Today, I am preparing for tomorrow. I will be teaching story ropes to a group who have been studying prayer right here in Seattle. The participants will be sharing their stories and praying through their stories using a story rope.(See “story rope” tab above for more details about making story ropes.) I am ironing and folding different fabrics for the ropes, so that the participants will have a wide array of colors to use for telling their stories.
Each ribbon or strip of fabric tied along the visual “timeline” represents a significant part of a person’s story. Our stories are important, matter greatly to God, and should be shared and appreciated with each other. Sometimes, we need to offer comfort, truth and prayer for the various parts of our stories. Sometimes we can share joy as a “bright” part of a story is shared. Hopefully, and prayerfully really, the making of the story ropes will bring a start to healing into participants’ hearts.
Story ropes often help in “searching our hearts with God, especially if our stories are shared with a safe, servant-hearted community. When this happens, I am reminded of these lines at the end of Psalm 139: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
