Everybody has a story. Everybody is looking for someone to listen to their story.

Let me tell you a secret …. interested is interesting. The secret to making friends is to be interested in their stories. If you show interest in others stories they will want to hear yours as well.

(words from Dan Ackroyd playing a father in the film ‘Loser’)

We all love to be listened to. We all like to be asked what is happening in our lives. We all get a little peeved with those people that just want to talk about themselves and do not seem to be interested in other people.

Too often, though, many of us think our stories are not worth bothering about. We feel no-one will be interested. I think because of that we tend to think the same about other peoples stories; that they are not worth listening to either.

Everybody has a story that is worth listening to. In fact, everybody has a story that we must listen to. If we do not listen, if we do not show interest what hope is there for us as church to reach out and show love to those around us.

Stories are key. Jesus used them (although we use the posh term of ‘parable’ to describe them). Good teachers and speakers use them. We love them because in some way we find we are able to connect with stories that we hear.

Today I am travelling about a bit and I am going to try and listen to the stories of others. Maybe I will tell my story in a little while. If any of you want to sare yours, I would love to hear them.

Today … I wish you an interested day.