The TV networks fear the drama of athletic competition alone isn't exciting enough to entice us to watch the "minor" sports. To lure us in, the sportscasters give us backgrounding. One Olympic broadcaster in particular is sometimes criticized for dwelling on the tearjerking life stories of Olympic athletes more than their actual athletic accomplishments. The person of the week seems to be women's soccer goalie Hope Solo. Now I couldn't have made up a name like that for a novel and gotten by with it. But then, I couldn't have made up a character like Hope Solo and gotten by with it either. If ever I am tempted to give up and run away from a challenge or a mistake, her story would serve to inspire me.
We all care more about the game and its outcome when we feel a personal connection to the players, when we know their story, particularly if there is drama in the story. Young athletes benefit from hearing about the struggles their heroes have gone through. Spiritual athletes in training are inspired in the same way. Stories of faith journeys inspire, capture the imagination and the heart, and make the faith story real, personal, and accessible. In the church, we call that witness. Stewards share their stories (appropriately) to help others on the way. Telling one's own story may seem egotistical or self centered. Sometimes it's just embarrassing. But my story, like all things in my life, is a gift to me, one that is made sacred by sharing it with another pilgrim.
Stewards who have stories share them. Stewards in training ask to hear them.
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