I spotted a girl in a strange looking outfit. (Kids have some crazy ideas about fashion in middle school.) From across the cafeteria, I tried to see what kind of shirt she was wearing, but couldn’t make out the words. It was something I’d never seen before.
I gazed out at the students as they ate their lunch. They were laughing loudly, talking loudly and having fun. Eventually, I made my way to the other side of the cafeteria. She was a beautiful girl, but my heart sank like lead when I saw what was written on her shirt. It said “Valvoline”.
She wore a wrinkled plaid skirt with the discarded shirt of someone who serviced cars at an instant oil change center. Heart-sick, I looked around at the other girls. Many wore Seaside Beach tee shirts, college team tees, Under Armour, and other designer clothes. The contrast shocked me.
What would it be like to go to Middle School wearing a Valvoline work shirt because that was all you had to wear? Not cool!
And in middle school – the supreme goal is: be cool!
I thought about my own children, grown now, but never having to do without – well, anything! I thought, “Why have I been so blessed?” God answered my question.
” From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48
It made me think. I definitely fall in the “been given much” group. That means God demands a lot from me and He asks much more from me than from others.
I can’t help everyone. I know that. But I can listen and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. That is my responsibility as a Christian.
We must all take an account of our lives. Do our children have to wear cast-aside Valvoline shirts to school? Probably not.
I don’t know what God might ask me to do next, but when He asks I’ll remember the Valvoline Girl, and I won’t be able to ignore the still small voice asking me to help.
What does God’s Word say about it?
“But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?” 1 John 3:17 AMP
“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;” Psalm 41:1
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
“… we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 NIV
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” Matthew 25:35-40
With Love,
This is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash
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Real Christian Women 
You make some valid points. However, if I may add a side note as a middle school youth worker: You never know. If that beautiful girl has the confidence, she could convince the rest of the class that Valvoline shirts are the latest thing, and she might be the trend-setter that has the adults scratching their heads in puzzlement. 😉
“Just sayin’ …”
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Ann, I wish that were the case, but this girl is a refuge and barely speaks English. Her wardrobe appears to have come out of a barrel. She is probably only beautiful to me. There are many refuges and immigrants in our school. Many of them are extremely poor. As always, I appreciate your comments. I am in the process of reading your book and it’s just exactly what I needed! (Lots of yellow highlighter!) Thank you for writing it! Hugs!
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Bless you. Well, that makes a difference, of course. I hope the Christian students pick up on the ministry opportunity. There’s a group in Louisville I am part of called Refuge that helps refugees. Do they have anything like that in your town?
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I don’t know, but I will find out. Thanks!
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It would be wonderful if the class could throw a little “Welcome to America” party for the immigrant kids and give them some gifts, like school T-shirts and other basics.
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I love that idea!
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