Our Give-Away for Today!
Same Life, New Story
Move from what is to what can be by changing how you think and talk to yourself.Using powerful character studies of ten women from Scripture, as well as modern-day stories from her work as a professional life coach, Bible teacher Jan Silvious helps women choose new stories instead of dumping, or wallowing in, their old lives.
Naomi, Leah, Rahab, Deborah, Hannah, Anna, Jehosheba, Abigail, Naaman's servant girl, and Elizabeth round out the cast of characters who, with their own stories, help readers find new perspectives with amazing results.
Chapters include:
- Realize it's time
- Don't be held hostage by the past
- Ask yourself good questions
- Change your "I can't" to "I can"
- Delete the drama of the day
- Forget the "What might have beens"
- Discover the power of wisdom and courage
- Get past the resistance of fear
- Choose to bounce back
- The last chapter has not been written yet
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(Can't view image? Click here to download 1 Corinthians 13:6!)
But what is “the truth”?
Not “The Truth.”
Just “the truth” in our everyday ordinaries.
Can you find “the truth,” for example, in the following "Tale of 3 Thunderstorms"?
My Thunderstorm
I’ve stayed up too late. (Again!) As I finally drift off to sleep…
BOOM!
A peal of thunder jolts me awake.
Sure, the weather channel predicted this. But really? At midnight? Come on! It’s the last month of school.
I. need. my. sleep.
BOOM!
Another crash, right above our house. The wind rattles our windows. Lightening flashes over and over.
In a few minutes, the storm dies down, reduced to the comforting sound of falling rain. I start to drift off again.
BOOM!
Not again?
BOOM!
Yes, again.
For what feels like hours, two storm fronts battle it out over our house. The noise dies does just long enough for me to start falling asleep before...
BOOM!
I’m awakened again, adrenaline pumping.
It is a Very. Bad. Night.
Maria’s Thunderstorm
I drag my carcass out of bed with the 5:30 AM alarm (a.k.a. Three cats who want the garage door open now. The same three cats who will soon dash back in, dripping wet and furious that we “threw them out in the rain”!)
I check Facebook and notice that my neighbor Maria has posted about last night’s thunderstorm.
“Last night’s thunder and lightning storm was amazing. My son and I drove out to the bluff to see the lightning bolts. What a beautiful light show!”
Amazing? Beautiful light show?
What is she talking about? All that lightening kept me from sleeping! I could see it with my eyes closed!
Someone asked, “Weren’t you scared?” to which she replied
“Oh yeah. I was scared. That was part of the excitement! We even drove to Manresa for a better view. The grand finale was amazing!”
Excitement?
Grand finale?
Amazing?
Clearly I won’t be going to Maria for sympathy today!
Erik’s Thunderstorm
Instead, I turn to my English II students. Certainly they lost sleep to this awful storm! Certainly they will commiserate with me!
“So,” I bait them, “did anyone lose some precious sleep last night?”
A chorus of complaints assures me I’ve turned to the right peeps for support. (Misery sure does love company!)
We all talk at once, gesturing animatedly to emphasize the loudness of the thunder, the brightness of the lightening, and the repeated adrenaline overloads to which we were subjected all night long.
Then Erik, who has not joined the conversation, raises his hand.
“You know, Mrs. G,” he says, fingering his hearing aid, “some people would give anything to hear a thunderstorm at night.”
3 Tales of 1 Thunderstorm
What is “the truth” about this thunderstorm?
That it caused a Very. Bad. Night?
That’s one perspective.
That it gave a dazzling light show?
That’s a different perspective.
That it served as a reminder to be thankful?
That’s yet another perspective.
What is “the truth”?
The Story I Tell Myself
Perspective defines "the truth."
When I am judgmental, I see only one perspective: mine. My “truth” is limited to the one story I am telling myself:
The thunderstorm caused a Very. Bad. Night. End of story.
When I am curious, I am open to multiple perspectives. My “truth” expands, allowing for greater creativity:
Next thunderstorm, maybe Maria can pick up me.
(Hey, if I’m gonna miss sleep, I’d rather tell cool stories about lightening than whine about lost sleep!)
And maybe we can swing by Erik’s house so he doesn’t miss out on all the excitement this time.
What is “the truth”?
The stories that prompt rejoicing come closest to “the truth.”
And bring us closer to The Truth.
Try This Today: Against the “better” judgment of my perfectionistic tendencies, I invite you to watch this short video I made last year, illustrating in more detail what I mean by “the story I tell myself.”
(Can’t view the embedded video? Click the link go directly to “The Stories I Tell Myself”)
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Please leave a comment
- responding to today’s blog, and/or
- sharing your Day #1-17 experience of replacing “baditude” with God’s word and gratitude, and/or
- about anything else on your heart!
The McD's -- you're the winner of Day 6!
Tara -- you're the winner of Day 10!
e-mail me at cheri@cherigregory.com w/your mailing address!
All other winners Days 1-11 have been notified & prizes sent.
Winners for Days 12-16 will be drawn and notified Friday!
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(Catch up on any "Warm-Up Week" Blog Posts!)
