Every story matters to God

It was the very first summer of Storygalorey. I was nervous, but as I opened the front door, I was greeted by a smiling friend who had kindly supported me by bringing her daughter. I relaxed and took a deep breath. Nothing to be anxious about here! I glanced at her T-shirt and quickly took in the words printed on them. It was a shirt from her church, and it read: 

Every name has a story. Every story matters to God.  

Those words grabbed me. "Wow!" I thought, "that's kind of what was in the back of my mind with starting this new business. Stories, art, loving people, pointing to God..."

All I said out loud was, "I love your shirt!" 

Imagine how I felt when she came to Storygalorey the next time, thrusting a small grey bundle of fabric into my hands. "It's the T-shirt you liked! I had an extra!" I felt so loved and seen. That feeling--of someone seeing you and recognizing you in the moment, is exactly the message the shirt meant to convey, and she had acted it out. 

Every name has a story. Every story matters to God. 

When people take time to see us and even share a moment where our story intersects with theirs, it communicates that care and concern that says we matter to God. 

Your life matters.  Your past life, the way you live today, and what will happen in your life tomorrow is part of your story, and you are helping shape the world around you. Reading about, and doing art based on, the life stories of various people is what we will be doing in Storygalorey this fall. 

While we can't possibly know what impact our life or our kids' lives will have on the world, I hope they are inspired as we read and do art about people and their stories. 

Want to inspire your kids to realize that their story matters? Here are some book ideas to get kids thinking about their lives as important stories that can impact the world for good: (Amazon associate links)

You are a Story by Bob Raczka

When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner

The Creator in You by Jordan Raynor

Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell

To encourage them in their dreams and ideas as they enter the new school year, give them some kind of notebook or journal to write in.
First, have them draw a self-portrait. Then ask them to write or dictate a few sentences about their life this year. Encourage them to draw more pictures as they answer the questions if they want to! Here are some ideas to get you started:

My name is _________ and I am ______years old.

This year, I hope to learn more about____________ .

If I could do anything I wanted, I would spend more time ___________________.

My favorite thing to do right now is________________________.

Here are some things I struggle with right now________________________

I would like to help someone by doing____________________. 

I feel happiest when____________________.

I think _____________is hilarious.

I wish I could solve this problem in the world____________________.

You get the idea--these are just random things I thought of. You can think of your own. The hope is to keep kids dreaming and learning and growing in the way God created them, to impact the world for good. These books might be fun to look back on when they are older to help them get glimpses of who they are becoming.

Many thanks to Trinette, whose gift still impacts me when I wear that T-shirt, because...

Every name has a story. Every story matters to God. 

Enriching kids' lives through stories and art,

Jennifer