Natalie's Journey: Saving Daniel (on hold until...)

Chapter 1: Firm and Steadfast

                                               1 Peter 5:10

"The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 

Chapter 1: 

The loud deafening sounds of Recess, the club near my school, blocked out all the usual silence of the evening. I try and listen to what it is Sasha is saying but I can't seem to get around the blasting music from a couple metres up the block. 

I remember the days when it would be me at Recess partying up a storm and getting involved in all the wrong things. It's amazing how long ago those days seemed even though they were merely a year ago. Now times have changed and here I sit at the library at our school on a Friday night whilst half our school were busy getting drunk or doing drugs.

Do I miss those days or 'good times' as one would say? 

Not at all.

I have this joy inside me now that I never knew could ever exist and it's all because I am saved and I now know matter what I go through I have Jesus to walk me through my struggles. The partying can not compete with this inner joy I feel within me. My life has never been better. I have never looked back since I accepted Jesus as my personal saviour. Life simply could not get any better.

"Nat are you even listening to me?" Sash asks and I quickly regain focus and turn my attention back to her. She sighs having realized I didn't hear a thing she was saying all this time. "I said I think we should go join the party. I am so sick of studying." she complains and pouts.

Here we go again...

I knew it was only a matter of time before she starts up again. "Sash you know I don't party anymore." I explain once again, having it feel like the billionth time I have said this to her. I would say it billion times more to get it in her head.

"You always say that. Look I know you're trying this whole 'God' thing out but that doesn't mean you have to be boring. I miss the old Nat who partied and got drunk of her heel's with me." she smiles at the memory whilst I do the opposite.

Sasha has been my closest and most probably only friend since the eighth grade. We've always done everything together and we were practically inseparable, but these days she was slipping further away from me and I could feel it happening. When I turned to God she managed to live with the 'new' me but she would always go out of her way to remind me of how much 'fun' we use to have when I wasn't saved. I turned to God when she turned away from Him. I tried to tell her about the incredible love of Christ but she was so set in her ways of being an atheist that she refused to listen. It's heartbreaking too not be able to get through to your best friend. I can't handle thinking that I might not see her in heaven one day but I always push the thought away because it terrifies me.

I never knew how difficult it would be to be the christian friend to someone who has no interest in God what so ever. Each day Sasha tempts me and each day I have to resist. Being her friend is a difficult process now that I am saved. It was easier being her friend when we both ignored God's presence in our lives. I love her so much but how do I help someone who doesn't want to be helped?

"Sasha I can't go. You know that." I clarify gently.

She rolls her eyes and begins to pack her books away. I release a sigh as she zips her backpack closed and shuts her locker doors. "Fine then I'll go by myself." she replies in an angered tone. "Why is it that you think you're so much better than me now huh? I just want the old you back." she finishes off in a hurt tone before turning her back on me and walking out towards the exit.