Letter from the Editor
This morning, when I got into my car to drive to work, I was delighted to see a few leaves resting contentedly on my dashboard. Though the trees in Virginia haven’t technically changed color quite yet, the first eager leaves are beginning to descend. As I pulled out of the driveway, most of the leaves on my windshield blew away, but one giant leaf remained. However, I didn’t notice that it was still there until a gust of wind swept it up and seemed to pin it, right smack in the middle of my windshield. Seeing it rest with determination as I sped along, my heart was delighted. It was as if autumn was forcing itself into my day, front and center. But then suddenly, before I could even see where it flew, it lost its shaky hold and disappeared completely.
It was just a leaf, blowing in the wind, but it made me pause and think of how much can change in the blink of an eye. One moment, the trajectory of life points one direction, and then a second later it changes forever. These moments of change are what create stories. They mark the beginning of something new. Like the birth of a new child, or the death of a loved one, these moments usher in a new chapter of life, whether we are prepared for it or not.
Stories aren’t contained to the fables we learn as small babes, or the books we begrudgingly read as students, or even the tales we return to with love throughout the course of our life. Those old books we keep upon our shelves do contain great stories, but they are just one thread in the painting of this life. In our heart of hearts we all know that “once upon a time” really starts “in the Beginning” and that all of history is one epic story.
When I think about timeless stories and gifted storytellers, my mind usually jumps to Homer, Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, and Tolkien. But when we discussed the storytelling theme, we agreed that the goal for this issue was to think beyond the literary realm and uncover other stories, and other methods of storytelling. When it comes down to it, maybe the greatest story you’ve encountered isn’t found on your bookshelf but instead can be read in the miraculous moments in your family history, a fresh loaf of grandma’s pumpkin bread, some stained-glass windows, or your grandfather’s favorite rocking chair. Though they may seem insignificant to others, these are the stories that have written the chapters of your life. In doing so, they have a part to play in the story we all share.
One unique aspect of being created in God’s image and likeness is our ability to converse, connect, and commune with one another. In the Beginning, God spoke Creation into existence. We too can change the world around us with our words. As Billy Kangas beautifully reminds us, a simple greeting at a coffee shop can bring a soul to Christ. Yet we all know that just a few words spoken in bitter resentment can sever a relationship forever. This autumn, as the natural world winds down and we find ourselves gathering indoors more frequently, what old stories will we share with those around us? But more importantly, what new stories will be woven with the decisions we make, the way we speak, and the words that surround us?
– Rachel Gerring, Executive Editor
