Friends

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school.
It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring all his books home on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."
I had quite a weekend planned, football, and chores which the orphanage had for me, so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.
They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.
I knew that look, I had it many times myself and my heart went out to him.
So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They have done the same to me."
He looked at me and replied, "Hey thanks!"
There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.
As it turned out, he lived near the orphanage, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.
He said he had gone to private school before now.
I would have never hung out with private school kid and no one would actually hang out with me so I guess we both new the truth.
We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.
I asked him if he wanted to go to the football game that night, I had to play, but I could get him on the sidelines.
He said yes. We hung out all weekend, him helping me with my chores and the more I got to know him, the more I liked him.
Monday morning he met me at the end of my driveway with all his books. I stopped and said, "You are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday."
He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, he and I became good friends. When we were seniors, and began to think about our futures.
He was going to be an actor or in the movie business, and I was going to be a minister and businessman.
He turned out to be valedictorian of our class that year.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd, and he always teased me about just beating me out of the honor.
He had not prepared a speech for graduation. I sure was glad it wasn't me up there speaking.
He looked good, he was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.
I was often jealous of him, and graduation day was one of those days.
I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great."
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and with a little reluctance began, "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach, but mostly your friends.
I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.
He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.
He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom would not have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.
"Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard a gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions.
With one small gesture you can change a person's life.
For better or for worse.
God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.
Look for God in others.
Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.