The Day My Friend Saved My Life

One day , when I was a freshman in high school , I saw a kid from my class walking home from school . I was a freshman in high school . I saw a kid from my class walking home from school . His name was Kyle . It looked like he was carrying all of his books . I thought to myself why would anyone bring home all of his books on a Friday ?

He must really be a nerd . I was looking forward to my weekend . I had lots of things planned , with parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon . So I shrugged my shoulders and went on . As I was walking , I saw a bunch of kids running towards him . They ran directly at him , knocking all of his books out of his arms and tripping him .

So he landed in the dirt . His glasses went flying and I saw them land in the grass about 10 feet from him . He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes , my heart went out to him . So I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses I saw a tear in his eye .

As I handed him his glasses I said those guys are jerks . They really should get lives . He looked at me and said hey , thanks . There was a big smile on his face . It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude . I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived .

As it turned out he lived near me , so I asked him why I had never seen him before . He said he had gone to a private school before now . I would never have hung out with a kid from a private school before , but we talked all the way home and I carried his books . He turned out to be a pretty cool kid .

I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends and he said yes . We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle , the more I liked him , and my friends thought the same of him . Monday morning came and there was Kyle with his huge stack of books , again going back to school .

I stopped him and said Boy , you are really going to build some serious muscles with this pile of books every day . He just laughed at me and handed me half the books Over the next four years . Kyle and I became best friends when we were seniors . We began to think about college . Kyle decided to go to Georgetown and I was going to go to Duke .

I knew that we would always be friends , that the miles would never be a problem . He was going to be a doctor and I was going to study business on a football scholarship . Kyle was the valedictorian of our graduating class . I teased him all the time about being a nerd . He had to prepare a speech for graduation .

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak . On graduation day I saw Kyle . He looked great . He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school . He filled out and actually looked good in glasses . He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him .

Man , there were some times when I was actually jealous , and today was one of those days . I could see that he was nervous about his speech , so I smacked on the back and said hey , big guy , you'll be great . He looked at me with one of those looks the really grateful type and smiled thanks , he said . As he started his speech .

He cleared his throat and began graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years your parents , your teachers , your siblings , maybe a coach , but mostly your friends . I'm here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift that you can give them . In fact , I'm going to tell you a story .

I looked at my friend in disbelief as he talked about the very first day that we had met . He had planned to kill himself that weekend . He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home . He looked directly at me and gave a little smile . Thankfully , I was saved , he said .

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable . I heard a gasp go through the crowd as this handsome , popular boy told us about his weakest moment . I saw his mom and his dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile . It was not until that moment that I recognized the true depth of that smile . Never underestimate the power of your actions .

With one small gesture , you can change a person's life . Jesus tells us that we are to make a difference in the lives of the people around us . In Matthew , chapter 5 , jesus says to us you are the light of the world , so let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father , who is in heaven .

May see your good works and give glory to your Father , who is in heaven . We can make a difference in the lives of the people around us . Sometimes , all it needs is for us to say hi or to take them for a coffee , even just to smile at them and ask them how they're doing .

You can make a difference in the life of someone else today , but it all starts with the choice . The choice to let your light shine before the people around you , and God will bless you as you do . Have a great day , my friends . We will talk again tomorrow .