If you had to summarize your life in six words, what would they be? Several years ago an online magazine asked that question. It was inspired by a possibly legendary challenge posed to Ernest Hemingway to write a six-word story that resulted in the classic “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” The magazine was flooded with so many responses that the site almost crashed, and the responses were eventually turned into a book. Not Quite What I Was Planning is filled with six-word memoirs by writers “famous and obscure.” Here are some of the memoirs that range from funny to ironic to inspiring to heartbreaking:

  • “One tooth, one cavity; life’s cruel.”
  • “Savior complex makes for many disappointments.”
  • “Cursed with cancer. Blessed with friends.” (This one was written by a nine-year-old boy with cancer).
  • “The psychic said I’d be richer.”
  • This one was only five words: “One long train to darkness.”
  • “Tombstone won’t say: ‘Had health insurance.'”
  • “Not a good Christian, but trying.”
  • “Thought I would have more impact.”

The challenge of the six-word limitation is its demand to focus on what matters most, to capture briefly something of significance. How would you summarize your life, or just last year, or maybe this upcoming year, in six words? (from preachingtoday.com)

Share yours.

I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in and through you in 2016!

57 Comments

      1. Jerry,
        What I mean is I am one mother I have one child and I have one hope for her in life. I want her to know God and be lead down the right paths not paths of wrongness. But along with her following the correct paths I want to be able to join her. I want to follow God with her. I want her to know that not olnly is God here for her so am I we are doing this together.

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  6. Random thoughts:
    -God chose Jonah to go to Ninevah, knowing Jonah would run. . . God had a message and work to do in Jonah’s life as well as for Ninevah
    -I also was wondering why Jonah didn’t just jump instead of asking to be thrown in; but then I remembered all the times I’ve been scared to jump-
    Jonah’s 6-word story Scared to Jump Throw Me In,
    . . . Maybe mine would be “Not over yet, Always New Beginnings”
    Mary Kay

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      1. Yes, I agree! I’m just thrilled I heard the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart before it was too late. I want my trials, illnesses and suffering to be useful in helping others. So much to do! I should have possibly said:
        “Time to do so much more!”

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    1. I love Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you a hope and a future.” However, Jeremiah 29:13 is equally as important: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Keep seeking.

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