I graduated from high school eight years ago. In that time, I have lost touch with my former classmates. But living in my hometown, I sometimes run across my schoolmates from yesteryear.
That happened to me last week. I was at a meet-the-teacher night for the Mothers Day Out my son will be attending. As we were waiting for it to begin, all of my attention was on my boy. He was determined to collect every offering envelope and visitor card from the pew in front of us. As he began throwing the leaflet confetti into the air, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Standing there was a fella I graduated with. To be honest, I wasn’t all that excited to see him. In high school he was a real jerk, or at least that’s what I thought. I always felt he was arrogant and rude.
As I stood up to shake his hand, I was startled by the full enveloping bear hug thrown at me. I quickly realized that something was different. He smiled and we talked for a minute. He was kind, friendly, and genuinely caring. All that went through my mind was, “Hey, this cat reminds mf Jesus.” We only had a minute to converse because the program was beginning, but that meeting left a strong impression on me.
I was reminded of the power of the gospel to genuinely change people. I need to be reminded of that from time to time. It gives me encouragement and hope, for if God can change a jerk like him, then He can change a jerk like me.
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