What’s Your Story?

Prior to participation in any programming at Cornerstone, individuals are asked to attend an interview. During interviews we begin with who we are as Cornerstone and what we are seeking to accomplish. After that brief presentation is completed, we turn to the participant with this open-ended question,

“What’s Your story?”

As one would imagine we get various answers—

• I work at…

• I have __ kids…

• I’m from…

• I graduated from…

• Not much to share…

And sometimes the question is answered with stifled sobs and tears.

When that occurs (and it happens often) I typically follow up with this question,

“Tell me about the tears.”

In our most recent round of interviews I received an answer that I will not soon forget—

“No one ever asks about me. They just show up and take what they need and then they leave. My story doesn’t matter.”

Wow. Our neighbors deserve better than that.

Convincing someone that their story matters is more walk than talk. It is more about a consistent presence than helpful content (though we offer that as well).

At the birth of my firstborn daughter I received this powerful parenting tip in the form of a question.

Question: Do you know how kids spell love?

Answer: They spell love, T—I—M—E.

Are adults so different?

At Cornerstone we have the relational privilege to ask the questions and the time to hear the answers.

Why?

Because everyone’s story matters to God and it should matter to us as well.