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Lisa walks into her study hall. She smiles gratefully as she reviews her planner and realizes that there isn’t much homework on the list. She has an hour to finish it. That means she will have the entire evening free.
It’s an important evening because her old friend is coming for a visit. They haven’t seen one another for six months. Sure, they e-mail and sometimes talk on the phone but tonight they will be together again like old times.
Lisa moved to her new school just as the fall semester of her senior year began. She always finds it difficult to change schools even though she’s accustomed to moving often. Her father is a minister who specializes in organizing start-up churches. Lisa knows what he does and why. Still, it’s difficult to always be the new girl and lose touch with old friends.
She mostly misses her old friend, Robyn. They met at her previous school just as the two were entering high school. They befriended one another that first day while lost in the maze of high school registration and became immediate friends.
Robyn called two days ago asking to see Lisa. She said she needed to see her right away and sounded pretty desperate on the phone. She was even willing to drive the three hours to spend an evening. Lisa was excited as the prospect of seeing her old friend and gladly invited her.
When Lisa arrives home from school, her mom is in the kitchen preparing a special dinner for the girls. She dons a sweatshirt and considers her life as she studies her face in the mirror. How lucky she is to have two loving parents who teach her God’s way to live. She has grown up knowing that God’s laws are designed to protect her. Even her name, Elizabeth, in Hebrew means consecrated to God. She believes that God has an awesome purpose for her life. Her responsibility is to prepare herself for that life so she prays, studies, and works hard to develop her talents. By knowing God at an early age, she believes she has an advantage over those who fill their lives with sinful acts and regrets before giving God what’s left of their lives.
She is startled by the sound of the doorbell. “It’s Robyn,” she whispers. She runs into the hall as Robyn bounds up the stairs towards her. The girls squeal with delight, laughing and hugging each other. They joyously jump up and down in unison for several minutes.
Lisa shows Robyn her new room. The girls chat easily and within minutes it seems as though they have never been apart. Suddenly, Robyn stops smiling and soberly tells Lisa why she is there.
Robyn said she began using drugs shortly after Lisa moved away. At first, they were only meant to cheer her up. Then, she tried to sell some at school to pay for her own use. She thought she was having fun and being smart until she got caught selling drugs two months ago and was arrested. Now, she has a criminal record. She has to appear in court next month and hopes for a second chance. She tearfully asks Lisa, “What am I going to do?”
Lisa is shocked by her friend’s confession. Her speech falters for a few minutes as she tries to grasp the severity of the situation. She cannot believe that Robyn is involved in something so wrong and harmful. Robyn is obviously scared.
Lisa does what she always does. She prays. She tells Robyn that they must speak with her mom and get guidance from a parent.
Lisa knows that Robyn’s mom will be in court to speak for her daughter but otherwise doesn’t have the time or desire to be involved in her daughter’s life. During their two-year friendship, Robyn’s mom wasn’t available for emotional support. Robyn hasn’t had the training in God’s way that Lisa has had all her life. Lisa feels compassion for her friend.
As the girls walk into the kitchen arm-in-arm, Lisa is grateful that Robyn has come to her. Robyn respects Lisa’s mom and, hopefully, will listen to what she has to say. Perhaps after this incident with evil, Robyn will not waste any more of her life in fear and shame. Lisa recognizes that she can help her friend see that life is simply too valuable to throw away.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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