The generosity of storytelling

the generosity of story telling

When stories connect us

Two years ago I was headed into the most arduous work of my life. I was writing a book, not only telling my own story, but hoping to do so in a way that would invite, encourage, and inspire others to face theirs in order to find healing and hope. My book was to be about miscarriage, exploring themes of faith and suffering, doubt and incarnation, grief and healing and hope. Not the lightest of subjects, but the truest for my life at the time.

Although not the arc of my entire life’s story, the last several years of my life have been marked by the hushed heartache of recurrent miscarriages—my introduction to the type of grief that sweeps you off your feet and knocks the wind out of you. In those early days of mourning, writing became my lifeline and my prayer. It’s how I let the pain in and how I let it out. It’s how I prayed. It’s how I reached out for help. It’s how I healed.

The first time I shared my story online I was inundated with “me too” stories. It seemed a groundswell of women around me carried similar stories of heartache and loss. Their tenderness and solidarity helped me to see that although in a season of intense loneliness, I was far from alone.

Stories became my connecting point to a world bigger than myself. They also became my connecting point to a smaller world—the world within.

If you grew up in church like I did you’ve probably heard the verse from Revelation 12:11 (what feels like) one million times: “They overcame with the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.” It’s so familiar it feels almost insignificant—an unfortunate casualty of knowledge elbowing out transformative revelation. I used to think of this verse only in terms of “salvation stories” because whenever I heard the term testimony used in church settings it was always about how someone decided to follow Jesus. These “conversion” stories are powerful, yes, but most people only have one of them.

And yet our lives are made up of stories—stories interwoven with stories interwoven with still more stories. And the power of those stories has no end.

Permission to tell our stories

When I began sharing my own stories of heartache and hope amidst miscarriage I saw with stunning volume how much power my stories actually had. It was as if sharing my stories gave people permission to share theirs.

Of course we don’t need permission to share our stories, but it can feel that way, can’t it? We often deny the power of our own stories because we’re measuring them up against someone else’s. Ours aren’t as significant or traumatic or spectacular. Ours aren’t as beautiful or tragic, as polished or as miraculous. Ours are regular—familiar because they’re ours.

But what if you and I began to realize how much power to overcome and heal and birth life rests within the sharing of our stories?

In the early days of writing my book I posted a survey on facebook, hoping to get responses from at least one hundred women and men. I had to take the survey down before the day was over because I had already received 750+ responses and had no idea how I would comb through them all.

To be honest the results of the survey didn’t surprise me. I had been listening to (and reading) stories of peoples’ experiences with miscarriage and loss for several years already and the survey only reinforced the major themes I already knew I needed to write into. So I guess in that way, it didn’t do much to “help” me write the book. But here’s what surprised me: The number of people who thanked me for the survey. Over and over again participants said variations of, “Thank you for this survey—it felt good to remember.” Or “Thank you for helping me to share my story—this was so therapeutic.”

And what I realized was that even when people don’t consciously articulate it, somewhere under the surface they just want to be known. They want their story heard. They want to be given voice and to know their experience matters. Some people need more of a nudge than others to help them to share. Some need a framework to help them know where or how to start. Some tell stories naturally and readily. Some don’t. But we all just want to be known. We want to know our stories matter.

The power of story

Sharing our stories heals us and heals others. Our stories free us and free others. Our stories help give language to the ones yet to be told. Our stories require vulnerability but they also produce vulnerability—they give way for others to let their own stories rise.

And this is my encouragement to you, dear one: Let your story be known. It is neither small nor insignificant. It is not too much or not enough. It is not boring. It is not benign.

Your story holds the power to heal. Your story holds the power to declare God’s goodness if you’ll let it. Your story has the power to help others overcome shame, fear, anxiety, doubt, bias, unforgiveness, self-doubt, and all sorts of personal heartache and struggles.

Take courage, dear heart. Telling your story is always worth it. So go there. Don’t be afraid. Don’t hold back. Speak. Write. Give.

Your story matters. Will you be generous with it?

“Be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God.” —Jesus (from Matthew 5:16, The Message)

 


 

Please note: As a gift to those of you impacted by the heartbreak of miscarriage or other types of pregnancy loss, I’ve created an ebook I’d like to offer you at no cost: Journaling Our Scarlett Stories: Prompts to Process Grief after Pregnancy Loss. These prompts are designed to help you journal through your grief as well as to help you tell your story. (Whether you write your story for your eyes only or to share it with others is entirely up to you.)

Journal Prompts after Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss to Process Your Grief

 

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The Generosity of Storytelling - How Stories Change You and Others - Adriel Booker

Featured image by Remi Yuan on Unsplash

About Author

Adriel Booker is an author, speaker, and advocate based in Sydney, Australia who believes storytelling, beauty, and the grace of God will change the world. Adriel has become a trusted voice in areas of motherhood and parenting, Christian spirituality, and global women's issues. She's also known for her work with the Love A Mama Collective—serving under-resourced women in developing nations through safe birth initiatives—as well as her years spent as a Bible teacher and leadership coach. Her latest book is Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss and she's made the companion grief journal available for free. Find Adriel across all social media platforms at @adrielbooker or sign up for LoveNotes, Adriel's 'secret posts' that aren't published anywhere else online. ✌️

5 Comments

  • Kate Motaung
    6 August 2018 at 10:39 pm

    Thank you for this, Adriel! I’ve been traveling around South Africa over the past few months sharing a very similar message. Grateful to read this affirmation from your beautiful perspective that yes, telling our stories for God’s glory does matter, and it does make a difference. Every blessing to you as you continue to steward yours well.

    Reply
    • Adriel Booker
      17 August 2018 at 4:42 pm

      How wonderful Kate! So thankful you’re encouraging people to tell their stories. I think it’s such a powerful way to “pay it forward” and I love that no one needs any qualification or resource to do it. Everyone gets to give and receive.

      Do you live in South Africa? I hadn’t realized! Someday I sure would love to visit Cape Town!!!! (Yup, four exclamation marks!)

      Reply
    • Todd
      17 June 2022 at 7:11 am

      Hi Kate, I’d love to hear more about your ministry and the work you are doing in this area.

      Reply
  • Kate Motaung
    8 August 2018 at 3:38 am

    LOVE this post, Adriel! So true. I’ve been sharing a very similar message as I’ve been speaking around South Africa these past few months. Such an affirmation to read it in your words and remember that God really can use our offerings when we seek to share our stories for His glory. Keep up the great work in His strength!

    Reply
  • Todd
    17 June 2022 at 7:08 am

    Hi Adriel, thank you for writing on the topic of the generosity of storytelling. It is important and rarely discussed by leaders. I once heard “good leaders lead people where they want to go, great leaders, lead people where they need to go.” We would all do well to be more generous with our stories. I hope to connect with you and further explore your ministry.

    Todd
    StepsofCourage.com
    315Project.com

    Reply

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