Telling Stories

I have had the privilege of spending time with my grandchildren.
Many end of the year school activities are happening.
Some, I am able to attend.
Others, allow me to help my daughter with some children while she attends things with others.

Going outside is always a wonderful thing to do with children.
Thankfully, all of my grandchildren love to be outside.
Reading books to them is this Grandma’s favorite thing to do.
However, something I decided to do on a whim has become something they request.

One day, I began.
We had already read books.
We had already been outside.
It would be another hour before their mommy got home.

Once upon a time, Princess _____…

And we were off.
I began a story that unfolded as I went along.
I would stop at key parts and simply say, and then…
I would point to my granddaughter for her to continue.

To watch her make up a story, in which she was the main character, was so wonderful.
We visited a total of ten kingdoms.
The princess soon became a mermaid who rode through the sea on a dolphin.
She added pirates to the story who hurt the dolphin with their swords.

Each kingdom we visited in the story, had something that could help the dolphin.
It might have been a special plant, or flower, or even seaweed that she collected.
Just when I thought the story might be resolving nicely, we entered another kingdom.
Just when I thought this kingdom would be the last, there was another problem to resolve.

Actually come to think of it, we left the mermaid helping the injured dolphin for another time.
We will have to resolve the problem and heal his injuries another day.
My granddaughter was so animated as she told the tale.
I loved seeing her tell the story in the third person, which somehow seemed safer.

This is now affectionately called: telling stories.
We are not telling false tales.
We are telling what-could-be tales.
We are telling tales filled with whatever their imagination can bring to the story.

Even my two-year-old grandson was involved on another day.
Once upon a time, Prince _______…
In his tale, he was the one brandishing the sword.
Clickety clack, I said more times than I could count.

The next time I was with him, he brandished an imaginary sword.
Clickety clack, Grandma. Clickety clack.
He was able to repeat back to me the tale we told.
He remembered parts that I had forgotten or thought somehow insignificant.

The power of a good story.

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed…
(Matthew 13:1-3ff)

Jesus knew the power of a good story.
Jesus spoke to the people in parables.
The word, parable, literally means, to throw down beside.
A parable is a story that uses one thing to explain something else.

Jesus told parables about the lost sheep, the lost son, and the lost coin. (Luke 15)
Jesus told parables about the wise and foolish builders. (Luke 12:42–48)
Jesus told parables about the mustard seed and the fig tree. (Luke 13)
Jesus knew the way a story hits the heart and explains truth.

Parables give the listener (or reader) an Aha moment.
Sometime later, after the story has been pondered, a person identifies with a character.
They are the lost sheep or the lost son.
They are the one in search of the lost coin or are the foolish builder.

There is one Story we must tell.
It has more power than all the stories combined.
We do not make it up as we go along.
We do not add to it or embellish it for emphasis.

It is the Gospel.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

All stories point to this Story.
The one great Story in which we need to be rescued.
We see the One who comes brandishing His Sword.
With one Word, He will fell His enemies.

Clickety clack.
There will be no more tears.
There will be no more sadness or sickness.
There will be no more death.

Go and tell.
People need to hear about the King who is coming back.
Once upon a time…
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

2 responses to “Telling Stories”

1. Beautifully said Gina. Reading is one of my favorites with the grandchildren but I think “their story” may really excite them. Thanks for the wonderful idea.
   Blessings friend!!

   Reply

   • You’re welcome, Jean. I think your gradchildren will love it. It will give you a window into their little imaginations, which is so wonderful.
     Blessings,
     Gina

     Reply