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As Christmas draws near, have you ever thought about giving the gift of story to someone?

When I was a little girl, my favorite part of bedtime was my father’s story telling. Being a creative person, the stories he told weren’t ones he read from a book, but original tales he’d weave together on the spot. He usually waxed-on a little too long too, so my mother would poke her head in and ask him to wrap it up so we could get to sleep. Naturally, that meant he would have to continue the story the next night or two. I’m guessing it also gave him the opportunity to figure out how it would end. But sometimes other responsibilities got in his way and the story might not find its ending. Yet somehow it didn’t matter. We just loved the wonder and suspense he created each time.

While recently attending a women’s Bible study two women shared stories from their lives instead of the usual teacher-led Bible lesson. One of the women shared a wonderful story about her sister that had us all enthralled. Then after our meeting some of us went out for lunch where we quickly found ourselves sharing some of our own stories around the table. As a result, I think it was truly one of the best lunch times we’ve had.

Later that evening, thoughts of that wonderful sharing time and my father’s tales had me pondering how much I’ve always loved storytelling. Even at the young age of nine, I wrote my first little book. It was a true and heartwarming story about how our Cocker Spaniel found his way back home three different times and the third time happened in a very surprising and ironic way. So even at that age I recognized a good story and wanted to share it with others.

It also had me thinking about how the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café got its start.

Before I wrote the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café, I didn’t think I’d have the perseverance to write an entire novel. Although I’d written and published two other books, I never thought I could create and complete a well-written book of fiction. A novel involves too much imagination and expertise, not to mention taking a long time to write it. I told myself. Then came the morning after I’d had a terrible dream—one with a compelling story within it that needed to be told. And as I ventured into this new genre, it quickly became one of the most thrilling storytelling experiences I’ve had.

So, the story of Elise and Chicky-Pie’s Café became my first attempt at writing a fiction novel. And the more I worked at it, the more I enjoyed the process. It was like a new experience in creativity for me. And at the end of about two years it was completed and published. I’d not only written a novel, it gave me an exhilarating sense of accomplishment as never before .

Yet, despite completing the book, there were many times during the process when doubts about my talent and ability to author a novel would creep in. But, if you read the backstory of the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Cafe, you might remember how God continued to confirm I was supposed to tell that story. One enlightening affirmation came 9 months into writing it and at the point when my novel was well on its way to completion. While at a block party a new neighbor revealed that she’d experienced very similar things in her own life as my character Elise does. It was an eye-opening revelation to the fact that there are people in our own communities who have suffered trafficking and abuse.

Naturally, the satisfaction of writing that first novel and the great response from all of you, my readers, has encouraged me to continue this new writing adventure. So! Drum roll please… the sequel to the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café is now fully written and is currently in the publishing process of completion through editing and formatting. And while I’m excited about this next accomplishment, there might be times of doubt that will still sneak in again. But, because our Lord is a loving and encouraging Father, He has already begun giving me affirmation for this new novel too.

It happened during that recent lunchtime of storytelling. One of the gals told me that she was looking forward to the sequel because she loved the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café so much she’d read it “three times.”

At this stage, I’m not sure if this new sequel will be the last in a Chicky-Pie’s series but will wait to see how God leads me in that. In C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, the final one in his series, the Last Battle, the narrator tells how Narnia and their adventures there were just the beginning of a greater and more realistic story for them. He used the analogy of a book’s cover and its story title as a metaphor for their earthly life compared to what it would be like for them in eternity. How their stories would go on forever and every chapter that followed would consecutively get better than the one before. I am also reminded that Jesus frequently used stories to bring truth to light in a way that people could understand.

The true Biblical story of Jesus’ birth is an amazing story filled with wonder and drama but sadly it’s often lost in commercialized or other worldly trappings that make it unrecognizable. So, this Christmas, I’ll be looking for lots of opportunities to share the gift of the real Christmas story to some who might otherwise miss it. And while you may not be a writer or feel like you are a good storyteller, that story is one that all believers should be able to tell.

So, as we enter this joyous season, and as God continues to write His story in my life and yours, it’s my prayer that He will continue to give us tales to share with others. And, as C.S. Lewis suggested, that all of our stories will bless others until the day our real stories truly begin and are completed in eternity. Until then, may the Good Lord write a beautiful new story in your life this Christmas and give you many opportunities to share His story too.