The Title of Your Story

If you were to give your life's story a title what would you call it?

It would be difficult to narrow your life down to just one title wouldn't it? For me, it would be easier to have a title for every chapter or season in my life. For example "The season that taught me strength through despair" when my son passed away, or how about "Witnessing the fruit of the Spirit through a child's eyes" which would consist of witnessing my Grandma Bradford's gentleness, goodness, kindness, patience, love, her joyous and peaceful demeanor throughout my life growing up. I would even have a title for the chapter "When God saved me" I can honestly say this would be the longest chapter as it would list all the times God protected me from harm (the times I was aware of and those I'm not aware of), the times when God forgave me, the times when I failed to live my life according to his will and yet he still poured his grace on me.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

I'm sure your story would be very telling as well. As I reflect on my life and what titles I would give my story I realize there is one common thread throughout my life, it is witnessing God's goodness. There isn't a time when he wasn't good to me. Even when I struggled to see it, God was still loving me, teaching me, helping me grow spiritually.

But if I had to narrow the title down to one I would call it "The journey that took me home". Because this journey is taking me to my heavenly home and by thinking of it this way it helps me to keep everything I've gone through in perspective. Some people say we shouldn't look back on our lives, but I think we need to because we can draw strength from seeing how far we have come. We are able to see all we endured and realize how we overcame every one of those obstacles. The key is not to look back with regret, but to look back with fresh eyes seeing the lessons we have learned and to realize that you ARE stronger than you realize!!

You may be in a difficult season or even a joyous one and I hope this message will remind you that no matter where you are on your journey, you are continuously learning life experiences that will strengthen you for the next lessons to come. Stay the course and remember to look for the God winks!

I encourage you to read the entire Psalm 86 as it is full of wisdom!!

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime