Why (re)tell stories?

  One of the major skills of a writer has to be telling old stories in new ways; or as someone else put it, of making familiar things new. 

  Writers do this all the time in varying degrees; we’re re-sculpting different combinations and flavors and colors of familiar old situations, people, places, events, etc. to form new stories, or sometimes we are telling an exact story from a new angle.

  When we retell things our audience is familiar with, but in an entirely new way or combined with something else, or from a different perspective, or with fresh eyes, etc. we race past anything the reader’s mind has decided they “already know” about the tale or a plot point or a lesson to be learned before they can catch and tame the story and soften the impact, or throw together their cynical walls for comfort before what they need to hear finds its mark. 

  When that surprising fresh view appears before they can stop it, it can speak to hearts in unexpected and often very powerful ways.  The story can make an impact afresh, or illuminate a theme they previously missed.  Because they’re listening again.  They can’t help it. 

  Part of the reason to retell old or known stories is similar to the reason we as humans should tell stories at all;

  So that we can shine lights on chunks of the Truth and the character of God that our mortal minds miss or ignore or don’t understand, and start to learn them. 

  Combining two or several known stories together has a way of creating something engaging (if done well, not just as a rip-off...but that's a point for another time) that is very good at charming its way past what we’ve grown numb to or cynical of, and depositing us neatly face to face with those kinds of snapshots of solid Truth in a very clear, vivid picture.  We can’t deny it anymore when its looking right back at us, unblinking and unmistakable. 

  As William Wilberforce said about exposing things in the light:

  ‘We may choose to ignore, but we can never again say that we did not know.’

  Stories, especially retold older stories, are masterful at this.  They confront us in ways that often make us squirm, yes, but also make us think.  And choose.  And then hopefully act differently.  Even retold fairytales can do that. 

  We can draw a line from here to why we tell our faith testimonies as well.  It’s just a retelling of the story God is writing repeatedly in all different ways to each of His creations, but maybe a little something from my story, or from this other person’s story, can get past a roadblock or premonition someone else has, and help them get closer to the story being reconstructed in their own heart.

  Just know that...it matters, friends.

  Telling stories can sometimes seem like just fanciful fun, a hobby, not like the “real work“ of the world.  But in reality it’s enormously important, to say nothing of life changing. 

  I repeat this quote from John Fornof often because it’s so true and poignant: 

“Life and death of a culture is dependent on who is telling the stories. 

Between ‘Once upon a time’ and ‘Happily ever after’, you can change the world.”

 

(Words are my own.  Pictures and quotes and pictures belong to their respective owners -- they are here only for inspiration.)