After serving various ways in faith communities for the past thirty years, I now work at a school. A key component of my new position is to teach character and values to preschoolers through middle schoolers. While I utilize a variety of teaching techniques, I find lessons are particularly poignant when shared through stories. When students hear a story involving, say, honesty or compassion, the importance of the trait truly comes alive. They understand better the trait’s meaning, its importance and its impact. Great stories reveal the essence of life’s meaning and purpose.
Stories. We read them…and also, we are part of them. Our individual stories reveal our unique essence. And so, I invite you to contemplate: what is your story? Who are you, and to whom are you connected? How is your story intertwined with a family, a culture, a country or a faith community…and what difference has this made? What is your past, and how did that past bring you to your present circumstance? How does all of it inform your future? When we know each other’s stories, we can better know each other. We are better able to have empathy when we understand the hurts and hopes of others. In a fractured world which is often quick to judge and slow to listen, may we take time to reflect upon our stories. They are great stories that reveal our very spirit and identity. And when shared, our stories help us to more fully embrace our neighbor.
Rev. Kathryn Carroll is an ordained clergy with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a resident of Coconut Grove. She teaches character education at the Metropolitan International School of Miami in Wynwood.
