Trying to think or write down a story to share in a Catholic Story Group can be daunting for some of us. It makes sense especially if we didn’t love school or struggled in an English class or a write assignment growing up, or even now, as an adult. But story work here doesn’t involve that type of writing. It’s not academic. We aren’t even concerned about spelling or grammar. What matters most in our story writing is holy curiosity.  We need to explore what happened to us as a child and try to put words to the sensations and feelings that caused us the greatest harm back then. 

We may worry that our childhood stories of harm aren’t worth telling or aren’t a “big deal.” But if we remember a story, or even fragments of the story, it is a big deal. In writing and sharing our story within the confines of a confidential Catholic Story Group, we discover the message that God is trying to tell us. We will be able to make more sense of our past, and in doing so, gain a greater sense of freedom to live the life that God is calling us to live now. We also will discover that what has harmed us, God is using for our good and not just for ourselves. Our redeemed stories enhance our capacity to love and be loved by God and others. In the end, we will be able to look at the face of evil and declare, “Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20) for “we know that all things work for good for those who love God. 

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