The other day, I was looking at the messages in my yearbook and I came across this message from Steph Sapok, a good friend of mine. Part of it reads:

"I can never thank you enough for being there for me and making me feel better whenever I needed it. . . I'm so glad you moved to New Jersey so we all got a chance to meet such a wonderful person. . . Thanks for being one of my true friends that has stuck by me!"

Throughout my life, I have always tried to be the best friend to everyone around me. But without the Lord's help, I would not be the person that others need.

I can't change people's lives; only God can. I know that I can't take on the world's problems alone, but Philippians 4:13 reads:

"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."

I have learned that we are like mountains, hard on the outside and unyielding. I cannot move mountains when I try to be there for someone; I can only cast away pebbles along the side. But as a Christian, the pebbles I cast are not to move the person, but to open them up to the Lord, who can move them from within.

I admit, it's not always easy trying to be there for someone. Many people refuse to admit that they are in need and try to push you away. But did Jesus ask anyone before dying on the cross for them? It never crossed his mind.

Everyone that knows me knows that I have endured several difficult trials recently. I lost some important dreams and goals in my life, but at the same time, the people I strive to be there for have seen the beauty God has placed into my life. My run of bad luck consisted of losing my prom date, being rejected by my two dream colleges, and getting seriously injured and not being able to compete against Ayo. But the Lord has blessed me and has given me peace.

He has given me so much love and has shown me glimpses of His higher goals for my life.

My friends ask me often how I dealt with my situation so well and I reply by quoting Second Corinthians 12:10, which reads:

"Therefore, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for when I am weak, then I am strong."

The same quotes from the Scripture I offer everyone. God can make you strong, through any situation, if you take the time to trust in Him.

God's mission for me involves moving. Throughout my life, I have moved from California to Virginia, to New Jersey. And soon, I will be moving to Houghton, a Christian College in New York, and from there, who knows? But I do know that I am in God's hands. I know that God's plan for me will succeed.

With His love, I will change people's lives. And I can offer them the same love from God.

Let us pray:

Lord, we have come to realize that we need your guiding hand to get us through the hardships in life. Help us to extend our hands to our neighbors and to guide them to your healing grace. All glory and honor to you, Lord. Amen.

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