too wide to bridge, of timeless wisdom, enduring love, hope, mystery, magic, and of mercy. Stories connect us to the common ground we share beneath any differences that threaten to divide us.
It is through our stories that we come to know and to name our deepest desires and longings, our gifts and our needs, how we want to move and be in the world. Stories can be where we discover and share underlying currents, events, and themes in a treasure hunt for spiritual breadcrumbs, where we witness for one another the ways God is always present and active in our lives.
Making It Personal: Who is God asking you to listen to right now as an expression of love? Do you find it easier to consider both sides of a situation when you are listening to a story well told? Have you used storytelling as a way to help others better understand you, your hopes and your fears, your struggles and your celebrations?
Follow along with us this Lent season with our daily devotional and engage in discussion in our closed facebook group moderated by Robbin Brent, Jan Kwiatowski, and Scott Stoner.
In this group, participants will have a chance to share their responses to the prompts in the daily readings, and also the chance to receive additional material for reflection.