Playbook 11: Tell the Stories
October 12, 2026 · 8 min read
Preserve the Moments That Made Them Who They Are
Every family has stories.
The ones you tell around the dinner table.
The ones that make everyone laugh.
The ones that still bring tears to your eyes.
The stories of scraped knees, championship games, bedtime prayers, family vacations, silly traditions, and unexpected miracles.
These are the moments that shape a family.
But here's something I've realized:
If we don't tell the stories, sometimes they quietly fade away.
Senior year is the perfect time to capture them.
Not because your child is leaving your family—they're not.
They're simply beginning a new chapter.
And before they step into it, what a gift it would be to remind them where they came from.
Tell them about the day they were born.
Tell them how you chose their name.
Tell them about the first time they rode a bike.
The funny things they used to say.
The teacher who changed their life.
The time they surprised you with their courage.
The moment you knew they were growing into the person God created them to be.
These stories are more than memories.
They become anchors.
They remind our children that they have always been deeply loved, even before they accomplished a single thing.
This Week's Challenge
Set aside one evening this week for "Story Night."
Turn off the television.
Put the phones away.
Ask everyone to share a favorite memory about your senior.
You might be surprised by the stories that come back to life.
Better yet—write them down.
Or record them on your phone.
Someday, those voices will become treasures.
Your senior may forget the details of high school. But they'll never forget hearing, "Let me tell you my favorite story about you." Those words have a way of reminding our children that they belong.
Lord, Thank You for every chapter of my child's life. For the joyful moments, the difficult seasons, the unexpected detours, and the countless ways You have been faithful through them all. Help me remember the stories worth telling and the lessons worth passing on. May our family always celebrate not only where we're going, but also where You've already brought us. Amen.
This Week's Checklist
- ☐Share your favorite childhood story about your senior.
- ☐Ask your senior what memory they hope they never forget.
- ☐Call or visit a grandparent and ask them to share a favorite story.
- ☐Record one family story as a voice memo or video.
- ☐Write down three moments that shaped your senior's character.
- ☐Look through old photo albums together for at least 30 minutes.
Memory Mission
Create a page titled:
"The Stories We'll Tell Forever."
Include:
- The funniest family memory
- The biggest challenge your senior overcame
- A favorite vacation
- A favorite holiday tradition
- A lesson learned together
- A story everyone tells every year
- A photo that makes everyone smile
These stories become part of your family's legacy.
“One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts.”
Psalms 145:4
Families are built not only by the moments they live, but by the stories they choose to remember.