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Important Questions for Storytelling

Important Questions for Storytelling

by | Oct 1, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories

Photo/CCWC09

Several years ago, in a workshop for Christian Leaders and Speakers (CLASS), Christian communicator and author, Florence Littauer, taught us to ask ourselves two questions before standing in front of an audience to speak.

  • Do I have anything to say?
  • Do people need to hear it?

So, I ask myself that question every time as I prepare to stand before an audience—whether it’s a group of writers, a church group, or class of college students.

As a writer and a writing instructor, I recognize the need for people to tell their stories. And I’ve seen lives change as they listen to other people share their life lessons, especially their faith stories. Passing along our faith and family stories also help us make sense of some of the crucial issues that we face in life.

As a women’s Bible study teacher, I know the importance of sharing personal stories with other women, particularly in a mentoring or discipleship relationship.

But as a mother and grandmother, I also know the importance of sharing my stories with my children and grandchildren. My stories are my legacy to the next generation.

I believe in the power of story! And I love to encourage and instruct other people how to communicate their faith and family stories.

So, I want to ask you those same questions  that Florence ask us at one of my first CLASSeminars.

Do YOU have anything to say? And do people need to hear it?

Photo/KarenJordan with Florence Littauer

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Kathryn Graves: One Day at a Time

Kathryn Graves: One Day at a Time

by | Sep 21, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories

Thank you to Kathryn Graves for the post today. 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34 NKJV). 

Don’t worry about tomorrow. In real life, how does that work? I just made a grocery list in order to prepare meals for the next several days. I need to get some writing projects finished because of deadlines coming up. I have a “to do” list longer than today.

We’re preparing for our son’s wedding in a couple of months. I have just passed the one-year cancer-free check-up, but the risk of recurrence for my type of cancer is greatest in the first two years. I have one more year to go. What if  …? My husband is working too many hours every day, six or seven days a week. What if  …? We will retire in a few years, but don’t have much money saved up ….

I could write pages of “what if” questions. They range from minutiae to great life drama. I could focus on any one, or all, of them and make myself sick. We know that stress either causes or exacerbates many illnesses and physical “conditions.” If the past few days were a test for me in this area, I failed with a capital “F.”

I’m the person people say they look up to because of the positive attitude I seemed to have throughout my cancer. Because I love to help others grow in their spiritual walk and because of the Bible knowledge I’ve gained. But there are times when I am a walking, talking disaster.

None of us ever becomes so mature that we don’t need to remember Who is in charge. The Lord is wise, and His words are soothing to us when we have allowed our thoughts to run ahead. He gently reigns us in, back under His wings where He can take care of us.

How does it work in real life? Choosing not to focus on the “what ifs.” Choosing to meditate on verses like this throughout the day. Choosing to trust God instead of the newspaper headlines. Remembering to close my mouth instead of blithering about my worries. We paraphrase this verse when we say, “Just take one day at a time.” God said it first, and it’s still true today.

Photo/KathrynGravesKathryn Graves has found that genuine beauty comes only from the Creator living within and seeks to lead women and girls to the Source of that beauty. Kathryn writes devotions, Bible studies, and life stories. Kathryn has a B.A. in psychology, is a CLASS graduate, and a pastor’s wife. Kathryn also writes at kathryngraves.com.

How do you deal with the “what ifs” in your life? Be sure to leave a comment below–I’d love to hear from you!

One Little Word

One Little Word

by | Sep 10, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories

” … Words are powerful; take them seriously …” (Matt. 12:36 MSG).

I noticed a big typo within a comment that I had posted on a friend’s blog. Instead of the word “power,” I had typed “poser.”

A minor mistake? Not for a writer! And especially not in this case!

My tiny error distorted the entire significance of this scripture. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7 NIV).

One little word shifted my focus and the potential attention of my readers. All I could see was my mistake. I lost sight of the message and power of God’s Word. And my readers may have missed the entire point of my comment.

Photo/KarenJordanHow many times do we let one little word spoil things for us? We speak a single word of profanity in the heat of an argument. Or we whisper a little white lie as we try to cover up a mistake.

We often regret the unexpected consequences that result from our words. One negative comment or careless thought voiced in frustration or anger can blind us from seeing God’s blessings in a situation.

As a writer, I cringe when I discover one insignificant word choice that turns a powerful point into a grammatical disaster. And I wince when I read an offensive term that will repel an audience of would-be readers.

As a writing instructor, I notice many writers resisting the editing process. They focus on the goal of finishing their writing task, instead of fine-tuning their grammar and mechanics. They get offended if anyone calls attention to one tiny mistake or unclear point, or someone suggests meaningful change. Then, they get angry or depressed when they receive a lower grade for their work, or the piece is rejected for publication.

As a Christian, I’ve also experienced the power of God’s Word. One word of encouragement can pull me out of the deepest pit of despair. A single promise from God’s Word can offer hope to me, when my circumstances seem overwhelming. My simple confession of faith can produce peace in my heart and mind “which exceeds anything (I) can understand.” (Phil. 4:7 NLT).

So, does one little word matter? God’s Word answers this question. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Photos/KarenJordan

Have you experienced the power of one little word? 

Tara Ross: Listening To Their Hearts

Tara Ross: Listening To Their Hearts

by | Sep 7, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories

Happy birthday, Tara! I hope you enjoy this great guest post by my daughter, Tara Ross. I wanted to offer this birthday tribute to my daughter Tara, a hard-working, stay-at-home mom with five children. Tara wrote this inspiring article last year, but she’s faced many changes in her life since then. Of course, her kids are all one year older, and she’s also recently moved from Central Arkansas back to her Texas roots. But you can still find Tara online writing her humorous antics about her kids on Facebook. Plus, we’re working on a book together that I hope to be telling you about soon. Right now, I hope you will enjoy her story, “Listening To Their Hearts.”

BookCover/Parenting is Heart WorkWhen I found out that Bloom at my church would be studying the book, Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller last spring, I immediately ordered it online because parenting has been hard work for me, and I need all the help I can get!

Photo/TararossI have five very different children in five different stages of development, all with different abilities, struggles, and very different personalities.

Anyway, I tend to have a few things on my mind at any given moment, and here are just a few of them.  

I want to know why Ben, who is 11 months old, gives death pinches to whoever is holding him, which is usually me (and I have the bruises to prove it). Why does he do that?

I want to know why Julia, 3½ , wakes up in a mood that occasionally evolves into a full-blown, hysterical fit that can make the dog howl, over something as simple as wanting me to lift the toilet seat for her–which I totally don’t mind doing, IF I can understand what she is screaming at me!

I want to know why Ethan, who is almost 7, just last week, knocked over a lamp with a soccer ball, taught his sister how to jump from the coffee table to the couch, and put a hole through our window playing catch in the front yard. I have to admit, though, that I couldn’t be mad, when I saw his face streaming with tears.

I want to know why Aidan, 8½, doesn’t want to pray or talk about God, or talk about anything that he’s not already an expert on–like legos, or kickball, or history’s mysteries, or something random, just for shock value, that involves a toilet, a captive grasshopper, or perhaps the water balloon hidden in his pocket.

I want to know why Miles, a college freshman, is making these huge decisions for his life, and I have absolutely no control over his future. And why didn’t I know then what I know now, so I could’ve been a better mom … and it went by so fast … and now he’s ALL … GROWN … UP.

God has been giving me little windows into each of their hearts. So when I find myself worrying about them, I can almost hear their voices saying …

Photo/TaraRossBen: “Please forgive me, Mommy. I have no idea my pinches hurt. I just like the way your skin feels between my fingers, and it makes me feel secure.” 

Photo/TaraRoss

Julia: “Please be patient with me, Mama. I am female. I don’t know why I feel so grumpy sometimes. I’m probably just hungry, tired, or just need you to be gentle with me and hold me for a minute.”

Photo/TaraRoss

Ethan: “Please try to understand me, Mom. I’m a BOY. I’ve got all this energy, and sometimes I don’t even know my own strength.  I’m strong, and I’m tough. But please be careful with your words, your tone of voice, and the way you look at me, because I have a tender heart.”

Photo/TaraRoss

Aidan: “Please keep pursuing me, Mom. I know lots of things, and I like to tell you about them. But I get uncomfortable when you want me to talk about things I don’t really understand, like my relationship with God. I might change the subject, or I might act silly, impatient, or bored. But don’t give up. Keep asking me questions and really listen to what I say. God wants you to teach me about Him, even if I think I already know everything.”

Photo/TaraRoss

Miles: “Mom, please pray for me. I am legally an adult, but you’ll always be my mom. I need you in a different way now. I need you to give me space to grow. But to be ready to listen to me, when I need to talk. I need you to encourage me. Most of all, I need you to pray for me. My story isn’t over yet, I just started a new chapter.”

So, what is God doing in my life to make me “Bloom”? He’s giving me discernment, as I need it, to see beyond my children’s actions and into their hearts.

Photo/KarenJordan

Tara Jordan Ross holds a masters in gifted education and degrees in early childhood and special education. She lives in Texarkana, Texas, with her husband Jonathan; they have five children. Tara was a special education teacher for several years before deciding to stay home with her children. Besides managing a busy household, she enjoys writing about her experiences as a mother and teacher.

FeaturePhoto/BioPhoto/KarenJordan
BookCover/Parenting is Heart Work
KidsPhotos/TaraRoss

What is God doing in YOUR life to make you “Bloom”? 

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Mary May Larmoyeux: Sweet Memories

Mary May Larmoyeux: Sweet Memories

by | Aug 31, 2012 | Blog, Family

A special thanks to Mary Larmoyeux for sharing this guest post with us today.

BookCover/HelpForBusyMomsI had difficulty delivering both of my sons. My husband and I recognized from the beginning that their lives were truly God’s gifts to us. We have enjoyed watching them mature and have cherished countless memories over the years.

As a new mom, I vividly recall older mothers telling me how quickly the boys would grow up. I knew that they were right, but somehow in the midst of changing diapers and rocking babies, that “someday” seemed far, far away. Now, I am that older mother looking back in awe, wondering where the time went.

Friends of mine, Mike and Kaye Rutter, expressed this so well when Mike said that “The years do fly by so quickly, its just those days that seem to never end when you have little children.”
As I share a few tangible ways that we have made lasting family memories, remember that I am a mom with clay feet who has not done it all correctly. There are stacks and stacks of pictures that still need to be placed neatly in scrapbooks. And if something needed to be sewn, the kids usually outgrew whatever needed mending by the time I got to it. And believe me, I will never be given the House Beautiful Award as long as there are children living in our home.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” As a busy mom, I know that your plate is certainly full. But let me encourage you to take the time to make family memories. Dust can wait, but our sons’ and daughters’ childhoods cannot be recaptured.

SPECIAL MEMORIES TODAY

Our boys always loved to make forts. Some were made by draping a sheet or blanket over chairs. Others were constructed with boards and tree limbs. Forts were built in trees, under the house, and in the backyard.

The kids and I have made many things in the kitchen besides cookies and cakes. A favorite recipe was one for something similar to play dough.

Photo/MaryLarmoyeux1 cup flour
½ cup salt
1 cup water
1 tablespoon cooking oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Food coloring

  • Mix all dry ingredients.
  • Add oil, water, and food coloring.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly.
  • Cook until dough becomes one large ball.
  • Empty onto waxed paper.
  • Knead until smooth and cool.
  • Store in an airtight immediately.

And the kids always liked rainbow toast.

  • Put a teaspoon of milk into three cups.
  • Add a drop of food color in each.
  • Dip a small brush into each of the milk colors.
  • Paint a rainbow on a piece of white bread.
  • Toast the bread, then butter—you have rainbow toast!

Adapted from Help for Busy Moms: Purposeful Living to Simplify Life by Mary May Larmoyeux.

Photo/MaryLarmoyeuxMary May Larmoyeux and her husband, Jim, live near Little Rock, Arkansas. Family is very important to her—just ask about her six grandchildren. She also loves anything to do with the great outdoors. Her articles have published in The Family Room, Discovery Years, Fresh Outlook, Maumelle Living, AY Magazine, etc.. She has a blog for grandparents, The Grand Connection, and also is a regular blogger for The Marketplace Connection. Mary has written several books including Help for Busy Moms: Purposeful Living to Simplify Life and The Grand Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild’s Heart.