Have you ever been in the presence of a moment where you felt as if everything was beautiful and you felt comforted by it? As people, we all have moments where we want time to stay still. Although life on earth is temporary, we can often get caught in moments of great joy. The first time I genuinely experienced that moment was when I was the age of twelve when the global pandemic struck. Unaware of what was happening, I didn’t realize that was the last time I may have seen my friends and peers as the same person they once were.
I had battled anxiety for years since showing signs of development in fourth grade; however, it wasn’t until sixth or seventh grade that I was clinically diagnosed with anxiety and depression after facing many hardships in the first year of middle school. I felt lonely and isolated from others because I refused to follow the same trends and behavior patterns everyone else was doing that were not of God. Despite that, when everyone else left, He remained and helped me push through both times of hardship and temptation.
Since I was afraid of people leaving me again, and I didn’t want to face rejection, I would often hide in the presence of others. I would avoid walking in front of people in parking lots or hallways, and I would break down when it came to social interaction. After going to a new school, Scholars Guild Academy, I was unaware of how to face the emergence of a new life and a unique opportunity to restart. Although the first year was quite difficult trying to understand the concept of time management, I was still blessed with many great friends and teachers who were understanding and slowly helped me make my way out of my shell. God used those people within my life to help me understand what it is like to be a good friend and peer to those around me. God can use even the smallest of things.
I was often looking for small ways to connect with people, so one day, I started one of my first animes called “Haikyu, " meaning “volleybal”l in Japanese. The show is about young high school boys all sharing the same passion for playing the sport and learning what it's like to be a team. Only a day after watching, my father sent me information about joining the volleyball team for the school. By joining the team, I managed to find a group of supportive and uplifting people who have made me more confident and provided mental and physical growth for me.
Because of God and His goodness, I am now able to live a happier life, and I vow to be a person willing to be a vessel for God in others people’s lives and help reflect His glory. I want to use my story and how the Lord allowed me to help others in times of need. As I once stated, “Life is like a puzzle; you might not understand it at first, but if you use the instructions the Lord has provided, then it is sure to come out beautiful.”
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