I’m not the same person I was in high school. How about you? Over the years, I’d like to think I’ve been growing in holiness. As a church secretary, I get to meet and work with some very interesting people. I’m sure these guys would say they are not the same guys they were in high school. We’re all growing in holiness.
Cheerleading, girls basketball, the school play. I tried out for them all in high school but never made any of them. I hung out with the cool, popular kids, but somehow I just didn’t feel like I was one of them because I was very shallow and materialistic back then. Working hard at anything, wasn’t my thing. There was no depth or holiness to my life, because I thought, the world revolved around me.
School
School kids can be mean. I remember a boy on the basketball team making fun of me saying that I looked like a monkey. Mix in a dose of acne, low self-esteem, and problems at home and you have the making of someone who probably needed therapy in their 20’s. Isn’t it funny that I still even remember that incident? It’s no wonder we have so many mental health issues in our world. Going to school can leave scars.
Even with problems at home, I thank God for a mom who loved to watch Billy Graham Crusades on TV and a dad who knew enough to drop his kids off at church on Sunday. I got the basics of Jesus’ ministry at a young age. The seeds had been planted, as they say.
Solutions
With all the shootings going on in our schools, something needs to be changed. How about we protect the classrooms with a cross or crucifix on the walls? What if we asked our priests and clergy to come in and bless the buildings and classrooms? What if we brought Jesus back into the buildings through prayer? If only people would figure out that Christ’s love and presence in our schools could cure a lot of ills in our lives, including the way we treat each other. I’m not anti-guns, but it’s not about the guns, but about the relationships that are built in schools.
There’s this thing that happens over time with Jesus. He prepares you for heaven during your life here on earth. In the silence of prayer, He speaks to your heart if you’re listening. God and his mercy is for everyone, especially school children.
I hope the boy who made fun of me in school never thinks about how he behaved back then, because there’s not too many of us who are still the same people we were when we were younger. I hope he has been growing in holiness, too.
Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14
What hurts from your past are you still hanging onto? It’s time to grow in holiness with a little forgiveness and a little prayer. Let go and grow. Your health and your heart will thank you for it.
Scripture is full of ways to grow in holiness. Read your Bible! Thanks for following along. Peace and God’s blessings to you all. I appreciate you. –Barb
Very true barb. Bring back prayers in school
Wow, Barb. I could tell some similar stories from high school of words that hurt me from some of our classmates. Funny how we never forget those hurts from our formative years. But when I think of those persons, I remind myself to “give them the opportunity to change”. I would not like to be judged on my high school years either. Our whole life is an opportunity to grow and change, but growing closer to the Lord is the only positive change we can make. <3 Thanks for sharing, and for the reminder I needed to continue to pray for them.
–Brenda
Thanks. I’m sure I’ve said some hurtful words in my past as well. Thankful for God’s grace and mercy and the chance to continue to grow in holiness. Have a great day!
Amen. I’ve asked God to remind me of hurtful words I have said too. He has given me the opportunity to ask forgiveness. For that I am thankful. Thanks for your encouragement, Barb!