Pebbles in the Moonlight
Stories That Light The Way Home
Gretel began to cry and said: “How are we to get out of the forest now?” But Hansel comforted her and said: “Just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way.” And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces and showed them the way. They walked all through the night, and as day was dawning they arrived at their father’s house.[i]
When I first mentioned to close friends and family that I was writing my memoir, the reviews were mixed. After I explained the central theme my story would tell, folks expressed either delight or confusion.
How wonderful! I would love to read your life story!
This comment most often came from good friends who knew snippets from my life and may not have wanted to discourage me or hurt my feelings.
I thought only famous people wrote memoirs. Like people who lived through spectacular, near-death experiences or who championed a global cause with world-changing results.
These responses were expressed by a handful of friends and family who were present for either all or part of my life and must have thought I didn’t have anything interesting to say. These comments were sometimes followed by “Am I in it?” implying that their role in my story would surely add some spark to an otherwise ho hum life.
Who’s gonna read your memoir? I mean really—who cares about your life?
I’m sad to report that this harsh question came from someone in my writing group. In her defense, maybe this comment revealed more about her life than it did about mine.
It’s true that readers are drawn to dramatic stories about people who triumphed over unbearable hardships to achieve remarkable success. Or who led a noble crusade with great fanfare and changed history. But for most of us, it’s the relatable, everyday life events that create the deepest connections to our own stories and a fresh understanding of our life experiences. These powerful new perspectives allow the sun to rise over the idea that life isn’t all up to us. Especially since even our most sincere efforts create more chaos than calm, more shouting than praying, more insomnia than serenity. Dr. Dan Allender captures this beautiful thought:
“Few people know the impact of their stories of tragedy or how those stories shape their life. We are all enacting those stories of early loss, heartache, and shame without realizing their impact or considering their implication. Once we begin to face our heartache and see the implications of our flight from God in the midst of our tragedy, then the reality of how God has pursued and wooed us to shalom is a taste we can’t resist.” [ii]
We are all familiar with the mythical story of Hansel and Gretel, two impoverished children abandoned in the woods by their evil parents. Like Hansel and Gretel, we were deserted as children, left alone in the woods to find our own way. The people who should have nurtured us discarded or injured us. We struggled to find our way to safety, but night descended and we became hopelessly lost. What if someone had left shiny pebbles along the ground, like Hansel did, that would light the way back home?
When we share our stories about how God rescued our young souls, they become like luminous pebbles strewn along a darkened path that lead others to safety. What a beautiful way to transform our pain into a radiant light for others.
I groan with the rest of creation that things are not easier, that life is such a conundrum, and that pain and injustice continue unabated in the lives of so many. My own painful journey of faith appears insignificant when compared with the lives of so many people who have suffered so much more than me.
And yet—if we recount the stories that God wrote into our lives, we can offer readers a handhold that will help them to draw closer to him. Stories that shed light on their questions about who God truly is and what they mean to him. A message that will ease their fears and isolation and help them find healing for their shattered hearts so they can experience true love, maybe for the first time. And as a result, love others in ways they never thought possible.
I know—it’s a lot to hope for. But we must never give up hope.
The unfolding of my life carried enormous cost.
So did yours.
Let’s travel the road together for a while and share our stories. I strongly suspect they have remarkable similarities.
[i] https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/oct/10/fairytales-hansel-gretel The Tale of Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grim
[ii] https://theallendercenter.org/2014/05/3-central-questions-of-the-story-workshop/ May 14, 2014
I find myself grasping into thin air on some days to hold onto hope. It is the stories and experiences of shall I say “ The everyday person” that gives me hope. Extraordinary stories can be a great read but I need the stories from people like me and others who are struggling to hold on and how God himself has helped them through. Thank you Lisa for your words.
Thanks for your beautiful thoughts Janet. I’m right there with you. ~ Lisa
Very beautiful and well said, Lisa. I’m sorry to hear that someone who should have supported the work of a fellow writer said something so unkind, and untrue.
Betsy ~ Writers and artists can be just as snarky as any other profession, unfortunately. Which is why you surround yourself with people who offer supportive, constructive, experienced feedback that only makes your work better. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful tribe of fellow writers. You can find them on the acknowledgments page of my memoir.
Lisa,
Your words create a beautiful, mental picture for me of God’s loving redemptive work in our lives as He tranforms pain into healing. God is faithful to bring good out of every situation. As we share our everyday stories, we receive deeper and richer intimacy with Him and others. Thank you for sharing your God given gift of writing and sharing life stories with us.
“When we share our stories about how God rescued our young souls, they become like luminous pebbles strewn along a darkened path that lead others to safety. What a beautiful way to transform our pain into a radiant light for others” create a mental picture for me”
Kimalea Arrighi
You are very welcome. I’m delighted you found me too!
Lisa,
We have such similar lives…I too moved to California from the East Coast (Maryland) as a very young girl (age 3 in 1963). My mother also suffered from a similar mental illness and was full of rage. Most of my early childhood was spent in fear. I recently came across a note I had written her when I was a freshman in high school apologizing for having to go to school that day in lieu of staying home with her. I was her keeper as well. She passed in 2012. I have spent years trying to heal my little girl and having read your book…let’s just say you revealed to me that God has always been there, right by my side. Thank you dear Lisa, I am finally able to forgive my mother. I too have her purse and look at it often. I know in her own way she loved me too but was a prisoner of her mental illness. Thank you for your book, I believe God let me to it. It brought such understanding and healing! I feel like you are an unseen soul sister. Bless you Lisa!
Dear Christina ~ Your response is the very reason I chose to write my story. I am amazed at the similarities in our lives and delighted that you have found encouragement and healing for your own story. May the healing presence of Christ continue to give you comfort and insight for your journey. ~ Lisa