Stories

The pastor of my church has asked me to deliver a sermon from time to time. I only did it once and with the greatest of trepidation! When I asked for advice, she told me to tell a story, or maybe two. Pick a topic and find a story that demonstrates it well, or make one up that does the same purpose.

Well that sounded easy. But it was not. No sirree!

So, I did one sermon and based it on two of my blogs that focused on local people. They were blog postings that showcased specific personality traits that were laudable. That became the core of my message. It worked. Not brilliantly, but…

Over the last couple of years I’ve observed discussions in which people told stories to emphasize their point. The groups appreciated those messages. Taking note of them I realized the pastor was right! Stories grab people’s attention. The tale communicates the human scale of the point. It is a lesson easier understood.

Just the other day a fellow said the same thing. And I’ve been thinking ever since then.

Stories. The who, what and why; then the punch line, the payoff. So I’ve been thinking up ideas for this development! Here’s what I came up with.

Johnny was walking down the road. Whistling absent mindedly when a kid he barely knew rode up on a bicycle. As distant thunder rumbled Johnny told the other kid that rain was coming in a few minutes. The other kid said “naw!” and road off to complete his errand.

Just then a bolt of lightening stabbed the sky followed by a crack of thunder. Rain immediately dropped in a deluge. Having opened an umbrella Johnny kept dry and soon entered the store he had set his sight on.  A hobby shop. He worked there part-time and was able to indulge his interests there as well.  He was a model builder of cars, vintage cars.

You probably think kids of all ages would flock to this store and you’d only be partially correct. The fact is adults, mostly males, flock to this store. They fancy modeling of ships, boats, planes and cars. Cars of all eras, actually. Race cars with current designs, but mostly mid century and antique autos. Antique era models probably because of the historical perspective – from this simple skeletal beginnings see how far modern styles have come! The mid century and newer are most likely nostalgia-driven.

When I see classic autos auctioned on cable TV I am transported to the years I first encountered the cars and their then newest design. This one was from elementary school days, while these from Junior High and high school days. Remember what we were doing then? Remember when dad bought that ’56 Buick and what fun we had test driving the Mercury, Ford, Chevy and Pontiac? They were all special, but the Buick was the best. Fire engine red with a white hard top, four doors but with no center pillar – a four door hard top convertible model they said.

Yes. Nostalgia. So customers flocked to the store and Johnny knew just how to help them!  He studied the store’s inventory, read old auto magazines and familiarized himself with the emergence of styles.  Adult customers loved Johnny!  They knew his hours and made sure he would be there when planning their shopping trip.

On the day Johnny met up with the kid on the bike, the day of the thunder storm, recognize Johnny’s maturity. He did not ride his bike to the store. No. He knew storms were forecast because he had paid attention to the radio reports. And he came prepared with an umbrella. He arrived at work as he planned – dry and ready to work.

Very adult indeed. And he used his maturity to serve his clientele as well.

The point of this story is simple: Johnny succeeded and went on to own a chain of hobby stores. He hired part time staff who demonstrated maturity of spirit and motivation. Those job applicants who acted like kids, were avoided. Customers, yes; staff no.

I could have ended this blog with a twist. Like Johnny ended up ignored, avoided and an addict of pills and alcohol. It happens you know. Silently. Hidden from view. The best kids of our best friends. Addicts. Because they were not heard, left to their own devices; and those were not kind to the johnnys of the world.

Which ending do you prefer?  Which one do you think is more prevalent in today’s America?  Think carefully before you answer. Very carefully.

May 21, 2013