God's Plan
by Elli, Redlands, Calif.
" For I know the plans i have for you" says the LORD, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future"Jeremiah 29:11
We hear that verse all the time, but do we ever follow up on it? We say, "o yeah, I'm following Gods plan," but do we mean it? I know its difficult for me. Last August, right before school, i thought i had my life all worked out. I seriously spent the last 2 weeks before break ending thinking about MY plan, and how this would be my 8th grade year, and we'd have so much fun not being the "scrubs" for an entire year, and i would have all my best friends and maybe start dating a guy i had been talking to ALL summer.... everything was planned out. Then you know what happened? God switched it all up. Things didnt happen at all like i had imagined or hoped. I wondered why he didn't go with MY amazing plan. Why he didn't see things MY way. But then i ended stumbling on Jeremiah 29:11. I tell you, it got me thinking about all those prayers i'd prayed complaining to God! I realized that He is well, GOD. He knows he plans he has for me. He knew them before i was even born! And now that i look back, i realized how right that verse was. I started going to church more. I realized the true meaning of friendship, and that boys make awesome FRIENDS. I built better relationships with my brothers and with my parents, even with seventh graders! God did an amazing work in me. And i would have never realized any of these things if God had just caved and done it my way. So the next time you think you have your life figured out, don't be surprised if God comes in and turns it all around... I guarantee you'll be happy with the outcome :)
Diary of an Ancient Soul
by Maddie, 15, Franklin, Tenn.
When my time came to first enter the world, God prepared me very carefully.
He designed my soul and crafted my body into something so unique, that no one else was exactly the same.
He was excited about my existence, and anticipated my arrival into the world.
He had big plans for me, but unfortunately, I couldn't see them.
Instinct was telling me to go my own way, and naturally, I did just that.
I walked in my own direction, feeling so empty and confused, yet so sure about where I was going.
How could I not see God pointing the other way?
I should have read the signs.
Just when I thought I had found my way, I fell into a seemingly endless hole.
I cried for help, and surprisingly was offered assistance.
These beasts, so persistent, looked enticing to my flesh.
But these worldly medications only distracted me from the fact that I was falling.
My speed increased and strong winds blew me around, as if I was lost in a storm.
I screamed and cried and clawed at the walls, but they were slick and flat and too far apart.
At that point I knew there was no hope left and I would cease to exist once I hit the bottom.
I could finally see the end and cried one last time for anything real.
Just then I saw a shiny spec get closer and closer, until it morphed into a sword!
I then closed my eyes and prepared for my ending, but the sword caught me.
It cut deep within my soul and revealed to me my weaknesses.
I hurt and my heart was pounding so hard you could see my chest throbbing.
The world was completely shut out.
I listened to this remarkable piece of armor and its words.
I was depressed because I had already sinned, but it showed me the light, the Son, and I cried a joyous cry.
I gladly accepted his request into my life and his gift of sacrifice for my wrong doings.
Next, I heard all of heaven celebrate.
But then they all became silent, and God Himself sang a song.
Oh the song He performed!
The melody so beautiful, only God could describe it.
The lyric so intense, only He could write it.
It was so colorful and deep, its passion so emotional, no soul could ever comprehend it.
Its love so spectacular, an infinite amount of universes could share it.
From then on, my journey on earth was spent with God leading the way.
When my Judgment Day came, God spoke the words I had longed to hear from Him.
I was so honored to be His good and faithful servant.
Through the millions of forevers I have spent in Heaven, I have looked back at my time on earth.
I would have changed so many things, if only I had realized how selfish I was.
How could I have not realized that my time on earth was just a measly millisecond of my entire life?
And yet such an important one.
What if I had never cried that last cry?
What if I had ignored what the sword revealed to me?
Oh the doom I would have experienced!
Oh how thankful I am that Jesus was the final sacrifice!
Oh how happy I am to live forever in the presence of the one who created me!
Photography
Gracie Gralike, 18 St. Louis, Mo