In Which I Share a Podcast I Am On
The request arrived in an email.
“I’m starting this podcast and I’m telling stories and I’d like you to share yours.”
It was from a friend and I knew I could trust him with my story. And also, I haven’t exactly chosen to keep it all under wraps, tidy and secure. I’ve been spilling my guts in a public forum for more than a decade.
The telling of the story didn’t worry me as much as the other part of his message. “I’ll need to take some photos for the website if that’s okay.”
Ugh. Let me say words all day, no problem. But to pose awkwardly for photos – that’s another story entirely.
I’m only sort of joking.
The story my friend Corey wanted me to share was my story of divorce, of God meeting me in the middle of chaos, of redemption and of hope. The mess and the mystery of it all. And it’s not that telling the story is easy. But, with time, it has certainly become less heart breakingly painful. Easier to deliver in conversation, for certain.
But, more important than whether the story is all that easy to tell or not, is the fact that it is less and less my story. (And that has always been true, but my eyes are just more and more open to the fact.) My story is really just God’s story.
I believe deeply in the value of shared burdens, of hands held together and shoulders side by side. Of getting through something by getting together. And one of the most simple ways to encourage others going through deep loss and tragedy is to remind them they are not alone.
During a crisis, it’s critical to know that there is another side. A way through. And if the sharing of my story helps a wounded person to breathe a little less ragged in the wee hours of their darkest night, then I’ll share whatever you need to hear.
And I guess I’ll even let a photo or two be taken of the process.
You can visit Corey’s website – Fish Food – here.
My podcast with Corey is here.
There’s a written transcript of the podcast here.
It’s like you have endless options up there.
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4 Comments
Katie Peters
Lacey! I just listened to this interview and so enjoyed it. I am encouraged and inspired by your testimony. Thank you sincerely for sharing.
It’s unfortunate that Kansas hasn’t shown you a better time. I was born and raised probably right where you had that near death experience. Lol. It does sound terrifying though. If you ever drive I70 through there again, reach out to David and I and we will hook you up with lodging and top notch hospitality. In an attempt to balance the scales. 🙂
Wishing you all the best and safe travels this summer!
laceykeigley
Thank you!!
And thank you so much for your kind Kansas offer – after this journey all the way around Kansas I am thinking that if we are fortunate enough to make this trek again, we might give Kansas another go round. If we do, we’d love to take you up on this generous offer. It would be lots of fun and I’d love to see David as a solid grown up living a grown up life! 😉 (Still can’t believe my students are all adults now!)
Katie Peters
Lol. Define “grown up life”. Haha. Kidding. I’d get a kick out of going back in time and seeing the David you taught.
We are actually here in Franklin Co Va, but my parents live in Quinter KS and love visitors. Strangers become quick friends in a small town. My dad owned a mechanic shop there for many years and constantly brought strangers in for lunch, supper, overnight, you name it. Not the safest of choices but certainly impactful on his kids. 😊
laceykeigley
That makes a lot more sense! I thought you guys were in VA but then I thought maybe I had forgotten the details — And I love that your dad did this. It’s so wonderful!
Oh yes. The David stories. I was only maybe two years into teaching and David was a senior and already much taller than me. Ask him about our yearbook class. Oh goodness.