Storytelling

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Maya Angelou

Throughout history we know that stories have been vehicles for bringing about change in the world. The scriptures I read every day were first told in story form and passed from community to community. We tell stories in our families about those we love and see no longer. I tell Lennox, my son, stories of his great grandfather and great grandmother almost daily. Lennox’s great grandfather lives on in the stories we share. We also know that some stories are never told, and some stories are changed to affect change on the listeners. History is full of untold stories about people of color and those who went against the norms of their day. Nevertheless, stories and storytelling are vital parts of our lives, yet we choose not to tell or listen to certain stories. Maya Angelou knew the cost of untold stories as she lived in her time and place. Stories about her life and culture were often met with criticism and hatred due to the color of her skin. However, she persevered telling her story and the stories of many others who shared her skin color. I believe this quote and her life serve as a reminder of the importance of telling our story. As Christians we can choose to tell the story of Jesus Christ or not. We can choose to tell the stories of our communities no matter how grim, or not. We cannot truly unite ourselves until we stand united in our stories without fear of retribution. What are the stories in your communities that are not told? What are the stories your family does not tell? What untold stories do you bear?