[Jesus said,] “I will never send away anyone who comes to me.”
— John 6:37 (NIrV)
Jasmine felt nervous as she entered the long hallway. Since moving to a new school, she had dreaded Monday mornings. It seemed everyone had plenty to talk about. Everyone had a special friend. Everyone belonged to a group.
Everyone, that is, except me.
Already, a cluster of girls had formed around Dena’s locker. Jasmine knew they’d be talking about all that had happened that weekend. As she pushed back her brown hair, she wished she could join them. At the same time, Jasmine felt afraid to walk past the girls. They all acted very sure of themselves, and they all made her feel left out.
Trying to comfort herself, Jasmine remembered how great she had looked as she started for school that morning. Maybe someone will notice my new jacket. Maybe they’ll think I’m worth having in their group.
Trying to look more confident than she felt, Jasmine drew a deep breath. If I smile, they’ll have to smile back. But even as the thought came, Jasmine started feeling shaky inside.
As she drew close to the girls, Kacie looked up. Jasmine stopped. “Hi, Kacie!”
For a moment, Jasmine thought Kacie would answer. Instead, she raised her chin and turned back to the others. The other girls laughed.
Feeling the hot blush of embarrassment rush to her face, Jasmine wanted to run. Instead, she felt frozen to the spot. Are they laughing at me? Or just making sure I feel left out?
Either way, Jasmine knew it made no difference. Instead of going to her locker, she headed for the bathroom.
To her relief, it was empty. Dropping her books on a ledge, Jasmine went to the mirror. Her new jacket didn’t seem nice anymore. Feeling the material, Jasmine tried to believe it was still important. It wasn’t. Instead, the mirror reflected the tears in her brown eyes.
Jasmine blinked the tears away, but her lips trembled. I’m not going to cry, she promised herself. But tears streamed down her cheeks. The loneliness she felt was too deep. It’s no use. They’ll never accept me. I’ll never be part of their clique.
It wasn’t the first time Jasmine prayed about it, but now she meant every word. Jesus, they make me feel worthless. Awful. I need friends. I forgive them for the lousy way they act. But what can I do?
In the next two days nothing seemed different. Would God ever answer her prayer? Did he even hear what she’d asked?
Then, before school on the third day Jasmine headed for her locker. As she passed Dena and her friends, all the girls ignored her. But at that moment an idea dropped into Jasmine’s mind.
Keep your eyes and ears open. Look for kids who think and believe the way you do.
Jasmine gasped with surprise. Then she smiled. Was this God’s answer?
More to Explore: John 3:15
Girl Talk: Can you think of a time when you were shut out of a group? How did it feel?
God Talk: “Jesus, I don’t like feeling lonely and left out. But I forgive the kids who make me feel that way. I’m glad that you have called me a friend and will never turn me away. Amen.”
From Girl Talk by Lois Walfrid Johnson