A
story that’s suitable for Touched by the Hand of God will tell about a
noteworthy moment or event when God left an indelible handprint on your
life.
Many of these events are answers to our prayers. Others seem to “come out of the blue.” For example, your story might…
- Tell how an unexpected but much-needed helping hand (an angel heaven-sent?) came your way when you needed it most.
- Describe a chain of events that fell into place at a critical time in your life, setting you on a different path.
- Relate a small, quiet moment of comfort, guidance or revelation that lifted your spirits, gave you hope, etc.
- Report a life-changing, even miraculous event.
If
writing is not your thing, no problem! And don’t think that your story
has to be high drama. If you share your story, God’s handprint will
shine through.
With that in mind, use this checklist as you write your story:
1. Report the events as clearly and concisely as you can,
in a way that anyone with no knowledge of the situation (or the people
appearing in it) can understand what happened and how you/your loved
ones were affected.
It may help to read your story aloud to
someone who’s not intimately familiar with what happened in your story.
Then ask them if they understood the events you described and could
keep up with who did what or who said what.
(If all this sounds
intimidating, just do this: simply tell your story in a plainspoken way
– like you are telling it to a friend who’s never heard it before.)
Additionally,
feel free to include a few sentences about what this event or moment
has meant to your own spiritual journey. This is not required, however.
2. Which of the below categories best describes your story?
Stories are indexed on the Web site in the following three categories.
When you send in your story, you may wish to note the name of the
category you think your story belongs to: The Miraculous Hand of God
(i.e., saving and protective, healing); The Guiding Hand of God (i.e.,
instructive, revelatory, grace-giving); The Uplifting Hand of God
(i.e., comforting, caring, inspiring, creative)
3. Please keep story length to 600 words,
although it certainly need not be that long! If used, your submission
may be edited for length, clarity, grammar, etc., but its essence will
not be changed.
4. You are welcome to submit more than one story
if you have been so blessed! Please make sure, however, that they are
materially different and not simply variations upon a previously
submitted story.
5. Please note that anonymous
submissions or "hearsay" stories cannot be accepted, due to potential
legal liability, without first contacting us via the below form. Please
refrain from submitting material containing unsavory situations,
inferences or language.
6. If you are an author who would like to share your own previously published material, please know we are happy to consider it (a handful of stories on the site are reprinted with permission). HOWEVER, you must FIRST
contact us via the below form to to advise us of your interest before
sending your previously published material, and you must possess the
copyright. We apologize for the extra step, but it is necessary in
order to comply with copyright laws. If we do post your story, your
copyright and permission notices will be included at the end of your
story.
Ready to submit your story? Great!