Once in a while, a student composition turns into something unforgettable. It isn’t always because it is a perfect composition. It isn’t always an academically spotless piece of writing. Most of the time, it is because the composition has an important message taught in a way it has not been taught before. That is what happened to me with this one. Natalie’s “Conversation with God” resonated in my spirit long after the grade had been assigned:
A Conversation with God
By Natalie Ruckman (10th Grade)
She stepped into her prayer closet, a place she had visited so many times, yet it felt so foreign to her. She could feel the Holy Spirit’s strong presence residing in that small space. She sat down even though her worldly instincts told her to flee. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she clasped her hands, her knuckles white with tension, and shamefully bowed her head.
“Lord, I’ve failed you again. I’m not even worthy to sit here in Your presence. Can our relationship even be repaired after all the times I’ve ignored You? Can it be repaired even after all that I’ve done?”
You’re human. You will make mistakes, but the important thing is to get back up. My child, your mistakes don’t define you.
“‘My child?’ After everything I’ve done, how can You still call me Your child?”
The enemy is trying to convince you that I will leave you because of your mistakes, but it isn’t true. You will make mistakes because you live in a fallen world, and the closer you draw to me, the harder the enemy will attack you. But I am here to lead you by the hand. I will never leave you. When the enemy is telling you that your mistakes and failures define you, remember who I say you are.
“Lord, please remind me who I am.”
You used to be a slave to sin, but I paid a very high price for you and I now call you “my child.”
“Remind me. Tell me again how much You were willing to pay for me? What did it cost You to undo all my failures?”
I left the splendor and magnificence of Heaven behind. I was beaten and mocked by the very people I created. I had nails driven through my hands and feet. I died for you. Look up.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked up. She saw her favorite picture hanging on the wall–a picture of an old rugged cross sitting on a hill. The comforting, familiar hymn played in her head.
My child, it cost me everything. And you are still worth it.
She stepped into her prayer closet defeated; she emerged gratefully victorious. “I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.”
* * *
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father'” (Romans 8:15).
God bless you, and may you always value conversation with Him!
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