Do you love to tell the story?

Are you a grandparent? Or have you been around someone who is a grandparent? There is something uncontainable about the love unleashed by the birth of a grandchild...

It spills into conversations through

pictures

videos

anecdotes

all rooted and centered in the presence of a love that simply will not and cannot be restrained.

I know one grandpa whose joy oozes into all conversations and interactions...his work space is filled with pictures of the little ones...his wallet has a full display of the monthly (or weekly) photo shot. If you happen to be in his presence in a line or a waiting room, it is only a matter of moments until he directs the conversation to "Let me tell you about my grandchildren...." and then he moves on to the latest development.

Something "happens" as he tells the stories. Although most of his audience will never get to know his grandchildren firsthand, they can't help but be affected by the presence of abiding, enthusiastic joy and love. His words are sincere, his body language radiates gratitiude and appreciation....even awe! The atmosphere sparkles with the delight of "grandparenthood". His story testifies to the reality of a power that transforms human experience.

When you love something that much....when your life has been indelibly marked by a relationship and by the experiences evolving from that relationship, you can't help but tell others about it.... (whether they ask to hear what you have to say....or not!)

That's how the power of God's love in Christ can excite us so that our actions and words communicate to ALL the presence of his kingdom on earth.

Last Sunday at CRLC we sang "I Love To Tell The Story" on the heels of remembering how challenging it can be to move about this world as disciples. In spite of any difficulty ... even when we are in the face of rejection or pessimistic ridicule, the flame of God's Word in Christ burns in our hearts...minds...bones.


I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

2. I love to tell the story;
more wonderful it seems
than all the golden fancies
of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story,
it did so much for me;
and that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee.
(Refrain)

3. I love to tell the story;
'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy Word.
(Refrain)

4. I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long.
(Refrain)





What are some of the ways you tell the story of the deepest love of your life? As others are affected by your words, your actions and your values, what story do they hear?