Thoughts of a work experience student

Who do people see me as?

As I became a 15-year-old lad I started to notice a change in peoples behaviour towards me. Those younger than me at school started to purposefully walk a longer route to avoid me. I even had a woman press her two children up against a wall to keep them as far away from me as possible while I passed them on the street. I suppose it’s only natural to fear boys my age though, what with all the media attention to crimes performed by us, from vandalism to stabbings because that’s news. Whereas just hanging out with mates and being with your family isn’t. So when people see us, all they see are those who represent so much evil in the world.

During my time on work experience with Nottingham Youth for Christ, though I’ve noticed a total reversal of attitudes towards me. I am no longer prejudged as a “trouble-making” 15-year-old lad. No. For that tag has been taken from me to be replaced with the word “Christian.” As part of my experience with Nottingham Youth for Christ, I helped out at a after-school youth club at Inham Nook Methodist Church and kids who in the past had feared the 15-year-old me were now getting to know the Christian me and really giving him some respect. The next day, I went to do some one to one mentoring with Ant and I met a boy who, amongst his friends was a real trouble maker, but when amongst Christians was really respectful and displayed a wisdom never before apparent to his teachers.

I went to school the next day, a large cross displayed prominently on my chest. The year sevens gained the confidence to speak to me about God and I found myself being able to tell them about Jesus’ greatness, whereas before, I would never even have been able to say “Hi” without them being intimidated. So now ask yourself this, reader, when people look at you who do they see you as? And who do you want them to see you as? What you do now can change peoples perceptions of you. See what God has done for me. And decide who you are.

1 Samuel 16:7-“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance for his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Robert Trusson-work experience 07/04/2011

does it ever live up to expectations?

Confession time. I have an addictive personality. I always have it seems. I remember collecting 'Danger mouse' stickers for my sticker album when i was 10, despite the fact i wasn't allowed to. I used to leave the house and hide the album under next doors hedge while i was at school and then pick it up on the way home. Which was fine until it rained one day. Four stickers away from completing the whole thing. Not happy. But, you know, i have now matured, no longer am i that person. No, I am older and wiser, although no less drawn into collecting things. I am in the middle of my 'now that's what i call music' vinyl collection, but the one that has me hooked is Dr who. Oh yes collecting the whole back catalogue of Dr who DVDs is proving a long term thing. Will it fulfil me? i doubt it, just like i was slightly disappointed with the latest installment last week. To be honest i had built it up a little in my head, and it would have struggled to fulfil my hopes. It was a bit of an 'Empire strikes back' in the sense it was there to build up for the last 2 of the 10th doctors story. But although it didn't live up to it, we all like to build things up, it gives us a hope, something to look forward to. The anticipation really drives us. One thing i have found is though, it is the opposite with my faith. I perhaps don't get that excited sometimes, but God does really deliver and always creates more than i expect. It would be great if my addictive personality would work on praying and reading the Bible, I am working on that, but what i do know is i will never be let down by Jesus, and i will never be disappointed.