Friends have been asking me to join Toastmasters for the longest time. Last year, I finally caved because I thought, “Why not? I hate public speaking but it will be a learning experience, right?” So I flexed my essay writing skills, whipped up an “Ice Breaker” speech in 2 days, and gave it the title “The Greatest Story I’ve Ever Heard.”
Disclaimer: I’m not a seasoned speech writer. And as I’ve already mentioned, I wrote this in two days, with nary a draft or an outline to speak of. So please, be kind. ^_^
What do you think is the greatest story you’ve ever heard or read? What tale comes to mind when somebody asks you this particular question?
Now, while we all simmer that query in our noggin’ and hope to high heaven our collective grey matter conjures up something that remotely resembles a passable answer, let me first say this bit before I proceed… and because I must.
Toastmaster President Mr. Polancos, fellow toastmasters, guests… Good evening!
I’m Line Arias. Please, please call me Line. I’m a writer… who fancies herself a wordsmith, a tale mender, and a wannabe world conjurer.
I love reading books and writing stories.
It may be an activity that can become borderline gossip-mongering sometimes… but I’ve been striving to correct that particular bad habit. It’s been an uphill climb but I’m seeing some progress so I’m hopeful. (*fingers crossed)
Yes, I love stories, anecdotes, tales, myths, whatchamacallit. I have always been a big fan of them. From my childhood to the present day, from urban legends to established mythologies to moving pictures to paperback dime novels, I was never really picky. I devoured all the tales I could get my hands on.
And that’s probably why I’m also very fond of the phrase “what ifs”. For many, that phrase may conjure sad imageries and all kinds of FOMO scenarios. But for me, it held infinite possibilities… worlds beyond human comprehension, characters none has ever heard of before, and realities that defy the very laws of physics.
But I digress.
At the start of this soliloquy, I posed this question, “What do you think is the greatest story you’ve ever heard or read?” And no, I won’t be talking about me, my life story, or even my favorite book. You see, the most amazing tale I’ve heard is not about me but it is the most important ongoing tale associated with my life. After all, God knows, literally, that the world doesn’t revolve around me.
What I’m talking about is the story of how God the Father loves me so much that He sent his only son Jesus Christ to save me (… and the rest of the world, of course. But this is my monologue so bear with me here.) And no matter how many times I disappoint and break His heart, He has never abandoned me or left my side. Sometimes, I just have bouts of insensitivity and fancy myself the lone wolf. But in reality, I’m never truly alone because He is with me. My rock. My best friend. My great love. Corny but true.
So when people call me an introvert…
(and I’ve never really had a problem with that. In fact, I myself have called “me” that.) strangely, I didn’t really mind because I’ve never really felt truly lonely.
Before, I thought it was probably because I rarely cared what people, or the world in general, think of me. I had my own worlds, you see—my own people, creatures, and scenarios—thriving in my head. But then I discovered it wasn’t actually that. What it was, is that I know in my bones, in my heart of hearts, that He is always there. And if I need Him, I need only turn to Him… for comfort, for wisdom, for joy.
And what’s more amazing is that He knows me, and what’s best for me. Case in point, I’ve been invited to this organization several times in the past and by different people, too. But when I think about speaking in public, the very thought gives me the heebie-jeebies and so I just smile, shake my head, and say “No.” But apparently, He has other plans for me and when I decided to listen to that, He revealed to me all the wonderful possibilities Toastmasters may enrich my life. So I gave in and finally said “Yes!”
Yeah, I love reading stories as much as I love telling or writing them.
However, that’s not really the most important thing you need to know about me. The most important thing you need to know about me is that Jesus loves me and has saved me from sin. However, that doesn’t mean I’m now claiming to be a saint and unable to make mistakes or commit sin. Of course not, because I’m still human.
But I have realized what is the greatest story that I’ve ever heard. And because of it, I have been saved by grace. So now, I can’t wait to learn how to tell others about Him and what He has done in my life. So they can also hear this great story and be saved by Him, and never be alone ever again.
And amazingly, I can’t wait to get started!
It’s been almost a year since I delivered this speech and I haven’t had the guts to do a follow-up yet. But maybe I’ll revisit that notion soon. Maybe. In the meantime, if you wanna read some stories our wonderful friends have kindly shared with us about how they’re coping during this pandemic, check out their Quarantine Stories here: