Living a good story
Living a good story
25 October 2021
Image of Jessica Morris by Eris Alar
I have always loved stories. When I was a child, my mum would sit down and read Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree to my sister and me. The fantastical stories about siblings who discovered a magical tree – plus an ever-changing land above it – enthralled me. And I relished the security of knowing they would make it home safely, despite facing bizarre and scary obstacles.
These characters compelled me to live a good, brave story. But as I grew up and went on my own adventures, I realised things don’t always pan out with a storybook ending. Like the time I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder – there was no magical cure waiting for me. Instead, I spent years doing intensive therapy and took medication to start healing.
Likewise, while Blyton’s heroes experienced no trauma after their misadventures, I still wrestle with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. For a while, I even wondered if I was capable of living. But even in those moments, stories and songs reminded me that some version of happiness was out there. And for many years, I lived in my own cocoon of healing, nurtured by these characters and stories until I was ready to take flight.
Everyday stories
And that’s when I experienced the true power of stories – real stories. The ones we live every day. You see, as I shared my story, I saw it help other people. And the imperfect and broken chapters of my life gave people the language to live theirs. Granted, as a writer, this was very literal for me. I wrote blogs and books and social media captions. I saw my words on T-shirts and even a few tattoos. I had conversations with friends and family. It was extraordinary – as miraculous as finding a magical faraway tree in the woods of life.
I don’t have an explanation for my pain or for the struggles you have faced. But I know that God can use our story to help other people once we heal and find community. In the Bible’s book of Genesis chapter 50, verse 20, a man called Joseph (the one with the technicolour dreamcoat) captures this perfectly, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”
Joseph meant this literally – his brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, and he became prime minister of Egypt. Joseph saved his people from famine – talk about living a good story! In the same way, God can use the pain-filled parts of your story to help others. How? Well, you start living it one day at a time. You ask for help, and you survive, and you heal, and then you thrive. There will be tears and ups and downs. And eventually, you realise that living a good story is more rewarding than reading a fictional one. Because God can use anything for good – just wait and see.
Comments
I can relate to your story.keep on keeping on.i knew your dad when he was a young boy.lovely to see you weathering life in times that are so different.and things that are constantly changing..God never changes and is always faithful to his words.
He will be the same tomorrow as he is. Today.bless you Jessica...vicky holland.