Still Speaks
Apr 08, 2025 by Addison Crissone
As a writer, I love a good story.
Especially ones that happen to be true- and my own family's story.
I was deeply inspired by a story I had heard once about a relative on my Dad's side of the family, and as a writer, I felt that it needed to be told.
So, I started a new project.
But half the job of writing a story is the research that must occur first. And part of that research included reaching out to a family member to ensure that I had the details of my ancestor's story correct before pursuing a fictional account of their life and story.
And I was amazed by all the information and extraordinary parallels between the real story and the plot I had already pieced together in my mind and on paper. I took it as my sign from God that this is exactly the story I need to tell next.
I was reminded of the verse in the book of Hebrews-
Especially ones that happen to be true- and my own family's story.
I was deeply inspired by a story I had heard once about a relative on my Dad's side of the family, and as a writer, I felt that it needed to be told.
So, I started a new project.
But half the job of writing a story is the research that must occur first. And part of that research included reaching out to a family member to ensure that I had the details of my ancestor's story correct before pursuing a fictional account of their life and story.
And I was amazed by all the information and extraordinary parallels between the real story and the plot I had already pieced together in my mind and on paper. I took it as my sign from God that this is exactly the story I need to tell next.
I was reminded of the verse in the book of Hebrews-
"And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks."
-Hebrews 11:4
-Hebrews 11:4
While this verse is talking about Abel, it applies to all of our loved ones who have gone on. Through faith, our ancestors, though they are dead, their stories are still heard; they still speak. And their stories are worthy of being told from generation to generation.
Psalms 71:17-18 says this-
Psalms 71:17-18 says this-
"O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wonderful deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God,
do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might
to another generation, your power to those to come."
and I still proclaim your wonderful deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God,
do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might
to another generation, your power to those to come."
Luckily for me, I come from a long line of faithful Christians- people who did not give up when life was hard. This is something that still applies to use today. Though we may not face the same hardships and trials that our ancestors did generations ago, the struggle of the Christian life remains the same today as it was back then.
My friends, I have told you all of this today to remind you that our stories matter.
Our lives matter.
Whatever story God is writing for you today is one that can and will be used one day as a powerful testimony to generations who may come after us. Our stories have the power to speak to a generation that we may never even meet.
Why?
Because our stories will speak to future generations just as our ancestors' stories still speak to us today.
My friends, I have told you all of this today to remind you that our stories matter.
Our lives matter.
Whatever story God is writing for you today is one that can and will be used one day as a powerful testimony to generations who may come after us. Our stories have the power to speak to a generation that we may never even meet.
Why?
Because our stories will speak to future generations just as our ancestors' stories still speak to us today.
