The Life-Saving Power of Story
Humans seem to be made for stories. From our first breath to our last, our lives overflow with them. We live, we work, we suffer. We rejoice, we create, and we relate with others who are living stories as well. When we read the Bible we’re regaled with story after story about events, places, and people.
Jesus himself told a plethora of stories when walking this earth. Words and stories are powerful. And, as Christians, we have firsthand knowledge of the Greatest Story to exist and its life-saving power.
Caring Network is a non-profit, pro-life organization with six pregnancy centers in DuPage County. We’ve been helping women choose life since 1981 and we recognize the life-saving power of stories. We’d love for you to become part of our story!
Contact us today to find out how you can get involved.
What Makes a Good Story?
Think back to a time you felt welcomed by another person. Maybe this person greeted you with open arms and gave you space to be yourself. They might have lent a listening ear, words of encouragement, or a steady hand to remind you that you’re not alone. How did it feel to know you were cared for and valued?
Throughout life, we might go through circumstances and situations which make us feel isolated from others. We may be worried no one will understand, accept, or be there for us when things get difficult. However, having a supportive person who can listen, help, or just be present can make all the difference. Kindhearted hugs and uplifting encouragement are balms of healing and can be a bridge from death to life.
Hospitality is a Life or Death Necessity
Not only do we live stories, but we are also bombarded with stories from businesses, employers, the government, entertainment, and so forth. Yet, we can sniff out a good story when we hear one, can’t we? What makes a story worthwhile and impactful?
Oftentimes, hearing about the suffering, the needs, and the hard work or triumphs of other people tug on our hearts. We “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) We want to see the human behind the story and relate to them. Identifying with somebody else’s pain or circumstances can move us to sympathy, empathy, and action.
How Can Stories be Pro-Life?
Pregnancy resource center staff interact daily with women who are either going to choose life or death. It’s vital in this work that powerful, life-saving stories are shared. Women facing unplanned pregnancies often have difficult stories of their own and are being fed stories from other sources. So, it’s important to recognize the great responsibility we have to be a beacon of hope and light. They must hear stories of triumph, stories of beauty from ashes, and stories of how doing the hard thing can lead to such joy.
And, when pregnancy centers have those stories of lives changed and saved, they can be shared with those who support the ministry. So, together, women can be empowered to choose life. This is why it’s important that our stories speak levels of truth but also showcase human suffering and triumph so we can identify with and celebrate with each other.
When we partner with God in serving others, we are actively contributing to the Greatest Love Story ever told.
Do you recognize the life-saving power of story? At Caring Network we’re always in need of partners and volunteers so we can keep telling mothers stories of hope. You can get involved in a variety of ways such as prayer, volunteering, and other support. To learn more about the work we do, check out some of our stories of lives changed and saved!
