 |
|
|
Jimmy squirms restlessly in his seat while Miss Grundy reads the Sunday School lesson. A deep frown is etched on his face, and his eyes are spitting anger at everyone in the room. He wanted to go to the park and play ball with his buddies. “It’s not fair!” he mumbles. “All my friends get to go play this morning, and I’m stuck in this stupid Sunday School class!”. He keeps kicking the little desk in front of him as he fumes about having to sit in class to hear those silly stories. Even his parents said they were nothing but a bunch of fairy tales. If it wasn’t for his mean grandma he wouldn’t be here right now. His anger instantly shifts to her for making him come.
Logan is captivated by the story Miss Grundy is telling. In his mind he clearly sees the story she is telling. It is about Jesus and how he saves anyone that calls upon His name and believes in Him. Logan loves Jesus and has recently gotten saved. He doesn’t understand why Jimmy is so bored with hearing these stories. Both boys are in the same third grade class at school. Jimmy often makes fun of him by calling him a sissy Christian boy in front of all the other kids. Logan doesn’t like how mean Jimmy is, but he feels sorry for him. He’s heard his parents talk about how bad it is at Jimmy’s house, and they often lift his family up in prayers.
****
The years pass and Jimmy grows up to be the school bully. His meanness is often directed toward Logan. Sometimes he just says rude and hateful things, but there are times he gets physical. He’s known Logan since they went to Sunday school together and has always tried to get him to lose his cool. He delights in tormenting him and is determined to get him to retaliate, but he never does, which makes Jimmy furious.
Logan tries to hate Jimmy for all the hateful things he does, but it’s just not in his heart to stay mad. Somehow mercy and forgiveness always replace the anger and hate. Logan doesn’t understand it, but knows it is what Jesus would have him do. So he continues to pray for Jimmy.
****
More time passes and Logan is married with two children. He and his wife are strong Christians and youth leaders in their Church. He’s gone to college and works for a prominent marketing firm. His position doesn’t affect his personality though. He’s still kind and merciful with a big heart for others.
When Jimmy graduates from school, he is in jail within two months for severely beating a man in a drunken brawl. After he’s released he gets a job at the local gas station. He is still a rebellious angry man who handles life’s problems with his fists.
****
Late one night, a group of boys drive up to the gas station. While one boy stands watch, the others go inside to rob the place. When they leave, Jimmy has multiple stab wounds and is badly beaten.
Lying on the floor of the gas station, Jimmy is fighting to stay alive. His mind keeps going back to the Sunday school class so many years ago. Miss Grundy is talking about Jesus and how everyone who believes in Him are saved. All the violence of his life flashes through his mind and remorse fills his heart. Shame floods through him for all the wrong he‘s done.
“Jesus if you are real and you really love me like the Bible says, send someone to show me how to turn my life around. Save me if it‘s not too late!”
At that moment across town, Logan is lifting Jimmy up in prayer.
Before losing consciousness Jimmy hears Miss Grundy’s voice again.
“…everyone who believes in Jesus and asks for forgiveness will be saved.”
****
Jimmy struggles repeatedly to wake up, but can‘t quite make it. He hears distant voices before unconsciousness takes him again.
“Will he pull through Doctor?“
“I don’t know, it’s just too soon to tell.“
A man is praying. Jimmy opens his eyes to see who it is, and the tears fall down his face. With barely a whisper he says: “Thank you Jesus.
With compassion Logan smiles as he clasps Jimmy’s outstretched hand.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
