Why Should I Write My Story?
By: Jimmie Aaron Kepler
“So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests…” Deuteronomy 31:9
Discover why writing your story matters. A memoir preserves your legacy, shares personal history, and inspires the generations to come. We’ll learn some lessons from Moses example on why you should write your story.
Now, that’s one of those verses that makes me smile. I picture Moses, tired from leading folks through the wilderness, sitting down with a steady hand to put words to parchment. He didn’t just speak into the desert air, hoping somebody would remember. He took the time to write it down. And because he did, you and I can still read those words today.
That stirs something deep in me. It reminds me that our words—yours and mine—aren’t just for now. They can live on, even when our voices are long gone.
The Power of Writing
Writing has a way of taking what is fleeting and making it last. Moses wrote the law, not so he alone would remember, but so God’s people across generations would have a record. Spoken words can be forgotten. Written words are anchors. They remind us of who we are, where we’ve been, and where God is leading.
I remember finding my later father-in-law’s letters written way back during World War Two. He was a pharmacist mate in the US Navy stationed on the southwest Pacific island of New Caledonia. He was corresponding to his future bride, my late mother-in-law. The handwriting was shaky, the grammar far from perfect, but the stories on those pages brought him back to life. I could hear his laugh, see the twinkle in his eye, feel the love grow between them, and feel the weight of his hard-earned wisdom as he served his country in his early to mid-30s during war. That old letters weren’t just paper. It was his voice carried across time. It was as if he were sitting with me instilling wisdom.
When you sit down with your notebook, journal, your laptop, or even the back of a grocery receipt, don’t dismiss what you’re doing. You’re building a record. You’re saying, “This matters enough to keep.” Whether it’s a poem, a prayer, or a scrap of family history, those words might bless someone you’ll never meet.
A Legacy Beyond Ourselves
Writing is a gift that reaches beyond us. Moses handed the law to the priests, ensuring it would be taught, remembered, and lived out. That’s the beauty of words written. The words travel farther than we can. They linger after we’re gone.
Think about a family recipe passed down from generation to generation. Maybe it’s your mama’s cornbread or your aunt’s peach cobbler. The paper might be worn thin, smudged with butter, but those instructions carry more than ingredients. They carry stories, laughter, and love from one table to the next.
Your writing doesn’t have to be polished or published to make an impact. Capture the memories, record the blessings, tell the stories, and share the love. Long after you’re gone, someone may pick up your words and feel seen, encouraged, or reminded of God’s faithfulness.
Joining the Faithful Scribes
Every time you write, you’re stepping into an ancient tradition. Moses wrote. The psalmists wrote. The prophets wrote. They didn’t know exactly who would read their words, but they trusted that the act of writing mattered. You and I are part of that same lineage.
I often write at the local coffee shop, Starbucks. Folks around me sip lattes, laugh over conversation, or scroll through their phones. I sit there with my laptop tapping away, just one more person with words to capture. And yet, I like to think that in some small way, I’m shoulder to shoulder with Moses, David, Paul, and all the scribes who came before.
Don’t underestimate your words. They might not feel important in the moment, but they matter. Whether it’s journaling your prayers, writing a devotion, sending your love in an email to family and friends, or crafting a story, you’re participating in a holy act of preservation. You’re adding your voice to the chorus of those who dared to write it down.
Takeaways
- Writing preserves truth. Just as Moses’ words survived the wilderness, your words can outlive your voice and tell your story.
- Writing builds legacy. Like a well-loved recipe or a family journal, your words may bless generations you’ll never meet.
- Writing joins a holy tradition. Every time you write, you follow in the footsteps of Moses and countless faithful scribes.
When I sit with my coffee and scratch out words, I like to think Moses would nod in approval. Not because my words are on the same level as his, but because I’m following the same practice. Writing is remembering. Writing is passing on. Writing is giving a gift. And friend, that’s worth sitting down and doing today.
Remember, writing your life story or memoir is more than words—it’s a gift. Learn how preserving your legacy and sharing personal history can inspire and guide generations ahead. Just follow Moses’ example.
Grace and Peace,
Jimmie
Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s non-fiction books at NONFICTION and his speculative fiction books written as Jim Kepler at FICTION.
