Stories have power. Stories can take us away and sweep us into places we’ve never been. Stories also teach us to relate. When a story is told, whether it be from a friend, a movie, or a book, we immediately latch onto what we can relate to. We can relate to the hero in a Disney movie because we have a desire to do good and be victorious. We can relate to a character in a book that travels the world because we have the desire to leave our ordinary lives and see all that is out there. Simply said, stories are relatable.

I remember the first time I ever told my story. I'm talking top to bottom, testimony and all. My story included the good, the bad, and certainly the ugly. I'm sad to say that the first time I fully told my story was this year. For twenty-one years I managed to avoid this because I did not like a lot of my story. I loved the part where Jesus came in and rescued me from a lot of heartache and sadness, but usually I just started with that part and went forward. This left out a huge chunk of my life that was just as important as the good, happy stuff.

It was in the most unlikely of situations that I shared everything about myself. I was on a bachelorette trip with some friends, old and new. I starting talking to one of the girls whom I barely knew. It was extremely late at night and we were exhausted. We had just driven all the way back from Georgia and I was the last one to be dropped off. It was almost midnight and I think the two of us were just trying to stay awake at that point. She started telling me her story, the good and the bad.

And it was beautiful.

I found myself saying "me too" a lot! She had been through things that I had not, yet I felt myself nodding my head constantly when she described the emotions she felt and how it affected her. Our stories were different, but I could relate to her because she responded to them in a lot of the same ways I have responded to things in my life.

She knew what she had been through and she saw how strong it had made her. She saw the good she could find in the bad and recognized how key it was for her to find her relationship with God. Then she turned on me and asked me my story. I had nothing to lose, I did not really know this girl. We certainly did not have the kind of connections that would hinder me from telling her everything. She was just this new friend who would drive the two hours back to her home after she dropped me off at my apartment.

So I told her everything - and that started a whole new wave in my life.

It is our duty to tell our story. You might feel like your story is not interesting, or maybe it is too intense and you would rather keep it to yourself. Maybe your story is embarrassing and you do not want anyone ever finding out about it. Maybe you are scared. But you still have to tell it. Why, you ask?

Because of the “me too.”

“Me too” is one of the most powerful statements in the English language. It shows instant connections and shows that you relate to someone on an intense level. “Me too” means that you share the same experience, feelings, or desires. “Me too” means that maybe your greatest dream is also to eat pasta in Italy or see the Eiffel Tower at night. Or maybe “me too” is something more like “I also went through depression” or “I feel alone surrounded by people as well.” People need to know that they are not alone. That is why a story is so important. Stories show people that they are not alone. That “me too” moment gives hope when some feel like there is none.

God created us all unique. No two people on the earth are alike. We have different experiences, difference passions, different feelings, and different pasts. But there are things we have in common as well. God created us for companionship.

Talking heals so much. Human interaction is healing. I truly believe God meant for it to be that way and I truly believe that night I told my story changed my life. I'm blessed to say that this girl I told everything to has stayed in contact with me and mentored me in more ways than I can describe. It is one of the most beautiful ideas in the world: God uses us to help others. Your life, your testimony, and your story deserve to be told, if for no other reason than to help the people around you.

Relation is the first part of the word “relationship.” Building relationships is vital to human nature. God created it that way so that we would not be alone on this earth. We need to tell our stories. We need contact. We need love. We need understanding. We need “me too.”