Something's Missing
By Cassie
When I was little, I had a neighbor girl who was a good friend of my sister and me. We played with her all the time and always had a lot of fun. But there were always limits on things that we could do, because Caiti and her family were not Christians. I vaguely remember carrying my Bible and Bible History books over to their house, to teach them all that I knew about Jesus and his love. But every time I tried, the subject was dropped or I was told to come back later. Eventually, I just gave up. It was clear to me that Caiti and her parents didn’t care about faith and did not want to give it a chance.
Reflecting back on that now, I wish I would not have given up. I wanted them to be Christians so badly, because I remember not wanting Caiti to go to hell when she dies. My feelings are the same: I still don’t want her to go to hell. And who knows, I could’ve gotten Caiti and her family to go to church with me, and eventually the Holy Spirit could’ve planted a seed in their hearts that would grow to become faith.
Right now, my faith means so much to me. And sometimes I put myself in the place of unbelievers, and I wonder what it would be like to live without faith. Through school, church, family, and friends, my faith continues to grow. Growing up in a Christian home has also benefited me by being raised the right way; with Christian parents who have taught me what I already know and what I will need to know in the future. Caiti’s family was different in so many ways, but mostly because they did not know Jesus. It is amazing, because I know I can go to God for anything, and just that feeling is so comforting. But the most important thing is Jesus died for me! Because of his death and my faith, I am confident that I will be in heaven after I die. And words can’t express how excited I am!
Caiti and her family moved away several years ago. They have lived in a couple of different places since living by my family, but we have not forgotten them. After seeing Caiti two years ago, she hadn’t changed a bit. She now has a younger brother and the same funny parents, but sadly, something was missing: she and her family still didn’t have faith. Over two years, though, things could’ve changed, and I will keep praying for her and her family. If it is God’s will, I truly hope that Caiti and her family are brought to faith. I know that it is all in His hand’s, and whatever He has planned for them is right. Jeremiah 29:11 says, ““For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD.” I know that God definitely put Caiti and her family in my life for a reason, but I won’t know that reason until I’m in heaven. But they made a difference on me with their friendship, and I would love it if I or someone else could make a difference on them, but with something more important: faith.