Anyways, these pass couple of weeks have been tough, mainly because my minister resigned from her position at our church. I was sorta thrown off a little from my path. But I started thinking to myself about the "minister" I am, how I represent Christ. In fact, it seems I lost contact with him, even though he was still there. Looking upon how issues are addressed in school, my religious study, and, most importantly, the way I acted before God, I wasn't proud of myself...
About a week ago, I had an epiphany. I would like to share what happened.
"So I don't think I could have had a more blessed night. Don't believe in being blessed? Don't believe in blessings? Please read this, hopefully this will change your mind:)
So it starts to rain, right after the Aledo Homecoming Parade, and I realized I left my uniform bag on the bus. I talked to Mr. Paul with Grace, and he tells me he tried to help, but I will have to wait until tomorrow. After I sort of get over the fact I don't have my shoes, I come to see that I don't happen to have my keys, wallet, or cell phone, because they are all in my uniform bag. I see Mr. Paul again, and he says that I can maybe try the Bus Barn to see if I can get in the bus. And so it began...
I ran through the pouring rain, with everyone giving me looks of confusion, some getting some cheap laughs. Anyways, I reached the Bus Barn and banged on the door as much as I could. No answer. After about 5 minutes of trying, I gave up. I didn't know what to do, so I looked up and asked for help. I then sat on the sidewalk figuring out what to do, when I saw a man get out of a Blue Mini Cooper. I ran over and begged for help. After I explained my situation, he examined the situation, and said that Bus 1 was on the South Bus Barn. I sat with dispair, and once again didn't know what to do. He then called the south Bus area, and told me, although that no one was up there, he would help me get a ride up to the barn.
The thing was, do I trust a stranger. I didn't really think at all anything but I have no other choice, so I got in the Mini Cooper. After we got on 1187, he told me his name. Clint, it seemed peaceful, somewhat relaxing. Anyways Clint turned out to be a really nice guy. So we arrived at the Bus Barn, and all entrances were locked. Another obstacle that was in the way. While he was calling his co-workers, I saw a mechanic in the building that looked out at us. I got out of the car as soon as possible, and stood in the rain jumping and waving my hands to try and get his attention. After he saw me, he sent someone over to come unlock the gate. Just then, Ryan Golden showed up in his truck with Johnathan Bravo, also needing his cell phone. We both got inside, and they let us into our buses to get our stuff. I found my bag, as well as Grace's bag, sitting where they were left, with everything in them.
Ryan was not able to find his cell phone, so if anybody sees his cell phone, please give find Ryan. It is in his hat box.
Now back to the story. I came up to Clint, and I thanked him, as well as offered to pay him. He refused the money, and said it was not a problem. I turned to Ryan and asked if I could get a ride to the school, and he was more than happy to.
As I arrived the school, Johnathan and Ryan made sure I had everything, and once again, I was denied the right to pay the person who helped me. I came to see that the doors were luckily unlocked, and Mr. Albin was still in the band hall. He was able to help me take care of all of the rest of my problems. I couldn't have thanked anybody more for what they did for me tonight, especially since they helped me without anything in return.
All of these people, Mr. Paul, Ryan, Johnathan, the mechanics, Mr. Albin, and especially Clint, seemed to be there to help exactly when I needed them. I without a doubt believe that these people were there not by coincidence, but by God. I couldn't be any more blessed tonight, and so I thank all that helped me, and especially God."
So it starts to rain, right after the Aledo Homecoming Parade, and I realized I left my uniform bag on the bus. I talked to Mr. Paul with Grace, and he tells me he tried to help, but I will have to wait until tomorrow. After I sort of get over the fact I don't have my shoes, I come to see that I don't happen to have my keys, wallet, or cell phone, because they are all in my uniform bag. I see Mr. Paul again, and he says that I can maybe try the Bus Barn to see if I can get in the bus. And so it began...
I ran through the pouring rain, with everyone giving me looks of confusion, some getting some cheap laughs. Anyways, I reached the Bus Barn and banged on the door as much as I could. No answer. After about 5 minutes of trying, I gave up. I didn't know what to do, so I looked up and asked for help. I then sat on the sidewalk figuring out what to do, when I saw a man get out of a Blue Mini Cooper. I ran over and begged for help. After I explained my situation, he examined the situation, and said that Bus 1 was on the South Bus Barn. I sat with dispair, and once again didn't know what to do. He then called the south Bus area, and told me, although that no one was up there, he would help me get a ride up to the barn.
The thing was, do I trust a stranger. I didn't really think at all anything but I have no other choice, so I got in the Mini Cooper. After we got on 1187, he told me his name. Clint, it seemed peaceful, somewhat relaxing. Anyways Clint turned out to be a really nice guy. So we arrived at the Bus Barn, and all entrances were locked. Another obstacle that was in the way. While he was calling his co-workers, I saw a mechanic in the building that looked out at us. I got out of the car as soon as possible, and stood in the rain jumping and waving my hands to try and get his attention. After he saw me, he sent someone over to come unlock the gate. Just then, Ryan Golden showed up in his truck with Johnathan Bravo, also needing his cell phone. We both got inside, and they let us into our buses to get our stuff. I found my bag, as well as Grace's bag, sitting where they were left, with everything in them.
Ryan was not able to find his cell phone, so if anybody sees his cell phone, please give find Ryan. It is in his hat box.
Now back to the story. I came up to Clint, and I thanked him, as well as offered to pay him. He refused the money, and said it was not a problem. I turned to Ryan and asked if I could get a ride to the school, and he was more than happy to.
As I arrived the school, Johnathan and Ryan made sure I had everything, and once again, I was denied the right to pay the person who helped me. I came to see that the doors were luckily unlocked, and Mr. Albin was still in the band hall. He was able to help me take care of all of the rest of my problems. I couldn't have thanked anybody more for what they did for me tonight, especially since they helped me without anything in return.
All of these people, Mr. Paul, Ryan, Johnathan, the mechanics, Mr. Albin, and especially Clint, seemed to be there to help exactly when I needed them. I without a doubt believe that these people were there not by coincidence, but by God. I couldn't be any more blessed tonight, and so I thank all that helped me, and especially God."
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 9:14pm-Facebook
After this happened I have completely renewed myself in God's image. I have started represent Christ again, and have reached out to those who need him. I am now back, and will hope to continue to be on the blog more. I couldn't think of a better way to see that God is always there, watching, and ready to be there for you. I miss you all! Stonewall brothers especially!
(P.S. : Sorry if this didn't follow the reading...)
sorry about the color:(
ReplyDeletejosh,
ReplyDeletei'm so glad that you had this night of people being Christ to you...especially Clint. in the pouring down rain late at night, i bet the last thing people want to do is help a high school kid get his stuff back off a bus in a bus barn. what an incredible example of how something so small in the scheme of things can make a big difference.
You know what I think is so cool?! The fact that you can thank God for a situation like that. Most people would simply think, "Oh, well, I got lucky because these people helped me." But instead, you took this as a time in which GOD was striving to purposely help you! That's great Josh! I hope you keep checking out the blog and posting...it's an awesome experience. (:
ReplyDelete