Brad leaned against the bricks, glaring down the hallway. “I can’t believe they let those immigrant kids into our school.”
Tony nodded. “I know, right? This place is going to the dogs.”
Cheryl blinked. “They’re just kids, right? They should be able to go to school just like the rest of us.”
Brad narrowed his eyes at her. “They’re not like us. They can hardly even speak English.”
Rachel chimed in. “Well, there’s nothing you can do about it. They’re here whether you like it or not.”
Brad hooked his fingers in his pockets. “Yeah, they’re here, but they better stay on their end of the school. This end is for the kids that belong here.”
At the ringing of the bell, the teenagers scattered, racing to make it to their classrooms on time.
Brad and Tony clambered into their seats in the back row of history class just as the teacher began the lesson for the morning. As Mr. Henderson droned on, Brad caught sight of the profile of one of the immigrant girls. Her thick dark hair flowed down her back. Her eyes were dark, almost black, and the side of her mouth curled up in a half smile. Brad watched her as she chewed on her pen, gazing at the teacher, hanging on to every word. Maybe these kids weren’t so bad after all. He’d sure like to get to know this girl better. She obviously cared about what the teacher was saying. He decided to tune in.
“And so, May 10th, 1869 marked a momentous day for our nation. For the first time, the West was opened up to the East when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railways were joined in Promontory Summit, Utah. The day the ends met brought the nation together. People from all countries worked together on the railways. That day it didn’t matter what country they were from or what language they spoke. They worked together on a project that unified the country. As Reverend John Todd said in his prayer commemorating the occasion,
‘that peace may flow unto them as a gentle stream, and that this mighty enterprise may be unto us as the Atlantic of Thy strength and the Pacific of Thy love’
“It was a time in our country when we weren’t afraid to say in God we trust.”
Mr. Henderson’s eyes focused on the flag hanging above the whiteboard. He seemed to lose himself in thought. A few of the students sniggered. Brad’s attention shifted back to the girl with the flowing dark hair. She was staring at the flag as well. Suddenly, as if she felt his eyes on her, she turned and flashed him a brilliant smile. Brad felt part of something bigger than himself. He wasn’t sure whether it was the lecture by Mr. Henderson or the way that smile turned his insides out. When the bell rang, he strode up to the front of the room to intercept her before she left the classroom.
“Hi, I’m Brad. You’re new here, right?”
She held out her hand to shake his. “Hola. I am Carmen.” Brad took her hand in his, surprised by the softness and warmth. He had expected rougher, working hands. Reluctantly, he let go, but followed her out of the classroom.
“I’d like you to meet some friends of mine.”
Carmen shook her head. “No, Brad, you meet my friends.” She led him to the end of the hallway where several of the new kids gathered. Brad’s confidence wavered with each step. Surely these kids wouldn’t be happy to have him on their turf. After welcoming smiles and greetings all around, Brad felt smaller and smaller. These kids didn’t care what he looked like; they were just glad to meet him. After a few moments, he peeked back down the way he had come. At the other end of the long hallway, Tony, Rachel, and Cheryl watched him.
“Come here, guys,” he gestured to the group of kids he had just met. “I’d like to you take you to the other end of the hall.”
God, help us to remember that different is not a bad thing. Help us to reach out to others, especially those who are not like ourselves. We are all made in Your image. You tell us in Revelation 7 every kindred, nation, tribe, and tongue will worship You. What a glorious day it will be when people can put aside their differences and focus on worshipping You!
Galatians 3:26-29
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
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