30. Faith

Public school..... I hated it.... or at least strongly disliked it. I had heard that public school was a "nice" place. But I found that to be a lie. I couldn't share my faith, which I had tried to do on 4 different occasions, and 2 of those times my teacher overheard me and sent me to the  principles office. I had made a couple of friends, they weren't so bad, one was Baptist, the other a Lutheran. But they didn't really share there faith much, but they were nice. But little did I know I would soon be done with school for good.

I quickly grabbed my books out of my locker and started outside. "Hey, Joshua! Wait up!." I looked back to see a girl from my history class. Her name was Sandy. "Yes?." "Hey, I heard you talking to Daren yesterday about God and stuff? Do you truly believe in something that doesn't exist?." "Yes, I believe in God and He does exist." "You seem so sure, but don't Christians believe that the earth is only like a little over 6,000 years old?." "Yes, and in my denomination we also believe that God made the earth in 6 literal days and that Saturday is the true Sabbath." "Okay, but there is no God and the earth is millions of years old." "Well, I guess it is easier to believe that the earth was made by a "big bang" and  we evolved from apes then to believe in a God who made this earth and everything in it," I said in a sarcastic way. She half smiled. "Well, maybe there is a God.... well, anyway, I must get going now, see you around I guess." "Wait, read this," I handed her a small king James bible, I always kept one with me in case I found someone in need. "Thanks." "Your welcome, see you later." I smiled and started walking home. I felt happy with myself, maybe public school wouldn't be so bad after all.
After a few minutes I soon realized I was being followed by 2 boys from school. I was only maybe 10 minutes from home. I felt scared especially since these were two of the best football players of the school. After a bit I no longer felt scared but annoyed. I quickly turned around and started to walk towards them. "Is there something I can help you with?" I asked. The taller of the two stepped forward. "I want to know what you were doing talking to my girl?". "Calm down bro, I am not trying to steal your girlfriend or anything, she just wanted to know about my religious beliefs." He grunted. "Liar now tell me the truth." "I am telling the truth, now just leave me alone." I turned to go but he grabbed my arm. "Your trying to steal my girlfriend aren't you!." "I said no! I'm not trying to do anything of the sort! Now leave my alone!." I tried to get free but suddenly he pulled out a knife and stabbed me in the stomach area. I looked down at my stomach, blood was pouring out. "You - you stabbed me? You stabbed me.....?" I fell on the ground. He seemed just as surprised as I was. "I'm - I'm sorry.... I'm sorry." He quickly ran off, but his friend didn't. He knelt down beside me. I started to cough up some blood. "I'm calling 911, just hang on." In one hand he had his phone, and with the other he tried to stop the bleeding. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. "Tell your friend that I forgive him, and tell my family not to press charges, I do forgive him." I coughed up more blood. "No, just hang on, you can tell them yourself!." "No friend, I wont be able to, I'm going to die." "But you cant! You still... you still need to talk to me about your faith." I squeezed his hand. "Do you believe in that Jesus Christ died for you?." Yes.” “Then tell Him your sorry for all the wrongdoings you have done and He will forgive you.” I could just barely here sirens in the distance. "There coming! Just hang on a little longer!."  Tears rolled down his face. "And, tell my family, I love them." He slowly nodded. I saw the flashing lights, but I knew that I would be dead before they even stepped foot out of there ambulance. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Believe in Him friend, and I'll see you again." As I slowly closed my eyes I remembered that even on the cross Jesus forgave His murderers, and I was at perfect peace with God, and I knew that the next thought I'd have would be when Jesus calls me from the grave.