My present life, my relationships, everything, that happen up till now, my very existence is testimony of Christ.
I first experienced Christ, as i remember, in a basketball game. I was only 11, I was the best basketball player in my neighborhood, as i proclaimed, after beating every kid on the street. Then one day a high school kid, in the same neighborhood, challenged me. I was at a disadvantage cause he can dunk and had that height advantage. I was a 3pt prodigy, and my quickness allowed me to run to the 3pt line and make the basket. I don't know how i did it, i made 10 3 pointers in a row cause the guy kept blocking me each time i drove to the basket. He would dunk on me and losers ball, i would make the 3pt shot. It was all tied up 20-20, on my last shot, I was unlucky, i was trapped in a corner beyond the 3pt line, he was all over me, there was no way I would make that shot considering he would easily block it. Furthermore, there was a tree that was in the way. Also the wind was blowing.
I wasn't afraid, maybe because i made lot of shots from long range. That can't be, cause it felt different. Its almost as if i knew the basketball was going in no matter what. I thought about all the hard work i put in perfecting my shot, then I quickly released the ball. He fell on me. It was kind like a hook shot, more like a shot put, it went so high, hit the tree, and went right in without really touching the mesh.
I couldn't believe what had happened. The high school kid was in disbelieve, he couldn't believe he lost to a little kid. Other than the high school kid, my best friend witnessed that. The significance of that, as i learnt later.
Couple of years later, I had to move away from my neighborhood. I had to leave my best friends behind. One of them who witnessed that special moment. My new school, my new neighborhood, I didn't adjust well. Never made friends. Always frustrated and angry cause I left my identity and friends behind. I never really touched a basketball again. Even in high school, I was distraught whenever i picked up the ball. Why had my life end up be like this? I had to leave behind better friends better life for situations that would frustrate me. On top of that, my verbally abusive father, the resentment grew, as i failed to live up to my expectations.
For like another half a decade, I asked myself why the changes, if i grew up where i wanted to, i would been a basketball star or i would have been a very accomplished individual. I thought about my friends from childhood. I wonder if they are more accomplished than me. They were smart and sociable, why not. I was in despair by the mere thought of that, while my life was pathetic compared to theirs. I wanted to see them, i wanted to see my dear friend, who witnessed that special moment. I thought about him in middle school, high school and college. I spent like a decade thinking about my childhood and past. Why is this significant? I didn't move on. My present relationships were unstable, I wasn't quit myself, it was like i was holding onto something.
I had to go back, drove my car, 3 hour drive, I could have went back soon as I got my first car at the age of 16, why now. I saw the neighborhood, people i knew since childhood. I inquired about my friend, he still lived there. I knocked on the door, I saw tall young man, who looked lot like the kid i grew up with, he didn't recognize me, i told him who i was, he was happy to see me. I told him how i was, how it was good to see him. I didn't know why. I told him, "he was the best friend i ever had." He said "Thank you" It was bit awkward i don't know why i said that like right away. Even when i left, I pondered about it, why did i say that.
It was a parting way.
He died two years later. He committed suicide. His friends and family told me he was struggling in school, for some time and he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Now i asked myself is my life really pathetic? Who is better off in the end, me or my dear friend? Why was i angry, when Christ gave me an amazing family, friends, education and life. I was in tears, when i remembered, my final day, before I had to move to a new neighborhood and school, I was concerned about my friend, like i was going to lose him for good.
Did i know then, he was going to pass away at such a young age. Of all the people i missed from that neighborhood, why was i particularly concerned for him. What if he felt the same way i did, the regret and despair of losing a friend. What if his life paralleled mine, and he thought about how his life was pathetic to mines, and that's why he didn't see me, when he had the chance, after all, we have known each other since kindergarten, that bond is difficult to break.
When i got baptized, i felt this lightness in my body. I felt no resentment, anger or any regret. This feeling was very familiar. I felt it when i made that impossible shot in that basketball game. I felt that when I thought about my friend, as i was moving away from that neighborhood. I felt that right after, I asked Christ why is my present life so dull.
It was all because CHRIST was protecting me. He was with me, the whole time.
I was finally able to pick up that basketball, in my late 20s, not caring whether i was too old to play. I shot some hoops, couple of distance from the bench, where my dear friend witnessed, what i witnessed, Christ. I go there every weekend knowing my friend would watch over me.
I first experienced Christ, as i remember, in a basketball game. I was only 11, I was the best basketball player in my neighborhood, as i proclaimed, after beating every kid on the street. Then one day a high school kid, in the same neighborhood, challenged me. I was at a disadvantage cause he can dunk and had that height advantage. I was a 3pt prodigy, and my quickness allowed me to run to the 3pt line and make the basket. I don't know how i did it, i made 10 3 pointers in a row cause the guy kept blocking me each time i drove to the basket. He would dunk on me and losers ball, i would make the 3pt shot. It was all tied up 20-20, on my last shot, I was unlucky, i was trapped in a corner beyond the 3pt line, he was all over me, there was no way I would make that shot considering he would easily block it. Furthermore, there was a tree that was in the way. Also the wind was blowing.
I wasn't afraid, maybe because i made lot of shots from long range. That can't be, cause it felt different. Its almost as if i knew the basketball was going in no matter what. I thought about all the hard work i put in perfecting my shot, then I quickly released the ball. He fell on me. It was kind like a hook shot, more like a shot put, it went so high, hit the tree, and went right in without really touching the mesh.
I couldn't believe what had happened. The high school kid was in disbelieve, he couldn't believe he lost to a little kid. Other than the high school kid, my best friend witnessed that. The significance of that, as i learnt later.
Couple of years later, I had to move away from my neighborhood. I had to leave my best friends behind. One of them who witnessed that special moment. My new school, my new neighborhood, I didn't adjust well. Never made friends. Always frustrated and angry cause I left my identity and friends behind. I never really touched a basketball again. Even in high school, I was distraught whenever i picked up the ball. Why had my life end up be like this? I had to leave behind better friends better life for situations that would frustrate me. On top of that, my verbally abusive father, the resentment grew, as i failed to live up to my expectations.
For like another half a decade, I asked myself why the changes, if i grew up where i wanted to, i would been a basketball star or i would have been a very accomplished individual. I thought about my friends from childhood. I wonder if they are more accomplished than me. They were smart and sociable, why not. I was in despair by the mere thought of that, while my life was pathetic compared to theirs. I wanted to see them, i wanted to see my dear friend, who witnessed that special moment. I thought about him in middle school, high school and college. I spent like a decade thinking about my childhood and past. Why is this significant? I didn't move on. My present relationships were unstable, I wasn't quit myself, it was like i was holding onto something.
I had to go back, drove my car, 3 hour drive, I could have went back soon as I got my first car at the age of 16, why now. I saw the neighborhood, people i knew since childhood. I inquired about my friend, he still lived there. I knocked on the door, I saw tall young man, who looked lot like the kid i grew up with, he didn't recognize me, i told him who i was, he was happy to see me. I told him how i was, how it was good to see him. I didn't know why. I told him, "he was the best friend i ever had." He said "Thank you" It was bit awkward i don't know why i said that like right away. Even when i left, I pondered about it, why did i say that.
It was a parting way.
He died two years later. He committed suicide. His friends and family told me he was struggling in school, for some time and he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Now i asked myself is my life really pathetic? Who is better off in the end, me or my dear friend? Why was i angry, when Christ gave me an amazing family, friends, education and life. I was in tears, when i remembered, my final day, before I had to move to a new neighborhood and school, I was concerned about my friend, like i was going to lose him for good.
Did i know then, he was going to pass away at such a young age. Of all the people i missed from that neighborhood, why was i particularly concerned for him. What if he felt the same way i did, the regret and despair of losing a friend. What if his life paralleled mine, and he thought about how his life was pathetic to mines, and that's why he didn't see me, when he had the chance, after all, we have known each other since kindergarten, that bond is difficult to break.
When i got baptized, i felt this lightness in my body. I felt no resentment, anger or any regret. This feeling was very familiar. I felt it when i made that impossible shot in that basketball game. I felt that when I thought about my friend, as i was moving away from that neighborhood. I felt that right after, I asked Christ why is my present life so dull.
It was all because CHRIST was protecting me. He was with me, the whole time.
I was finally able to pick up that basketball, in my late 20s, not caring whether i was too old to play. I shot some hoops, couple of distance from the bench, where my dear friend witnessed, what i witnessed, Christ. I go there every weekend knowing my friend would watch over me.
Last edited:
