Tell It Well: How to Discover, Own, and Share Your Story Well

Debut author Spoelma believes everyone’s story is unique and should be told, and she has plenty of advice for discovering, embracing, and sharing one’s story of coming to faith and seeing God working in one’s life. Spoelma argues that readers should be upfront about their spiritual life and willing to share. The story doesn’t have to be dramatic, she writes; one just has to be able to share what God has done and is continuing to do. Obstacles to sharing sometimes include fear of offending the listener or of being vulnerable. Spoelma notes that journaling helped her find her own story. Her journey didn’t change, but her perspective did, and the journals helped her relate what God had done. She offers readers other practical tools for developing their own stories as well, such as approaching it like any other project and listing the setting, characters, plot, and theme. Studying God’s nature in Scripture, finding common ground with the listener, developing listening skills, and setting limits on what should be included will all enhance the storytelling. Questions prompting further reflection are included at the end of each chapter of this helpful debut. (BookLife)