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A Good Word

The Storyteller

Several months after I moved from the Midwest to Atlanta, I was still lonely. I needed to make new friends. So when Eileen, a woman from church, invited me to her home Bible study, I accepted with a smile.

As I looked around her living room at the first meeting, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. White, wispy hair… wallet photos of grandchildren… retirement chatter—every woman was my mom’s age or older. Would I ever fit in? I wondered.

As my new friends shared their wisdom, I felt surrounded by their care and concern.

Eileen and I quickly became good friends. She was a gifted storyteller. With more than 80 years of living behind her, she had a story for any situation I faced.

She helped me cope when my relationship with my two teenagers hit rough patches. “World War II was hard on my husband,” Eileen recalled. “He was never at peace after being held as a prisoner of war. He began drinking too much and eventually died in a car accident, leaving me with four young children. But God helped me raise four responsible, caring adults and now He’s working on the next generation.”

Eileen reminded me I was never alone, even though I lived far from family and friends. “When I was 10 years old, my family lived in a lighthouse in Maine,” she said. “Winter often left us snowbound for weeks on end. I couldn’t go to school, church or town to visit friends. But my family held our own church service around the kitchen table, praying and singing hymns. I learned at a young age that God would be my constant Friend.”

One day, Eileen told me, “I’m moving to Minnesota to live with my daughter.” She was happy in Atlanta, but health problems required that she live closer to her family. I wanted to help my friend, but what could I do?

It had only been a short time since I was the “new kid on the block,” but I had blossomed in my new home and I knew she would too.

“Eileen,” I smiled, “it’s my turn to tell you a story. It’s a little tale about moving called ‘Bloom Where You’re Transplanted.’ I think you’re going to love it!” As I talked, my friend’s face softened.

I was reminded of the Scripture, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, NIV).