The Story of Life

Editor’s note: Each month, the CCW blog features one of our members. This month, John Cowgill reflects on the stories that unfold around him.

By John Cowgill

Life is a series of stories, but only a few are ever written down. Each story is different from the other. Each one’s story begins at birth, and the story does not end until the day life ends. The stories are fast-paced and slow-paced, but every story has meaning to someone—from large crowds to just one person. It can be a novel, a short story, a journal or a poem. No story is a waste.

As I go about my day, I observe stories happening all around me. As I see these stories unfold, I see more stories unfold within them. They are stories with happy endings and sad endings. They are about heroes and sacrificial people who inspire us and losers who depress us.

In elementary school, I discovered the joy of writing stories. Unfortunately, my stories were met with much discouragement from many teachers and acquaintances. But there were bright spots of encouragement from those who looked forward to what I had written. During high school, I withdrew from writing stories, from everyone, really. At that time, I felt God leading me to write particularly films, but there were no opportunities. Both my school and church had closed the doors to movies.

My interest in motion pictures led to my being banned from that church. However, at another church, I saw opportunities unfolding before my eyes. I started writing stories to promote activities, and people liked them. Some asked me to write one an Easter Pageants for the church. Although the choir members supported my pageant, the music leaders tossed it without reading it. It bothered me at first, but at that time, I did not see what God was seeing. Now I do.

I changed churches again, to one more receptive to my writing. I later joined the Fellowship of Christian Filmmakers. I am now part of NoVa Christian Film, and many different writing groups. I’m a graduate of the Long Ridge Writing School Short Story program. I regularly write railroad articles for the D.C. Examiner.

I might have received discouragement in my younger years as a writer, but today I have encouragement from a variety of sources and people. As I continue to live my life, my story continues. I might not know what part of this story I am currently in, but as God continues to unfold it, I will continue to write about it and other stories He has given m