Mom, did you ever feel like sticking a ‘want ad’
for a friend in the newspaper?” Kaitlin asked me as she walked in from
school.
“Yes, when I was in school, I was left out of many things,” I answered.
“Did your ‘want ad’ ever get answered?” she asked.
“Come here honey, let me tell you a story,” I began. “There was a time
in school that was hard for me. My dad had just lost his job, and my mom
had died three years before, giving birth to my little brother, Kyle. I,
Katy, was the oldest of three, and all of the responsibilities had fallen
to me at the age of thirteen. Since I was required to go straight home
after school, I never had time to talk to kids my age. Every day I would
wish for a friend, someone I could spill my heart out to, and tell all
my troubles.
When my mom was alive, we had enough money coming in. After she died
we had trouble keeping the bills paid. Our financial situation was very
hard on my dad - so hard that he told us that he was going to work a double
shift until we were back on our feet again. Little did we know that he
was wasting most of the extra money on alcohol. The little money he did
give me enabled me to get necessities for my brother and sister.
When my sister, Kay Lynn, was old enough to help me with the work around
the house, I had more time to myself, so I started to go to church. The
first day I was there I met many people, but one lady really stuck out
of the crowd. I heard people call her Aunt Grace, but I did not have time
to talk to her because dad was waiting at home for lunch.
Later during the week I heard a knock at the door. When I opened the
door, there stood Aunt Grace. With an astonished look, I invited her inside.
Seeing my expression, she reassured me by saying, “I just came over
to deliver this pie, and thought we could sit and chat a while if you have
time. I am sorry I did not get to talk with you Sunday. Why have you not
come to church before now?”
I looked at her and wondered if I should tell her. Realizing she was
waiting for an answer, I replied, “I have never had time to go before now.
There have always been too many things to do around the house.”
She looked at me with the kindest eyes, and I knew just then that we
would be good friends. She was three times my age, but that did not seem
to matter to her. The next thing I knew, she was telling me about her best
friend. I wondered what her best friend had to do with me.
Then she asked me, “Katy, do you know Who I am talking about?”
I shook my head no. How would I know her best friend, and why did that
matter?
“Katy, I am talking about Someone Who knows everything about you. He
knows all about your past and your future. If He were your personal Friend
you would not have to worry about anything because He would take it all
off your shoulders and put it on His. Won’t you let me tell you more about
Him?”
I still did not know about Whom she was talking, but I was definitely
interested in Him.
“I am talking about Jesus, Katy. He came on earth to die for sinners.
He gave His life for them. All He wants is your heart. Is that too much
to ask?”
Two months later, by God’s grace, I became a new person, and was baptized.
I think my dad saw the change in my life because weeks later he started
to come to church, and in time, as God worked in his life, he stopped drinking.
Kaitlin, your grandfather became a Christian before he died. Even your
Aunt Kay Lynn and Uncle Kyle became Christians, but most important to me,
I found ‘that friend’ that I would never trade for anyone else. Jesus Christ
was the answer to my personal ‘want ad’. Kaitlin, let Him be the answer
to your ‘want ad’, too." <>
Jamie Carman (16) resides in TN with her parents and her
older brother and sister.