The story only God knows

This week marked the deaths of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson as well as untold others around the globe.  And more will pass from this life tomorrow.  What we see of a persons life is just a fragment of the real story going on...the story only God knows.

While driving through Phoenix the other day I was explaining to my oldest son that in every car around us was at least one story that only God knows. 

We passed a car with a man, woman and two children dressed in a suit and dresses.  No smiles.  No talking.  I wondered...where were they going and what was the occassion on that Tuesday morning.  Only God knows.  What was each of their stories?

In another car was a young lady laughing as she was talking on her cell phone.  What was her story?  What was going on in her world?  Only God knows.

In my car was a 51 year old  married man, a 28 year old single man, a 14 year old boy, and an 8 year old boy.  Each one with a different story.  Each one presenting a life with much more beneath the surface.  Only God knows the stories.

Ed's life was filled with times of joy and sorrow.  Some of the story we knew.  Some we did not.  The story of his life made him into who he was.  And only God knew the real story.

Farrah's life was filled with times of joy and sorrow.  Some of the story we knew.  Some we did not.  The story of her life made her into who she was.  And only God knew the real story. 

Michael's life was filled with times of joy and sorrow.  Some of the story we knew.  Some we did not.  The story of his life made him into who he was.  And only God knew the real story. 

Our story does not give us excuses to live the life we want.  We are given the opportunity by God to change and enjoy the life he blesses.  Our story is what we must deal with and continually give to God so that he is in control of all.

But understanding that everyone you meet has much more going on beneath the frown or smile.  Only God knows the whole truth...the whole story.  And only God can change that life.  So let us be story tellers of what God has done in our lives.