Be Still

Lunch?

Classes were long and boring and doodling seemed to be the one thing helping me to survive. Before I knew it, it was time for lunch, and I was being wheeled through the lunch line before being plopped at my table.

Lately I have been sitting at a table by myself, instead of sitting with my basketball team. Ever since the accident all I receive are looks of pity from the boys. I went from their Co-Captain to not being able to play for the rest of the season. I couldn't stand their looks of pity. So, now, I sit alone looking at a distance at the table.

As I begin to eat my mac and cheese I feel a tap on my shoulder. As I look up I see Kara and her friends surrounding me. Kara at the front.

"What do you guys want," I ask grumpily around a bite of noodle.
" We wanted to know if you wanted to come sit with us," Kara asks me, nudging a reluctant Sheila.

Although, Sheila, clearly didn't want me at their table, I say, "Sure."

As I prepare to wheel to their table, Lily, a girl from the group, who was a junior like me, they all were, speaks up.
        "You know, why don't we sit here, so it won't be much trouble." She says while facing the others silently looking for their approval. All of them nodding at the suggestion.

"Okay," I say while backing down. All 5 of them sit down, and crowd the once empty table, and began to converse. I didn't mind it, their conversations were interesting. The only thing bugging me was why they were so nice. I mean no one was ever nice to me unless they wanted something, like popularity or something else.

After a few minutes of silently munching, while the others talked around me, one of Kara's friends spoke up.

" Sorry we haven't introduced ourselves have we,"a tall guy with blonde hair speaks up.
" It's okay," I say, while wiping my hands.
" Anyway, we are Blake and Jake," the blonde dude says while pointing to a guy that looked exactly like him.
" Sup," I say with a nod and a fist bump. Twins, huh, so how do I tell you guys apart," I ask.

" Well, Blake is a bit taller than Jack," said a girl sitting across from Blake and Jake, her strawberry blonde hair covering half of her face as she was delved deep into a book.
" Only by an inch," Jake spoke up his voice distraught.
" And I'm Lily," she says holding out her hand from across the table as I shake it .
" Joshua."
" Well, nice to meet, you Joshua."
" you to," I mumble.
" You already know who I am," Sheila said while snacking on a bag of hot puffs.
" Hey Sheila," I murmur with a slight wave.
" Can I get one," Blake asks, while reaching for the bag.
" No boy go get your own," she says, clutching the bag to her chest and smacking Blake's hand away.
Kara stares at her friends in amusement before turning to me.
" You already know me, so" Kara trails off before averting her eyes from mine.

I nod as a tight smile appears on my face. Kara and I were best friends for almost six years, since fourth grade. I definitely know her.

" So, how did all of you guys meet," I ask diverting my attention from that clearly awkward situation
" Oh we're all in the Christian club here at school," Blake answers while flipping some of his blonde hair out of his eyes.
" There's a club for that?"
" Yeah, Jack, was in it to. I wonder why he didn't tell you," Jake, Blake's twin answers, while sucking the life out of pudding cup. 

Then realization hits me. That's the reason they are being so nice to me, I scoff.

      " So that's why you all are being so nice to me because of Jack," I say cynically while picking at the napkin next to my tray.
    " No, " Blake answers taken aback, " it's, it's.....it's because God calls each and everyone of us to be kind and to love one another," he says genuinely.
    "Yeah whatever," I say in disbelief.

" Plus, it's better for the soul to be kind and loving," Kara spoke up. " I know this because I have learned to be kinder to you, maybe you can try it now," she suggests.

Her words caused a sinking feeling to form
In my gut. Her words weren't harsh, they were kind and honest. I guess I could be nicer I mean if these people, namely Kara, tried for me. I can be nicer to other people.

" You know we are all praying for him and for you," Sheila speaks up from her spot to the left of me. Surprisingly, her words weren't breathed out in anger.

However, at her words this time I didn't feel rage. I felt almost peaceful and grateful, the hope from earlier bubbling inside.
The small voice in the back of my mind becoming louder and more confident as I realized that God is here, He's been here the whole time. The kindness of these people have shown me this.
" Thanks," I say before turning back to my tray.
" Ooh you guys verse of the day," Jake says while getting his phone out.
Everyone at the table stop their conversations to listen.
" Deuteronomy 3:18," The Lord himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid. Nice one," Jake says upon concluding the verse.
" Any thoughts," Blake asks.
" Well, I think it means," Lily speaks up," that no matter whats going on in your life God is right there, and he is always leading you where you need to go. He's always going to be there, he won't leave us ever."

Lily's words became an echoed refrain in my mind.

" Yeah I agree with Lily, in that whatever situation you're in, or what ever your going into God will be there to lead us where we need to go," Kara says.
" I agree" Blake says.
"Anything else? No, okay let's pray," Jake announces while everyone bows their heads and joins hands. This time I eagerly participate in what seems to be their daily routine. That verse was a reassurance of hope.
Sheila prays, and it wasn't long, it was nice and quite short, unlike my dad's.

" Hey you guys I have a question," I say.
" Yeah shoot," Blake says while packing his stuff up.
" I remember reading something 'no harm come to those who are godly.' So why does bad stuff happen to Christians," I ask feeling as if I sounded like a little kid. As soon as those words left my mouth the bell rings.
" Look why don't you come with us to church next Friday, maybe you're questioned could be better answered there." Sheila said.
" Yeah, I'll have to ask my parents, but I would love to go, " I say looking up at her.
As lunch concludes we pack up and head back to class. Luckily, Kara and I's last class happened to be art, and I was hoping to put some of my doodles to use.