“Why I Write”

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Column – March

By Megan Moss

Why do I write? As I grow older (and yes, I know someone of you will laugh because I'm still young) I ask myself, what is our purpose, why are we here? I know it is something many people struggle with. Entire books have been written on the subject. I don't begin to believe I know the answer, but I know that I have certain talents and certain skills, and I believe it is my duty to God to develop and use those talents.

I also feel like writing is an opportunity to share some of myself and my thoughts and beliefs, with other people, and, perhaps, have an impact on them. We all have stories. Even after I am not here to tell my story, my writing will speak for me. My story will go on through my children and so forth.

I love to hear people's stories, and share interesting stories I've heard. Most people love to hear a good story. If you have one (a story),, or several, or know someone who does, I'd love to hear about it so that we can share the good news. I have already had one recommendation, so please don't be shy if I call you up and ask you to share your stories. God has a way of making the extra-ordinary seem ordinary and vice versa, so don’t make the mistake of thinking that your own tale is unitersting or insignificant. Don’t belittle God’s gift to you!

So, of course, I'd like to share one of my stories. As many of you know, my husband is British. If it weren't for a crazy note I responded to on the wall of a youth hostel in Greece then we never would have met. In fact, the strange circumstances surrounding our chance encounter go back to my sophomore year in high school when I was doing poorly in French and my mother suggested we host a French exchange student for the summer. These and a string of other events led me to travel to Australia after I finished college, to meet this crazy pen pal. He wasn't Jon, but if it weren't for him, Jon and I wouldn't be together today.

Jon happened to be traveling in Australia at the same time and, as fate would have it, we both were staying at the same youth hostel. Being a social type of person, Jon talked to most of the guests, me included. We had a few fun evenings playing cards and talking, but nothing extraordinary or romantic. In fact, Jon was traveling with a female acquaintance. The morning of his departure I was surprised to find a note under my door with his name and address and a short message about staying in touch.

That was the beginning of our long-distance romance. Thirteen years, 3 continents, 2 languages (American and "English"), 4 houses, 2 apartments, 8 cars, 4 children, 4 fish, 2 cats and one dog later, we are still together. More surprising is the fact that we find ourselves here in Auburn. I know God has a purpose for bringing us here as well. Maybe one of those purposes was to write this column.