Television and movies shaped my expectations of life. I learned to crave conflicts wrapped up in thirty minutes or two hours, complete with clear obstacles, satisfying victories, and tidy moral lessons. Entertainment taught me that every story should have a beginning, middle, and definitive end.

Real-life refuses to follow this script. Most of our stories remain unfinished, their pages still being written with divine guidance. We stumble through seasons of learning and transformation, wrestling with change, pursuing growth, but without the luxury of rolling credits when we’ve learned our lesson. Some struggles persist for years while we resist God’s direction, postpone difficult decisions, and cling stubbornly to familiar patterns.

I recognize this truth in my own unfinished narrative. When I meet someone new, I try to remember that their story, like mine, is incomplete and lacks a final chapter. They won’t often experience instant breakthroughs or sudden enlightenment during their spiritual journey. Their character development happens gradually, imperfectly, and authentically.

Perhaps the most meaningful gift we can offer each other is patience. To give the grace to let people continue writing their stories without our commentary or critique interrupting their process.