Michelle Gets Wise

Michelle Gets Wise

Michelle walked briskly along the tree-lined street near her home in a small town in Pennsylvania, enjoying the spring breeze on her face. With delight, she noted that the maple trees were just about full--freshly dressed in brand new leaves. Glancing up, she paused to watch an odd-shaped white puffy cloud float by in a clear blue sky. Picking up her pace again, she listened with amusement to the chirping and singing of the birds as they flew here and there gathering materials to build their nest. Michelle’s walk had another purpose besides thoroughly enjoying nature. It was a part of her daily discipline to exercise. She hadn't always been disciplined and organized. With a shudder, she remembered her early years. . .

She had been raised in a Christian home, but had turned rebellious at the age of thirteen. Her parents had tried hard to teach her Biblical wisdom, but she would have none of it. She became quite a slob about her appearance and her room all because her parents considered it important to be neat and clean. They wanted her to be a nice girl so she liked to be rude and crude and flip off when she thought she could get away with it. When grown ups would show dismay or concern about her behavior it used to give her some kind of a weird kick. She loved to dress immodestly just to watch them freak out when they saw her. Her parents urged her to take responsibility and make wise and good choices so she deliberately acted and chose foolishly. She would put off doing her homework until it was too late, drag her new shoes on the pavement while skate-boarding, throw her good clothes in a pile on the floor, watch programs on TV that she was told not to watch and eat junk food at every possible opportunity.

When she started dating, her parents had talked to her about the facts of life and begged her to listen to what God said about relationships. But their talks had only made her determine to do as she pleased about it. Just remembering how she had acted caused Michelle’s heart to skip a few beats. She had to stop her brisk walk and wait until it was beating in rhythm again.

She had not listened to her mom and dad’s pleading about wise choices and in no time she had a reputation with the guys at school. She was asked out a lot, but she knew it wasn’t because of her personality. For a while being so popular was a blast, but soon she began to feel used, dirty, and worthless. By then, she felt it was too late to change--the die was cast so to speak. That's when she was introduced to marijuana. When she smoked weed she didn't care about anything-- trouble was when the effect wore off, she felt more used, dirty, and worthless than before.

She began to dread going to school. She hated how a lot of the kids acted when she passed by. She was acutely aware of their stares. She heard the snickering, whispering and laughter. She was totally humiliated when guys would jeer at her and make innuendos. But when a thought would sneak in suggesting that she should have listened to her parents, she would turn from it and block it out.

One day near the end of her senior year, she had been dressing for a date with one of the most popular and good looking hunks at school. He was a football hero and she really went for him, but she had felt no joy or anticipation as she dug through the pile of clean laundry scattered on the floor looking for a really snazzy outfit. Always when Jack asked her out, it was to be kept secret. They would go for a ride and end up miles from their home town. Then he would pull into a secluded area and get what he wanted. He’d take her for a milkshake afterward and then deposit her back at her place. She knew he only went out with her when he didn't feel like charming and coaxing one of the popular girls.

With that thought she had stopped rooting for the outfit and instead threw herself face down on her bed, giving way to tears. She didn’t want to be who she was anymore. She hated being used by guys. She hated her messy room--she could never find anything. When she would find an outfit or object she had been hunting, it almost always turned out to be soiled, wrinkled, and/or smelly. She hated to look in the mirror because she had put on too much weight. She often broke out in pimples from the chips and burgers and things that she ate. Most of all she wanted people to respect her and she wanted to be able to respect herself. She hadn't dreamed back when she determined to throw it away that self-respect could be such an important thing. Here she was only a senior in high school and already her life was ruined. It was her own doing--and she knew it. She had no friends, no character, no plans and no hope for the future. Michelle remembered how she had cried from deep in her middle. To her mother walking by her door just then it had sounded like a prey being taken down by the lion.

Hearing her crying that day, her mother had timidly entered her room, saying, "I was passing by and heard you crying, Michelle. Ah…I’ve heard you cry before, but this time it sounded different--heart wrenching.” Gingerly, her mom had hugged her back and stroked her copper ringlets. In a pleading voice, she said, "Won't you share with me, Michelle? I love you. I care about you. I want to help if I can."

It was as if a dam broke. Something happened inside her and she had no more desire to be rebellious. She sat up and through her tears she told her mother everything. She remembered the fear she had felt as she finished. What if her mother was so repulsed that she rejected her? She kept her head down and waited for her mother’s response. Her mother had hugged her tightly and cried with her. Then in a soft voice, she told her about God's love and how he had sent Jesus because he was the only one pure enough, loving enough, and great enough to fix things between us and God. She explained how Jesus walked the walk and talked the talk and overcame temptation. Then at the perfect time, he became God's sacrificial lamb, taking the punishment and death due to all sinners so that whosoever called upon him to save them would be saved from sin and death. She said, “What that means, honey, is that anyone, including you, who desires to be reconciled to God can be completely forgiven for any and all sins and be given a brand new start and the ability to make the right choices.”

She had answered, “I don’t clearly understand all that you just tried to explain, Mom, but if I have it right, you said that Jesus and God want me and everyone to be able to start over.” Her mother had nodded enthusiastically. She had let out a sound--a mixture between a sob and moan and said, “I desperately want to start over, Mom. I’ve learned my lesson. I want to be a Christian and I want to do things the right way.”

Her mom’s eyes had searched her face then she broke out in a big smile. She had reached over and given her a big long hug. “I’m so glad, Michelle. Do you want me to lead you in the sinner’s prayer?”

She had nodded, “Yes, please.” The ‘please’ had sounded strange to her own ears. She hadn’t said it on her own initiative for years. Her mom had taken her hands and bent her head and prayed the most wonderful prayer asking God to receive her as his child, telling him she was sorry for her sins and wanted Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. When she finished, Michelle remembered how clean and at peace she had felt. In awe, she had said, “Wow! Mom, I feel so clean. I know I’ve been given another chance. I really have learned my lesson, Mom. Thank you for teaching me right from wrong. I just feel sure I will make good choices from now on.”

That had been three years ago. Here she was now in good health, enjoying a beautiful spring day. She had a good job, a wonderful guy, and a ministry. Her heart had been changed and now she loved to do the right thing. She felt so changed that she marveled to think that she had ever wanted to rebel.

If she had a chance, she’d tell everyone--rebelling against God or caring parents is not cool. It’s a big mistake.

© Sylvia Huffnagle

Article Source: http://christian-topics.info

Just life and truth

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

# of Ratings = 1 | Rating = 5/5