Plot Points

Story Telling - The ability to talk until you have something to say.
-Garrison Keillor

Have you ever been in the middle of telling a funny story when you suddenly realize that the story is not funny at all? In fact, it is downright stupid? Welcome to every day of my life.

I started this blog to be a starting point. It is just a plot point in a story that has been telling itself to me for many years. Since I started these short entries, I also began writing a book. So, allow me to rephrase my earlier question. Have you ever been writing a book when you suddenly realize that the story is not interesting at all? In fact, it is downright boring? Welcome to every day of my life.

All those things they say about how difficult it is to write a book are absolutely true. It is quite a lot of work. I always assumed that going into the process but I still couldn't imagine what the difficult part would be. Now I'm starting to piece some of it together.

My wife, Aly, once told me that she wished she had a better testimony. For Christians, your testimony is sort of an important thing. It is the story of how you came to follow Christ. Some people have these really elaborate stories about how they were lying in a gutter after a massive drug trip, then they heard God speak to them and dropped their needles cold turkey. Crazy stuff like that. Others can give you the exact date that they prayed a prayer and explain in detail how their life began to change from that moment on.

What troubled Aly was that she didn't feel like anyone would be interested in her story. That it was boring. This is the case for many Christians I meet who grew up in a Christian home or who were always involved with a church. They say that there is nothing to tell concerning their testimony.

I fall into this category. The story of how I got to know Jesus is fairly uneventful.

However, I would like to propose an idea that I stumbled upon. I have another friend who told me the same thing. He said that his story was just not that interesting. But every time we get together I've learned to start asking him questions and encouraging him to speak. I started because I find his stories to be absolutely fascinating. Each time we talk he has something interesting and thought provoking to share. Let me give you an example:

A few weeks ago, we were at this cigar thing that a few of my friends and I host once a month. It's a time for guys to hang out and get to know each other better. It's really not a big thing, but with every event we put together, it seems that something unique happens. Usually it's around one or two in the morning after most of the crowd has left. That's when things get interesting.

At our last event, there were seven of us left when one guy shared his own story with us. He was really struggling with some stuff and wanted our opinion. I spoke a lot, as I tend to do, and a few other guys contributed as well. Then my friend, the one with the boring story, he decided to chime in. He had the most amazing things to say. It was so personal and yet universally practical at the same time. What he said was very meaningful and I can honestly say it spoke to all of us and not just our troubled friend.

So, here is what I've learned. Your story matters. Even if you think that you have nothing of value to add to the conversation. Our stories shape who we are. There are always others who are on the same journey but just have not  reached to the same point as you. You may not have done anything really exciting in your life, but that does not mean that you haven't learned anything along the way. And it certainly doesn't mean that people are not interested.

Though it has been a challenge, my book is coming along just fine. It is a memoir of sorts so it deals with my own story. The problem I have is that I often question whether or not anyone cares what I have to say. It just doesn't seem like there is enough excitement. So I guess I'm writing this blog for me as much as for you. Thanks for reading and thanks for listening to my stories.

Note - I've included some of the pictures I've been editing from my backyard. This is where I get to do most of my writing.