Newly ordained and fresh from seminary, thirty seven years ago, I was foolish enough to believe that I had “the power”. The power to change, transform lives by the dry and arid sharing of theology. Such power, I then believed, would only be harmed by stories. Given all this I was disturbed, this is embarrassing, that my “boss” so often told stories in his sermons. John Watson later became my most trusted mentor and friend, a man who rose to stand beside me when all others vanished (another story sometime).
John listened to my reasoned advice and then commented, “There once was a man from Galilee who taught by parable”… a perfect, judicious and kind response to my babbling.
There remains a power in the telling of story – stories from one’s own life, stories about the great primal myths of humanity. Often the story is best left to be mulled over in the mind of the listener; let them ponder, let them choose to continue the conversation.
There is a truth here that is wisdom for all relationships. Best not talk in terms of right and wrong but rather in the stories of feelings, responses – here there is opportunity for the conversation to continue in a productive, respectful and healthy manner.
Try it.