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Through the Waters

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Through the Waters is the blog of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Christian vocation ministries. Because the ministry of Christian vocation affirms the need for all baptized Christians – including Presbyterians - to identify and claim their call to discipleship in each decision and life choice, this blog is designed to serve as a resource for youth and young adults, as well as those in ministry with them, to assist the Holy Spirit in God’s movement in this journey through the waters. Take some time to read and think about your own responses to the questions posed here. For additional resources, we suggest that you visit our website.

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April 15, 2011

Living as a Story Teller

Martha Miller

Easter Lily and Cross “Again! Again! Again!” Anyone who has had the opportunity to interact with a child for very long is, no doubt, all too familiar with this phrase. When I was young, this phrase was heard immediately following the reading of The Poky Little Puppy. I loved that book! Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very short one, so the adults in my world were stuck for evenings on end as it was read over and over.

Stories are powerful. They take us in and teach us aspects of emotions, worlds beyond our own, or neighborhoods just like ours. They introduce us to characters that are extremely different from our familiar or those to whom we can relate all too closely. Stories have the power to transform us.

And it isn’t just the published stories that have this ability. It’s also the stories that are a part of us; the stories of our lives, the experiences that help us grow, the encounters that we have with God and with each other. Stories can be holy.

After all, as Christians, we are story people! It is the great story that helps us to learn and claim whose we are and, eventually, who we are. Through the stories of faith we learn about our connections to creation and to our neighbors. We explore God’s plan and seek to find our place in God’s story. 

As we journey into Holy Week, we encounter the story that impacts us the most; the story that has changed our lives more than any other. So, take some time to listen to the story, to share the story, to live the story. It is one to which we can all certainly continue to say, “Again! Again! Again!”

Take some time to truly listen to the story of a neighbor. What are you hearing about how God is living through him or her? How does your own story resonate or connect?

Listen to the stories of Holy Week and Easter with new ears. What are these stories saying to you today? How might God be giving you new life this Easter season?