The Gift We Give to Others

When Sharing Our "STORY"

by Sue Graber

This past week has been a real reminder to me of how God gives us the opportunity to share "our story" in order to reach out and encourage someone else. 

I believe God places people in our lives when we need them most.  I do not believe it was a coincidence yesterday where I attended a baby shower and met a new friend (who just happened to have gone through breast cancer recently).

Very early in the conversation, I truly "knew" that God had placed this individual in my life for me to encourage, and at the same time He was reminding me how the challenges of our lives become an experience that will lift someone else up.  There was an instant connection that I know in my heart was a gift from above.

Not only was I able to encourage this new friend, but she was able to "see" something in my life where I needed some support and encouragement, acknowledged that and thus blessed me as well.   I am so grateful and amazed at how God brings people in our lives at just the right time — how he allows us to share our story if we are willing!

It wasn't just about sharing a breast cancer diagnosis – but something much deeper than that — it was the matter of sharing a faith that sustained us through a very tough time.  It was the gift of sharing the emotions and being transparent.

It was realizing that each day we can make a difference in someone's life if we are willing to share our experiences – our story, and then to have empathy – to show compassion for others that is a reflection of our faith and love for Jesus.

Let's face it – we all have challenges in our lives and at times a burden on our hearts;  having a support system to help us through these times is nothing short of a blessing.   Some days, you will be the blessing to help someone through a tough day, and other times, God places someone in your life to bless you!

The question is:  Are you willing to share your story?  and… Are you willing to acknowledge the pain of others, to reach out to encourage and support someone who needs to tell you their story?

Earlier in the week, I attended  a Breast Cancer Symposium in my city where I was able to spend the whole day (a luxury) with a friend who helped me through a tough time in my life, having had gone through the same diagnosis a year prior to me.  God had placed her in my life at a time when I needed someone who understood what I was going through and offered emotional support. 

He then blessed me with a brand new friend during my treatment process – someone to "instant message" in the middle of the night when we were having side effects from our chemo – someone who truly could relate to any emotion whether it was fear, loneliness, anxiety as well as gratefulness!  

A highlight of the Symposium was listening to a panel of two very young women who heard the same scary words: "You have breast cancer" during child-bearing years; one at the age of 24 while being pregnant; the other, just a day after her 2nd miscarriage.  Both of these young women were willing to share their stories to be an encouragement to others.

The last speaker of the day provided some real time laughter, reminding us all that there can be "joy" in the middle of the tough times if we reach down into that place and find gratitude in the midst of our tough times.

Each one of these people I had the pleasure of being around this week were a reminder that God places people along our path to help us through the tough times.  Each one of them in sharing their story,  reminded me of the "gratefulness" within them that helped them  through a very tough time!

What STORY is on your heart that someone needs to hear?   It may be a financial struggle, divorce, relationship issue; whatever it is,  if we're honest, we will admit that we carry a burden that is heavy if we carry it alone.   I'd love to remind you that there is Someone who cares for every burden you are carrying –  God will never forsake you, and He will not only provide an encourager for you, but He will help you be that special friend to someone who needs you in their life, if you are willing.

Stop over and say Hi on my Facebook page; feel free to Private Message me if there's something on your heart that is a burden that you need to share with a friend.  

Sue Graber is happily married with 3 grown children & 2 grandchildren who keep her focused on her priorities in life.  She loves helping people realize the importance of relationships both personally and professionally .  She loves sharing  Social Media tips to  build and  nurture relationships and also provides a solution using a  simple tool  to keep those relationships intact.

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