My chronicle has been a harrowing tale of life and death, tragedy and mischief. Readers may not know which part is fictional and which part (if any) is a real story. That’s a truth about great stories, it’s usually the true ones we remember.

True stories, great tales help us reach beyond, outside, above, even inside occasionally to see our best selves. We try to cheer on the hero, or lament the injustice of the oppressed. We identify with the challenges, struggles and frustrations of our fellow human beings.

Great tales touch as at our deepest fears and inspire us to our highest good. They contain the whole nitty-gritty of human experience. And the heroine, if there is one, wins. At least in my story she does.

I am not bragging my story is a great story, just that I know what a great story is because I have read some. The people in it make my heart beat. Their stories become my story when I run my race and don’t give up, like heroes do.

Victories in stories become our own- when we cheer along side characters to not quit against formidable odds. Impossibilities- really. A hero is the one who doesn’t quit in the face of the impossible. When there is no hope, a hero says- yes, there is.

“There is always hope,” says Samwise Gamgee in the film, Lord of the Rings, right after being saved from the dripping jaws of a devouring beast. Or was it Aragorn? The warrior who sees a handful of rag tag soldiers, brimming with fear and bumbling in their gear- the howling wolves of Mordor raging at their door?

Even if your hanging on by a thread, you believe it. Something inside says darkness cannot win. Evil cannot reign unchecked. Even in the impossible labyrinth which is the modern technological world, where who knows What? or Who? is behind the scenes waging war, we can have hope.

There are beasts, there is darkness, deep and horrifying where such things dwell. There is hate that will eat us alive and drag our souls to the pit of hell, if we let it. But, there also is a God Who says: “Call on me and I will show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

He’s cheering us on. He’s ten steps ahead of the monsters, the destroyers, the profane and hateful ones who deny Him. Jesus is roaring like a lion. And, He is not afraid. And, He lives in me. Nothing can stop me now!