Christian Living
The Prom
© 2005
by
Stephen A. Peterson
Kim Littlejohn, a beautiful, 17 year old, Native American teen, walked quietly into the Wendy’s restaurant in Edmond, Oklahoma and ordered a value meal. Before she sat down, she could not help but notice a group of teenage boys and girls at the table next to her. It was obvious they were talking about her. It was not until she remembered she was wearing a copper bracelet around her left wrist that she became aware of what their discussion was about. Kim brushed off their reactions as ignorance. Their talk began to get to her, however, when one of the girls in the group mentioned, “the girl with the copper bracelet”. Kim looked the boisterous girl straight in the eye, placed her hand on the copper bracelet then responded, “Does this bother your?”
With that statement everyone in the mixed gender group began to laugh out loud. The girl Kim addressed said as she tried to fight back laughter, “Hey, sorry, but we were wondering why such a beautiful and young girl as you is wearing a bracelet in support of the war in Iraq. Don’t you know it’s an illegal war? We’re just involved in the Middle East just for the oil? That there is no WMD. You know that don’t you?”
Kim calmly sat down, wiped the tear from her eye, then asked the commenting teen to come over to her table and have a seat. An uncomfortable teenage girl got up and walked over to Kim’s table not certain as to what she might do. In a soft tone of voice, Kim said, “I wear this copper bracelet to bring awareness of the number of people killed by drunk drivers. I wear it in honor of my daddy.”
“Oh, sorry! Did he die as a result of a drunk driver?”
“No, he didn’t. He is alive but he’ll never walk again. My daddy is paralyzed from his neck down. My daddy used to carry me when I was a baby and little girl, read to me, provide my family with financial support, hold me close when I was sad and call me his princess. But now he can’t talk anymore and can’t even lift his hands to hung me anymore.”
“Oh,” the girl sheepishly replied,” okay.”
“And I wear this bracelet to honor my bother,” Kim went on.
“And he’s okay, too?” one of the boys asked.
“No. He died in that accident. He was the best big brother a girl could ever have. We could talk about all kinds of things. At the time, he was a Sophomore at the University of Central Oklahoma here in Edmond. He wanted so much to be a teacher because he had such a love for kids and math and learning. But on prom night a drunken couple ran into my daddy and brother while they were on their way home from a meal right here in this Wendy’s restaurant. I’m back here for the first time in two years to try to deal with my loss.”
Shaken and ashamed, the now embarrassed girl said, “I’m so very, sorry. I didn’t know. We didn’t know.”
“So, in the memory of my brother, too, I wear this copper bracelet, which allows me the privilege of enlightening others with regards to drunk driving, not just teens drinking and driving on prom night, but on any occasion. Even though that is the saddest day of my entire life, I want to make a statement to everyone who would get behind the wheel of a car and drive drunk. Because you never know. Anyone of you guys could end up feeling the way I do now.”
“We’re so sorry! Can you find it in your heart to forgive us? Please!”
“I forgive all of you as God has forgiven me for being angry for a long time after that accident.”
Then one of the boys in the group spoke up, “How can we get a bracelet like yours?”
“You can send away for one or you can buy a plastic one, and put someone you know who has died as a result of a drunk driver on it or just wear it as a symbol if you like.”
In past years hundreds of teens have been killed or seriously injured on the night of their prom across the United States. Additionally, hundreds of innocent teens, men, women and children are also killed or injured seriously by prom attendees. It is time that we end the tradition of under age drinking and driving and adults who drive drunk. The impact drunk driving has been and continues to be harmful and tragedic for all involved. Pray that this needless slaughter will end. Let the proms of 2005 be that start!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
Amen! The numbers are frightening. But we serve a God who, through both miracles and through people like Kim, is able to perform the impossible. I join you in prayer. Be blessed!
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 676 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Stephen A. Peterson or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 676 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.