I had coffee this morning with a friend I haven’t seen for over 4 years. Much has happened in our lives during that time: a wedding, a divorce, moves, deaths, epiphanies, learnings, heartaches, struggles, disappointments, hopes, joys. It was lovely to have time. To hear each others’ stories. To catch up.
We talked much of where we are at this point in our lives: trying to think through vocational/professional choices. Really not wanting to go into 8-5, fulltime positions, but rather, to follow our abilities and passions, to be entrepreneurs, and to trust that we actually have something to offer. Ironically, I think both of us would be the first to say to the other, “Of course you can do this!!!” despite the self-doubt that we allow to impact our own self-talk.
We talked about the reality that the very things we now hope to offer to others is fueled by our own experiences, our own stories. We both deeply desire to speak into the lives of women (and men), offering freedom, life, empowerment, authenticity, truth-telling, and integrity. We both know what it means to walk in realms where our expression of such was dangerous, where we knew harm, where risking meant danger and hurt vs. affirmation and validation. And so, we’re adamant and compelled that the same not be true for others.
When we use the phrase, “preaching to the choir” it basically means this: we are talking to people who already understand and agree with what we’re saying. That was definitely happening today. But even more, it’s often when we hear ourselves talking about our own hopes and desires (as well as struggles and heartaches) that we are actually preaching to ourselves. We are telling ourselves what we already know and understand, but need to hear again. We are hearing ourselves retell and redeem our own stories. In many ways, we are choosing to live our own stories out in the ways we wish they would have gone…taking all our learnings and lessons along the way and imparting them to others.
Sometimes we can’t (or don’t) gain enough perspective on our own actions and motives as others can provide and reflect for us. This morning offered me ample perspective – in beautiful and rich ways. As I heard myself speak, I heard my self-sermon, my preaching to the choir, my hope for others that’s embodied in my own narrative, my own life, my story. As I heard my friend speak, I heard her self-sermon, her preaching to the choir, her hope for others, her story. Yes, we’re preaching to the choir, and both of us have something important to say, to offer, to invite, to live. I’m grateful for that reminder. And it’s not often that I say these words, but I’m actually grateful for that sermon. Now that’s saying something!!!
Preach it, Dani!
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May both of your voices be heard. I need to listen.
Beautiful, Ronna. May we continue to preach, sing and listen.
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