Same School, Different View

Well, I did it! I went to school..all..day..long! It was a long day. I was used to napping in the middle of the day! I was nervous when I first walked in, but I knew I had to get back to normal—as they keep telling me. I realized the one thing I didn't miss..school lunch. :P

My cousin, Noah, (the one in the accident with me) asked permission from all of his teachers to leave class early so that he could come and meet me at my class. I guess he thought I needed help walking to my classes. But, in all actuality, I am glad he did. Noah and I have been close since we were able to crawl around. My mom was Noah’s babysitter for all of his life (even now! Lol) and so we have always played together. I used to boss him around and steal his toys and make him dance with me all the time. Noah would always look out for me whether in school, at home with my brothers, or anywhere. Sometimes when you are around people all the time, you forget how much you appreciate them. Today, I remembered how thankful I am for having Noah in my life…even if he can be annoying!

As expected, I had a lot of people staring at me today. Some asked questions. Most were asking if I could see out of my eye. My replies were always the same...NOT YET! Inside, I want to express my faith every time someone asks me and tell people that I believe God will restore my sight. Sometimes I am bold about it and sometimes I just say, “not yet.” I know that this is definitely a stretching of my boldness in Christ. Most people know that I am a Christian because of my father being a minister. I am very involved in church and I am not ashamed of the gospel. It’s just that I have never been as vocal about it. I have always kind of kept my faith in Christ a private matter. But today, I realized how much people don’t really know or understand the truth about Jesus.

One thing I really appreciated today was 5th period. We ended up having a sub for the class. His name was Mr. Dixon. I believe he is a pastor in the community. He remembered me from our prayer summit we recently had at our church. He offered to pray with me. I was so encouraged by his faith, and it definitely helped me get through the rest of the day.

Walking into school today made me see things a lot differently. As much as I have walked the hallways, seen the same people day in and day out, today, I saw them differently. There are so many people that I see every day and life just goes on each day—the same old school day. But, what if God was to do something big enough in their lives to get their attention. How would people live different?

At this point in my life, God has my attention. I think about Him all day. I think of worship songs about Him all day. I put my trust in Him all day.

There is a story in Acts 3:1-11 that I want to share.

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

The man in this story lived his life the same old way every day. Everyone expected to see him at the gates begging for money. That’s all he knew to do. But the moment someone was bold enough to tell them that God still heals the sick, and they laid hands on him and prayed for him, everything changed. He jumped up and began praising God. Everyone around him did the same. Can you imagine how many lives were changed from the miracle that happened. Anyone who had doubts about Jesus, I am sure believed instantly! This is what I know God will use me for one day. I want people to know that He is real. I want people to realize that there is true life in Christ. They don’t need drugs, sex, alcohol, and popularity to have an awesome life. God has purpose for everyone. And I believe one day soon, God will use my testimony to shake my school, community, and my generation for Christ.