to tell the story

The leaves around here are telling their story of change.
So too have I been thinking about my own story of transformation, of reconciliation.

This is a pretty hot topic around our house- sharing the story of Christ in our lives with one another and then wondering how best to tell it to others. Growing up, I thought evangelism was about having a prepared, apologetic argument in defense of the gospel. On one hand, it was simple (sort of). I could memorize scripture and catchy quotes of amazing Christian leaders of my day, guide/manipulate the conversation in the direction of God and be ready to deliver "aha" thoughts and questions that would supposedly cause the other to realize the truth about God and give their life to Christ immediately. It was controlled. It was purely intellectual and calculated.
On the other hand, this terrified me. I questioned if I had the mind or the courage it took to perform such a feat- with each person I came in contact with, day after day.

It seems as though the leaves tell... it's as if they can't help it. But maybe it's the change that tells its own story, upon the canvas of the leaf.

Now, I'm not trying to convince us all to never speak of God and His redemptive plan directly, boldly, intentionally. But perhaps we should pray to be shut up. Perhaps we should actually get out of the way of God telling His story upon the canvas of ourselves. Maybe it can really be that simple. And because of Him making joy and hope evident in our lives will we have the opportunity to answer why.