Finding Faith
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Each morning that week, Andrew made breakfast.
Angela was happy to enjoy the pancakes and eggs, and that made Andrew happy as well. Although they just chatted about random things, doing their best to avoid confrontational subjects, they had a very pleasant time together.
At school, Andrew continued to sit alone at lunch. After eating, he would use the remaining free time to read passages from the Bible. Some of the other students walking by gave him odd looks, but he did not let that discourage him.
After his classes ended each day, he met with his counselor. During one session, Counselor Robertson said, “Andrew, you have improved your grades significantly since we started our meetings.”
“I had hoped so. I’m less distracted now than I used to be.”
“Well, it definitely shows.”
“Thank you,” Andrew replied. “I just wish I could do more.”
“With your grades?”
“With my life.” Andrew looked seriously into his counselor’s eyes. He struggled to find the right words to express just how serious he was. “After going to Mass and then confession, I feel renewed again. I haven’t felt this kind of freedom in a long time. But, I know I’ve made mistakes. Now, as I strive for purity in my life, I wish I could help others do the same.”
“That’s a very mature ambition,” his counselor thoughtfully replied. “Go ahead and pray about it, I will too, and we can discuss this later in the week.”
“I will. Thank you.”
He tried to brainstorm ideas as he did his homework that night, but could not come up with anything. Before going to bed, he prayed, “God, thank you for opening up my eyes to how I can live better. Thank you for allowing me the chance to change, and for always being with me. Please guide me as I search for ways to help others purify their lives so that they can strengthen their relationships with you and with others. Amen.”
The next day, Andrew was busy enough in his classes that he did not think much about it. When speaking with Senior Counselor Robertson after school, the topic was not brought up.
On Thursday night, the school held a fundraiser dinner in the gymnasium. Andrew had heard of it, so after it ended, he was sure to be there to help clean up. While picking up trash and packing away the tables, he saw his counselor there.
“I’m surprised to see you here.” Counselor smiled warmly at Andrew. “You know, your community service ended last week.”
“I know,” Andrew replied. He could feel his face redden slightly in humility. “I actually like helping out. It’s kind of relaxing and gives me time to speak with God.”
“That’s great.” His counselor gave him a firm handshake. “I’m proud of you. You have really turned your life around. Thanks be to God.”
Andrew smiled and started to clean again. After everything was done, he waved to some of the faculty members to let them know he was leaving. He then went down the hallway towards the exit. Outside on the parking lot, he heard two people talking nearby.
“My son likes to play chess all the time,” one man said, “so, he joined the school’s chess club this year.”
“Oh yeah?” the other man replied. “My daughter joined the drama club. They have so many clubs at this school, and I hear that they even let the students make them up nowadays.”
A club? Andrew mused. That’s the answer to my prayers.
The following morning in school, Andrew was distracted during his classes while contemplating ideas for a new club. In between classes, as he walked down the hall past other students, he heard several of them using curse words and name calling.
I used to be like that. I bet the stuff they watch and listen to at home is negatively influencing them like it had to me, Andrew thought.
He saw several boys trying to flirt with some girls, and they were making sexual comments because of how the girls had dressed. They wore short skirts and sleeveless low-cut tops.
Immodesty provokes lust, Andrew thought sadly.
He shook his head and continued down the hall to his next class. Everything seemed so cut and dry to him. Reading the bible daily as well as other spiritual improvement books, really allowed Andrew to mature to a level far beyond where he previously had been at. As Andrew entered a room, he saw that the teacher was not yet present. One boy was playing some sort of video game on his smartphone while another boy watched.
“Kill ‘em,” the observer said, “Kill ‘em all.”
Does he realize what he’s saying? Andrew was disturbed.
He took a seat and mulled over everything. The world is so desensitized to cursing, violence, and sex… if my classmates knew that the majority of movies and television, popular music, and video games contain sexual elements, offensive language and morally degrading messages… if they only knew how harmful it is to them… if they could see through new eyes and understand that there is a better way to live… if they could turn to God and strive for purity in their lives…
“Purity.” Andrew’s mind whirled with endless possibilities. “Thank you, God.”
After the school day ended, he rushed up to the fourth floor and reached his counselor’s office a little early. Andrew knocked on the door and soon took a seat inside.
“You seem awfully excited,” Counselor Robertson said, gazing at Andrew with an interested and thoughtful expression.
“I just came up with the perfect idea for the club I would like to start at this school.”
Robertson smiled eagerly. “God works fast! Please, tell me. What is it?”
“The Purity Club.”Andrew felt his excitement grow at the sound of his new club.
“That sounds very interesting. You definitely have my attention. What is the premise and mission of the Purity Club?”
“When I turned to God, he opened up my eyes.” Andrew stood up and began to pace quickly back and forth. “Before then, I was blind to how tolerant society is to sin, how a lot of mainstream media desensitizes people, and how much influence us students have on each other. The Purity Club will be a place where students can come together and encourage each other to strive for purity in all aspects of their lives and will show how purity brings us closer to God.”
“I see. I believe that you are onto something here. It is scary and often unnerving trying to preach, evangelize, or just pray in a public school environment. But, that re-emphasizes just how desperately public schools are in need of God.” Robertson paused to glance at Andrew before continuing, “From my understanding, in order to create a club at this school, you must have a member of the faculty sponsor it.”
“I was hoping that you would.”
Senior Counselor Robertson leaned forward in his chair, placed his hands together on his desk, and said, “I’d love too.”
Andrew grinned from ear to ear. “Thank you so much.”
“We’ll have to fill out some forms and I’ll have to submit them to the principal and board members for approval.”
“Do you think they’ll accept the Purity Club?”
“It may take some persuading,” Robertson said, “but I think it’s possible.”
Andrew stared earnestly at his counselor. “I’m ready.”
“So am I.”
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