Your memoir: A God-designed link between generations

Reading time: 1 minute, 7 seconds

We will tell our children,

and the generations that come after us,

God-shaped family stories our parents and grandparents

passed down to us.

Let’s not hide them

from our children and grandchildren.

Instead, let’s tell stories of what we have seen God do—

His power and might,

and the glorious and praiseworthy things He has done—

so that we and they will praise Him.

God commanded our ancestors

to teach such things to their children

so they, in turn, would teach their children

down through the generations.

This is His plan

to help all of us grasp and remember

His deeds and miracles

and live faithfully according to His ways.

Psalm 78:2-7, paraphrased

God dreamed up this ingenious plan—to teach our children and grandchildren what we’ve seen Him do—because He knows we’ll benefit if we know, love, and follow Him and His ways.

Instead of preaching do this and don’t do that, tell stories that will help kids and grandkids discover for themselves what’s important.

People resist a holier-than-thou attitude, but they respond well to a story. Stories are powerful.

“A story is up to twenty-two times more memorable than facts alone,” according to Professor Jennifer Aaker of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Your stories can entertain your readers,

they can cause readers

to laugh,

or cry,

or maybe both.

And they’ll remember your stories

longer than lectures or preaching.

Through your stories,

others can benefit from your experiences:

Readers can take in the wisdom you learned,

avoid the mistakes you made,

and make their own good choices.

Your stories can help them navigate through their own

difficulties and mysteries,

make sense of their own lives,

and gain a sense of direction for the future.

Your stories can soften and strengthen hearts,

pass on hope,

and offer grace.

Write your stories. They are important!