We each have a story to share....

Tonight, I watched a powerful film about finding a family among people that once were considered your enemy. The movie I watched was "The Freedom Writers" starring Hilary Swank (I believe it is out on video). She plays a teacher in California, to a group of high school students who are thought by certain education authorities, would not get far in life because of their station in society, so why expend our energies on them. Her class were made up of Latinos, Black, Asians and one white guy. This movie is based on a true story of how she found a way to relate to these students in a language and matter they would understand. The title comes from one of their assignments - a journal book. Every day they were to write in it - whatever it is good or bad. You saw the trust and respect coming from both the teacher to student as well as student to teacher, as they learned about each other.

One of the topics that came up was Anne Franks. The teacher in their sophormore year, had assigned this book to read. For these students who face gangs, pressures from family and peers every day, were so moved reading the story of this young girl. One of the most powerful moment in the movie was the lady, Miep Gies, who helped publish the story of Anne Franks was brought to their school to meet these students. Learning more of that day they took Anne Franks from the home she and her family was hiding during WW2 from someone who was there - WOW.

In 2003, I had the opportunity to walk through the home of Anne Franks in Amsterdam. It was a humbling experience seeing the space she lived while hiding because she was a Jew. One of the quotes in the pamplet I have says the following:

"I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people. And therefore I am so grateful to God for giving me this gift of writing, of expressing all that is in me!" Written by Anne Franks on March 25, 1944.

Each of our lives are full of stories, stories that could stay private, but if through sharing even a story or two of what happened in your life to another - you might be surprised how much of an impact it might have on that person's life.