Laura Tremaine’s new book quickly hit my favorite’s list as I read it this month. She titled it Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First. and each chapter answers a question with a series of her life stories. She can weave a story and bring the reader up close through her honest details. I looked forward to reading each chapter and was given the gumption to sort through and share my own stuff.
Chapter Nine asks “Where are your magical moments?” and shares some of her stories of magic. I love a section from her intro to this chapter: “Some moments in our lives are unexplainable. They have a little bit of glitter on them, a little bit of the supernatural. Sometimes the magic shows up as an omen or sign; sometimes something impossible happens or someone knows something they couldn’t have possibly known, and yet they do. The more logical among us might try to reason these things away, but deep down, we know it when there is something special about an interaction or an event.”*
I am a firm believer in the supernatural and I like thinking of this, as Tremaine puts it, as an event “with a little glitter on it.” Some happenings don’t hold a good explanation other than pointing to the supernatural. The author shares some great stories and then asks you to answer the question. An answer came to my mind as I read. I can point to this feeling of magic the spring break my college Bible study traveled by van to Topeka.
We arrived at a brick two story building that housed The Bridge- an after school program for local children. We made camp here and spent the week serving the ministry and surrounding area. During this week, I felt a special energy- as if I was more alive then I had been before entering Topeka.
As I taught lessons on the Easter story to the kids, helped with their Wednesday night program, went to an area school to tutor, and shot basketball hoops with children, it felt as if I was doing exactly what I was created to do. The week was a delight, a thrill, an arrow pointing me toward my future.
I don’t remember all the details from that week with The Bridge Ministry, but I do remember the emotion and energy. This past magic guides my present reality. I plan to open my own after school center someday. I can’t explain how I know this is an important part of my future life story, but I know. The week held a little bit of glitter and a whole lot of joy.
When you think of the supernatural and not-quite-explainable, what stories come to your mind? It’s important to recall these events to remind us that many things happen behind the scenes before they show up in our life encounters. We need whimsy and wonder in our days, and the supernatural doesn’t disappoint. Remembering where you have noticed this magic provides richness for worship and imagination.
I repeat Tremaine’s question to you, “Where are your magical moments?” Share these stories with a friend. I went first, now it’s your turn.
-Kassie Joy
* Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First by Laura Tremaine Page 161
