Tell me a fact and I will learn. Tell me a truth and I will believe. Tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. ~Old Indian Proverb.
We can ignore statistics. We can ignore the headlines and soundbites. But few of us can protect ourselves from the power of another’s story.
I was sixteen years old when I read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. The book traced the history of western expansion in the 19th century not from the point of view of the explorers and settlers, but through the eloquent, sorrow-filled words of the American Indians themselves. The tragic tales of broken promises, ruthless greed and brutality beyond belief left me stunned.
My father still wryly recalls my frustrated angst dominating our meal time discussion. Every school research paper took shape around the topic. I don’t think statistics or a cold recitation of facts could have wrenched my conscience as did the simple words of other human beings with dreams and longings like my own.
I have since read other books, and other life stories have pierced through my self-deceit, so I know: There is power in another person’s story to grab us, wake us, and even save us from ourselves.
Everyone has a story.
Whose do you need to hear? Is there someone near you silently asking you to take a second look?
But not everyone knows how to tell it.
Some of us are hidden even from ourselves. It may be your voice we need to tell the world our tale.
Whose story has shaken you or wakened you?
9 replies on “Another Story”
Janet, I have a stack of nine “to read” books on my living room reading table. They’re all delicious, like “Poetic Theology” or “The Mind of the Maker” or “Contemplative Vision.” What am I being led to read? “Godric” and “Gilead” and “Pillars of the Earth” and a fishing trip with the men of my church.
Stories.
Jesus got it. I wanna “get” it, too.
Your last “read” is the best of all!
Godric is a great read.
On my list, Kelly!
Janet, thanks for the post. My summer study is on the parables. With limited skills I am drawing them which slows me down to hear Jesus voice. Also intrigued by your statement that we may be hidden even to ourselves. Feeling the need to write, to connect my story to others.
Sue, what a rich idea to “draw” the parables. Thanks for sharing here!
Suerichy: I hope you will share this on Creative Transformation FB page…
I love your blogs Janet. They always make me think & remember.
Having shared my personal story with other people, watching how they have been helped, or at least encouraged by it, I undertand a stories power.
Your blog reminded me of my very early years of reading about Missionaries coming out West in Covered Wagons & fighting the Indians.
I still have a book titled Lucretia Ann on the Oregon Trail. I’ve cherished it over all these years. Copyright 1931 🙂 I would love to share it with you.
What a deep impression that book must have made on you. I would love to see it. Thanks, Cretia!