It felt so good to experience this. No one ever told me that it could be this way. The joy and peace I was feeling was unexplainable, indescribable. I just never wanted it to end. I felt happiness.



I have been going for therapy with my dad. He has always been supportive. I apologized to Emily and her friends for my wrong attitude towards them. We have been friends ever since. We went to prayer meetings, choir practice and other church activities together.



It's been a week since I gave my life to christ.

I haven't seen my former friends since I found Jesus until today. I was on my way home when I was stopped by Damien's voice

"Hello Sandra, it's been while we've seen you. You don't party with us anymore and the boss is asking of you. Where have you been?" He asked with a smirk on his face. He was very close to me. One of my closest friends. He was the one who taught how to smoke and drink but now I am a different person. A child of a King.



"I've been fine by God's grace and you? How have you guys been?" I asked them with a smile on my face.

"By God's grace? So it is true. You are now a church goer. Wow. This is actually funny. Guys, can you imagine? Sandra is now a church girl." Emma, my good friend spoke out in shock. She was there for me when my mom died. She was the one who introduced me to the rest.

"Yes, what you heard is true. I am now a child of God. He has forgiven me. I've been enjoying his mercy ever since. You guys can also join me. Give your life to Christ. He loves you that was why he---" Damien shunned me immediately.

"Hey, keep your summon to yourself. We don't need it alright. Who told you we need your Jesus? We have been doing just fine. Besides, where you not the one that said there was no God? I thought you hated him and now, all of a sudden, you became his disciple."

I remembered telling them that there was no God out of grieve and ignorance. I was blinded by my own hurt that I forgot the giver of peace. Now that I have found this peace, I am not letting it go.

"I know I denied God but it wasn't his fault. Besides everything happens for a reason. For a purpose. Why should I blame him? Wasn't he the one who sent his only begotten son for my sin? It's not easy to release your child to be tortured and beaten for the sin he never committed. I wonder what he must have gone through releasing the Lord Jesus Christ, his only begotten son to die for our sins. Please take this, read it and I know that ---"

Now it was Diego who interrupted me. "You are given us this piece of paper so we can be like you. Did you even look at yourself in the mirror at all cause if you did, you would know what you look like. A pig, a scum. You are a fucking disease. Guys let's leave here before she gives us fungi." With that, they tore the tract I shared to them and poured it on my face.

I was feeling sad because the friends that once loved me left because I claimed that I am a child of God but that was when the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a still small voice.

"Sandra, remember what Jesus said to his disciples. He said that they will suffer many things for his name sake but they should rejoice and be exceedingly glad because their names were written in the Lamb's book of life."

That gave me hope. My sadness turned to happiness immediately. I just kept walking home singing this song.

I will not forget thee nor leave thee.

In my hands, I'll hold you

In my arms, I'll fold you

I will not forget thee nor leave thee.

I am thine Redeemer, I will care for thee.

I kept walking home with unspeakable joy knowing that my father in heaven is watching and he's ready to help me.





It's been two weeks since the incident but I still kept firing for God and still kept serving him.

My dad and I were going to our therapist today. I dressed up fast and went to the living room to find my dad already there waiting for me.

"Always late. I wonder what you girls do there anyways." He said pulling me into a hug while checking the time on his wrist watch.

I laughed heartily. "Good morning dad." He just kept embracing me tightly until I couldn't breathe.

"Dad, if you keep hugging me like this, then I might end up not breathing" he laughed before releasing me from his tight hold.

"Shall we, Princess?" I nodded in anticipation but not before laughing at his fake British accent.

The ride was a long one. We kept laughing and talking through out the drive until a big truck came in front of us with full speed and I didn't know what happened. All I heard was the shouting.

"Sandra, Sandra, Sandra." I felt nothing. Nothing at all and I passed out.



'Beep beep beep' where am I? Then I remembered the accident. My dad. Where was he? I tried opening my eyes but I couldn't. I could only hear. I couldn't move at all. I felt useless.

"How is she?" Someone asked. I couldn't recognize the voice.

"She's in coma. She had a fractured bone as a result of the accident. She might not be able to walk again." What? No no no. I have to get up. What of my dad. Is he okay?

"Her father?" The stranger asked.

"He is dead. He couldn't make it." The doctor answered.

No no no. Not him. No.



The doctor heard the beeping sound and left the young man who saved the girl's life.

"What is happening?" The stranger asked.

"We are losing her. All unit report at the ICU immediately. I repeat all unit at room 3112 immediately." The doctor called out.

Number of nurses and few specialist rushed in.

"You need to leave sir, right now." One of the nurse spoke urging the stranger out. The stranger finally left reluctantly praying the young girl survives.

"Let's begin the process. Hit to twenty." They started the process yet she couldn't come up.

"Hit to fifty, we are losing her." The doctor instructed but she didn't wake up.

"Hit to one hundred?" The doctor ordered but some specialist disagreed.

"We will lose her."

"But we have too. Do it now." The doctor gave the order and immediately the shock passed through the girl's ribs, a gasp escaped her mouth meaning she was back.



The heart monitor started beeping normally again meaning she was alive but unconscious.

The Doctor looked at the unconscious girl feeling pity for her. He wondered how he would break the news to her that her father was dead.




© Faithfulness Celestine