I had this sort of daydream…I was hanging out with my friends. We were talking and joking as usual—we don’t talk about God very much. I guess we just forget sometimes. I hadn’t had time yet to read or pray because I’d woken up late (tired from a late night out) and had to go meet my friend. It’s not that we do anything bad—no smoking, drinking or cussing cuz Christians don’t do that stuff. So we were walking down the street and saw a girl wearing some ridiculous looking shoes, so naturally we had to comment. No big deal, it’s not like she heard us, right? So anyway, I had to tell my mom that I’d finished my homework so she’d let me go out. Again, no big deal. I’d finish it later so it’s not really a lie is it? So now we’re walking down the street and I see this man. People are shouting mean things at him so I think he must not be a good guy. We wander over to watch and then it starts to get a little scary. They start hitting the guy! I figure he’s committed some sort of crime so it’s ok. They’re beating him a lot. There’s so much blood I can’t even tell if he’s alive except that he moves occasionally. He doesn’t even open his mouth. Suddenly they’re forcing him to stand up and I see his face. “NO!” They don’t know what they’re doing! This man’s done nothing! They have to stop! Some people look at me so I say nothing. Suddenly I’m so frightened. If they’re beating this man, there’s no telling what they’d do to me—a sinner. They’re making Him carry a cross now! He’s in so much pain! His back is torn and He looks so weak! Oh no! He’s falling! SOMEONE HELP HIM! “Jesus NO! Please!! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do all those things! I’ll spend more time with you! I PROMISE!!!” I scream as I rush toward Him. But the crowd stops me and I don’t try any harder. They’re making someone else help Him now. It’s a man from the crowd. He looks so hurt. But not physically. I mean, of course He’s hurt, but it’s not like that. It’s like something inside of Him is broken or missing. I want so badly to help Him, to stop this, but I’m not brave enough…that should be me!!!! It’s not fair…He didn’t deserve this… He’s made it up the hill now. Oh no…I can’t watch! But something keeps my eyes glued to the terrible scene. They lay him on the cross and stretch out His arms. No… They begin driving the nails into His hands as the tears stream down my face… A few days later I’m sitting alone. All I can do is cry. It isn’t fair. He was beaten, mocked, and killed because of me. I hate myself. Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder, but I’m not scared. I look up. “You! But…how…why?” “Because I love you, child.” That’s all I need to hear. Somehow I understand. It had to happen this way. Now that I know I will never forget how much He loved me. I MUST live everyday for Him! I CHOOSE to spend time with Him because now I know how much He loves me. How much he has sacrificed for me! Nothing can match His love, so I seek love only from Him and He gives it to me in more ways than I can imagine! He is my Creator, my Lord, and my Father. I love Him because He loved me. | 
