Show and Tell
Show and Tell
As a curious, but insecure, youngster, I looked forward to Show and Tell at school. Just like it sounds, Show and Tell was when kids brought a treasure to class to show off and tell a story about why it was special or unique.
You could bring in a stuffed animal or goldfish, a baseball card or photo from your family vacation, a shell from the seashore or a ticket stub from an amusement park.
Show and Tell was the insider’s look at classmates’ interests, home life and values. It created connection and provided common touch points.
Knowing more about my classmates gave me a more accurate understanding of them and diminished the angst about being the newest or youngest or poorest kid in the class.
Sneaky Secondary Benefits
The process taught us public speaking skills and audience etiquette. Telling stories, paying attention and being a good listener are acquired skills. Applauding the student at the front of the room taught us to be polite and kind.
Training ground
Story engages listeners. Captivates their imaginations. Show and Tell might have been the first time any of us publicly proclaimed what was good in our lives.
We still Show and Tell
Don’t we still Show and Tell? Consider how quickly we share about a big sale at our favorite store, recipes for quick dinners, a wrinkle cream that actually works, or photos of the children or grandchildren’s achievements!
Show and Tell is the training ground for spreading good news.
How is God showing up?
People are eager for real connection and love to hear stories. How can you Show and Tell what God is doing in your life right now?
Show and Tell-ing our Good-News-God-stories builds relationship intimacy, provides opportunity for deeper conversation and encourages others to share their Good News.
What does that look like?
We all have our conversion story, but I want to challenge you to notice and share what God is doing in your life right now. How is he leading you, assuring you, comforting you, or challenging you?
I’ll go first.
What God is teaching me right now is to love my detractors and critics and lean on him for my value. For someone like me, who wants to be liked, this is tough stuff.
I try really hard not to be obnoxious, but even on my best day, I know there will be those who don’t like me – they will say things that hurt me, offend me or tick me off.
In those moments, I want to retaliate, boomerang their harsh words back at them, or slay them with sarcasm … but God … says to love them.
Instead …
I’m having to learn that a gentle word turns away wrath (Prov. 15:1) much better than my sharp response.
Practicing thankfulness for all the ways God loves and gifts me is the (near) cure-all for my broken heart and hurt feelings, (James 1:7) knowing His approval and love is enough.
Making the Golden Rule my guiding rule and treating others the way I wish they treated me (Matt. 7:12) is a great way to share a Good-News-God-story.
Your turn.
What is God doing in your life that you can use to Show and Tell his love and goodness?
Leave me a comment. I’d love to read your story.
Verse for today: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” -Philippians 4:8
Prayer: God Almighty, give me courage and opportunity to Show and Tell of your goodness, kindness, provision, love and forgiveness. Continue to give me what I need to become more like you and demonstrate who you are in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
I teach the ladies Bible study at my church. We just finished the study book, “Be Still and Know That I Am God,” by Deb Burma. Getting into the Word and sharing our insights and personal stories have been such a blessing to these Senior ladies!
I could not agree more. When we focus on HIM, the rest seems to take care of itself.
Dear Robyn,
I’ve had a heartbreaking and exhausting two weeks. I was happily anticipating my little dog giving birth to two puppies, and preparing the way for them. Then, tragedy came instead. The first pup came two days early and was stillborn. We rushed our Puffy to the vet for an emergency C-section and were overjoyed when the second one was born alive. We took it home, cared for it around the clock and then in the morning it starting gasping for air and it died on the drive to the vet. Double heartbreak. I forced myself to be thankful that God did not take our mama dog. She was steadily recovering from her C-section. Yesterday she suddenly got stomach problems and now I’m taking her back to the doctor too. The only way I got through the night was to think of the song “It is well with my soul”. On my phone is a message that God loves me but right now, I don’t have eyes to see it.. We are bracing ourselves for the trip back to the vet with our only dog left, the mama dog.
Oh Paula, that’s heartbreaking. I am so sorry. Hope all is well with mama-dog. And you.
I had one of those weeks where every day needed to fall into line in order to get everything done, overbooked much? I asked my small group to pray and everything went super well. But yesterday when settling up accounts with a client I did a sale for, she said she wants me to take her share of the money and she will take my much smaller percentage. The only gracious thing to do was take the extra and thank her and God..
I learning to tell God my worries and my concerns for others and He is teaching to see people as He does. My favorite verse is Romans 12:18 KJV- If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Another favorite of mine is the Golden Rule(Matthew 7:12)—Barb Lehman