I can’t believe it’s Friday again, can you? It’s amazing to me how the week just flies by lately. Since it is Friday, that means it is time for 5 Minute Friday. For those who don’t know, Five Minute Fridays are where women from all over the globe (literally!) write about one word for five minutes – no editing, no agonizing – just write and hit that publish button. If you want to read more, visit HERE.
The word this Friday is COLLECT
What do you collect? I collect stories. It doesn’t matter if they are stories in books or stories of real people. I guess that’s why I chose to major in journalism in college. It was that idea of collecting my own stories, that led me to start a blog in the first. place (back on blogspot). I went back and looked, and I published my very first post on Jan. 17, 2009. That was over 8 years ago!!! So, I’ve been collecting my stories for a really long time!
I started my blog as a way to share what God was teaching me, how He was moving in my life, and to remember the answers to prayer and His blessings. If I went back and read all of my blog posts, I’m sure I’d see this mosaic of God’s goodness and grace in the midst of the everyday mundane and the harder stuff, too.
The truth is, I’ve always been fascinated by people’s stories, and I guess that’s obvious because I can’t tell you how many times complete strangers have shared their stories with me. For instance, there was that time in a coffee shop where I was reading a book. Somebody I didn’t know came up and shared they had just started a band with several other people who suffered from serious mental illness like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
I find people and why they do what they do, to be infinitely fascinating. Looking back, this love of collecting stories isn’t all that unusual. Whenever I go out with my parents, they know the people who work in the restaurants they frequent. They ask about those people’s stories. I’m always a little surprised what people share with them (and me!)
In a culture that seems to isolate people more and more, I think people are desperate to share their stories, to be heard, even if the person listening is a complete stranger.
I collect stories and God has used that to help me really see people.
What do you collect?
Blessings, Rosanne
I love the title and the look of your blog. It is encouraging and draws the reader into your words. I too, am fascinated by other people’s stories, why’s, and motivations. I believe collecting them to be a great work.
Thank you so much, Kelli, for your sweet words! I’m glad I’m not the only one who is nosey, er, I mean interested about people and their individual stories! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by.
Every story is unique and deserves to be acknowledged, even if it’s in a journal or blog or book. Keep writing!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Stephanie! Yes, everyone has a story, and I think the everyday people around us are probably sitting on a goldmine! Thanks for joining the conversation. 🙂