What's Your Story? “A time when a child spoke or revealed a truth that others needed to hear”

A memory that still awes my wife and I was when we were reading from the book, Bambi, to 5-year-old son, Peter. I was reading a portion of the story when the Great Stag and the young deer, Bambi were going down a path and found a dead hunter. (Yes, not expected from a book about Bambi. The movie version was much more delicate about such things.) Meanwhile, the Great Stag, who is a mentor to the young Bambi sees this encounter as a teaching moment. So, the Great Stag acknowledges the fact that hunter was like a god who feared the deer. However, in front of them is a dead hunter. Bambi questions how this happens and why. The Great Stag just simply said that there is "Another" who cares for all of us. Now this is where the power of the story makes an impression on our 5-year-old son, Peter.  Peter just simply said to Cathy and me, "Bambi found God!" We were just silent and very moved by a simple observation that Peter made. For us, that was a moment of faith to which our son, Peter, years later finds true for him as an adult. Yes, Peter will admit that he has grown and matured in his faith, but that memory is very clear. 

Jesus said to let the little children come to him and to not deny them. And indeed, that memory has been quite real and awesome for Cathy and me today.

Pastor John J Duling

 * What’s Your Story? 

This summer, we invited members of our Eastridge community to explore ABCs of Faith: Simple Stories for Complex Times. In this series, we will be exploring stories from the Bible that tell us about God and God’s people. But our faith is also carried through our own stories.

When someone asks, “What’s your story?” they’re asking about the moments that shaped you: the people, experiences, challenges, and turning points that made you who you are. Scripture is full of such stories—and so are we.  

Throughout the series, we’ll offer prompts connected to the themes we’re exploring. You’re invited to share a brief reflection on any prompt that resonates with you—especially a moment that changed your mind, your heart, or your life. Selected stories may be shared (with your permission) in our newsletter, devotionals, or even during worship.