by Cori Leigh | Jul 11, 2023 | Short Stories
“C’mon Pete, we have to walk a little faster or we’re going to be late for school,” said Pete’s ten-year-old sister, Mary.
“It’s just that my legs won’t go fast, Mary,” five-year-old Pete whined.
“If you don’t walk faster, I’m walking on without you. Do you want to go all alone?” she said.
“Mommy said you can’t leave me because I’m too young,” he reminded her as they walked down the poverty-stricken street.
Pete reached into his right pocket and started playfully jiggling a red jelly bean.
“If you don’t walk faster, I’ll leave you here, I promise!” Mary said angrily.
They continued the long trek to school while Pete tried to speed up his steps. He splashed his running shoes in a big puddle of water.
“Mary, my Sunday school teacher said God wants us to be nice to people. So you have to be nice to me, okay?” he said with his big blue eyes looking up at her.
“Okay, Pete, I’ll try, but keep walking faster. If you don’t, I’ll hold your hand all the way there.”
“I don’t like holding your hand. It makes my hand sweat.”
“Then walk quickly and don’t talk, just walk,” she ordered.
Silence took over the remainder of the next few minutes. Mary enjoyed a moment of peace.
“Pete, we’re almost there. We’ll get there before the bell rings,” she said.
Oh no! Where’s Pete?
Mary couldn’t believe he had disappeared. Pete was there just a few minutes ago.
“Pete! Where did you go? Last time I looked, you were right here!” She called out for her brother.
No, Pete didn’t pop out from behind a bush or respond to her calls. It was as if he had vanished.
Mary stood for a few seconds, her mind racing as she ran toward the school to tell someone.
Meanwhile, little Pete was on a journey of his own. He had seen a cute kitten a few minutes ago and stopped to pet it. As it darted behind a bush, Pete chased it and found it under the bush with the cutest eyes staring back at him.
“Hi, little kitty, you are so cute. Do you want to come to school with me?” he said sweetly as he picked up the kitten.
Pete took his backpack off his shoulders and opened it up to place the kitten inside. Excited to show his friends and his sister what he had found, he closed the backpack and put it back over his shoulders.
As he walked toward the school, he realized Mary was nowhere in sight.
“You okay back there, kitty?” he asked.
He walked, hoping to see his sister soon on the way.
Back at the school, Mary was in a frenzy, not knowing where Pete was. Mrs. Hayward, the school secretary, said they would call their mother.
“But my mom will be so mad at me because I lost my brother,” Mary said with a worried look on her face.
“It isn’t your fault, Mary. Just sit here for a few minutes,” Mrs. Hayward reassured her as she picked up the phone.
Pete, meanwhile, realized he was lost. He began to look for someone who could help. He prayed to God to help him find his way.
“What are you doing out on the streets all alone, boy?” a gruff voice said from behind him.
Pete turned around to see a tall older man with torn clothes and a long white beard.
“Son, you look lost. My name is Ben. What’s your name?”
“Pete. Can you help me find my school? I lost my sister and myself, too. I found a kitten and it’s lost too. That’s how I got lost. I chased it and then put it in my backpack,” Pete said, trying not to cry.
“I can probably help you find your school. Did you say you have a kitten in your backpack?” the man asked.
“Yes, would you like to see it? It’s cute and little,” Pete offered.
“Sure.”
Pete took off his backpack and opened it up, but the kitten was gone.
All he could do was cry now. He was lost, scared, and couldn’t find his sister. Now the kitten he was going to take to school was gone!
“I’m scared!” Pete cried as he looked hopelessly up at the man.
“It’s okay to be scared. I’ve been afraid lots of times. I’ve been lost just like you and spent many nights hungry. I wish I had something to give you, but I don’t have anything. I’m just a poor homeless man. Let’s go try to find your school and your sister. Maybe the kitten will find you again.”
“What is a homeless man?” Pete asked curiously.
“I have no home to live in, no bed to sleep in, no money to buy food or clothing,” the man explained.
“At my church, we give things to people who have nothing. Maybe you should come to my church and get some stuff. They can help you there. Maybe they’ll even give you a home. Sometimes, we eat at church. Maybe they can feed you. They have a plate we put money in, and there is always a lot of money in it. Maybe they will give you some money,” Pete said.
“God gave up on me years ago, and so did people. I don’t think your church wants to see someone like me,” the man said sadly, having lost hope and faith.
“They would be nice to you and even give you new clothes. The ones you’re wearing aren’t good. You might get cold with all those holes in your clothes.”
“Pete! Where have you been?” a familiar voice yelled from across the street.
Pete looked over and saw his mom running toward him. Taking his knapsack off his back, he put it on the ground and reached in to grab his lunch.
“Here is my lunch. I want you to have it so you aren’t hungry anymore. Jesus will make more just like he did with the bread in the Bible. Then you will always have something to eat. Bye and thanks for helping me,” Pete said as he handed the old man his lunch.
He ran over to his mother.
“Who is that man, Pete? I told you never to talk to strangers,” his mom said as they walked across the street toward her car.
“Mom, he has no home. He was nice to me. He’s lost just like me and hungry, so I gave him my lunch,” Pete said.
“I am so glad you’re okay, Pete. It was nice of you to give the man your lunch. I just don’t want you talking to strangers,” Pete’s mom said, touched by her son’s compassion.
“Mom, I forgot to give him something,” Pete said. Then he walked over to the man who was sitting on the curb eating the lunch Pete had given him.
“I want you to have this, too. It’s my special red jelly bean. Every time I remember a Bible verse, my mom gives me a jelly bean. This morning I got a red one. Don’t eat it—just look at it every day so you can remember God loves you. He’ll get you new clothes and a home too!”
“Thanks, boy. Tell your mom she makes a good lunch.”
“Okay, bye.”
Two weeks later…
The same man walked into a local church carrying the red jelly bean Pete had given him. He would never forget the kind little boy he met on the street. Pete had given him a glimmer of hope beyond his pain.
Every time he looked at the red jelly bean, he thought of Pete and God’s love for him. For the first time, he had hope for a better tomorrow.
by Cori Leigh | Sep 18, 2021 | Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 altered our world in ways none of us could have anticipated. It shattered our daily routines, forced us into isolation, and for many, left an indelible mark of fear, uncertainty, and loss.
From health concerns to economic instability, life as we knew it changed for billions of people. For those who already struggled with anxiety and depression, the weight of these changes felt even heavier.
As we faced this global crisis together, one thing became clear: coping with hope, staying calm, and protecting our mental health were essential to getting through. While we couldn’t control the external circumstances, we could take steps to manage our internal responses.
Here are some ways to cultivate hope and calm your anxiety and fear during these unprecedented times.
Be Kind to Yourself: Practice Daily Self-Care
The first and most crucial step in managing rising anxiety is to be kind to yourself. During difficult times, self-care becomes more important than ever. When we neglect our own needs, everything seems harder. It’s essential to develop a routine that prioritizes your mental and physical well-being.
Some practical self-care habits include:
- Breathing exercises: Practicing relaxation breathing can help trigger a calm response and decrease anxiety symptoms. Slow, deep breaths can lower your heart rate and shift your focus away from stress.
- Mindful activities: Doing things that bring you joy or help you feel more relaxed, whether it’s reading, gardening, or creating something new, can provide a much-needed break from the chaos.
- Awareness of thoughts: Your thoughts have a powerful influence on how you feel. It’s important to recognize when you’re spiraling into negativity and to actively shift to more positive or constructive thinking.
- Exercise: Physical activity helps burn off the adrenaline that comes with anxiety. Even a short walk or a few stretches can make a difference.
- Positive content: Be mindful of what you consume. Avoid information that feeds your fear, and instead focus on uplifting or educational material that enriches your mind.
- Proper nutrition and rest: Maintaining a strong immune system is more important than ever. Eating well and getting plenty of rest not only supports physical health but also strengthens your mental resilience.
Resist Consuming Too Much Media
During the pandemic, information about COVID-19 was everywhere. While it’s important to stay informed, too much exposure to media—especially the constant cycle of negative news—can increase anxiety and make you feel overwhelmed. It’s easy to become consumed by every update, but this can magnify your fear and hopelessness.
Instead of starting and ending your day with news consumption, create boundaries around media use. Limit how much time you spend on news sites or social media.
Choose specific times to check for updates, and once you’ve done that, shift your attention to something positive. This practice not only reduces anxiety but also allows you to regain a sense of control over your mental space.
Focusing on what lifts you up rather than what drags you down is a powerful way to protect your peace.
Create a List of Things to Do
For some, the pandemic brought an overwhelming list of additional responsibilities—working from home, homeschooling children, or caring for family members. For others, it created a void, leaving them feeling bored and unsure of how to fill their days.
Regardless of which camp you fall into, having a list of daily activities can bring structure and a sense of purpose.
Your list doesn’t have to include grand achievements. Even small, meaningful tasks can give you something to look forward to and help you stay grounded. Whether it’s organizing your home, learning a new skill, or simply enjoying a hobby, having a plan for your day can ease feelings of restlessness and anxiety.
Staying busy in a purposeful way can shift your focus from what’s wrong in the world to what’s within your control.
Pray
The emergence of a deadly virus and the rapid spread of a pandemic was something none of us could control. In times like these, it’s easy to feel powerless, but leaning on something greater than ourselves can bring immense peace.
Find comfort in keeping a prayer journal, praying, reading scripture, or simply sitting in stillness to center their thoughts.
As you reflect, remember that even when things seem beyond our control, there is always peace found in faith in Jesus.
He is bigger than the pandemic!
Attitude of Gratitude
It’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong, but in times of crisis, it’s just as important to see what’s going right. Gratitude is a powerful tool that helps shift your perspective from what you’ve lost to what you still have.
Even amid the mess, there are moments of beauty and goodness. Take time each day to reflect on these moments, no matter how small they may seem. Whether it’s the warmth of sunlight through your window, a kind gesture from a neighbor, or the laughter of a loved one, there are always things to be thankful for.
Keeping a gratitude journal can help you stay focused on the positive aspects of your life, even in the darkest times. This practice not only lifts your spirits but also nourishes your mental health by reminding you that there is still good in the world.
Stay Connected with Others
One of the most difficult aspects of the pandemic was the isolation many people felt. Not being able to physically be with friends and family left many feeling confined and lonely. Yet, staying connected is essential for our well-being. Human connection, even from a distance, is a vital part of coping with hardship.
Thanks to technology, we can still reach out to our loved ones through video calls, phone conversations, and messages. Take time each day to check in with someone you care about, whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a neighbor. These small moments of connection can ease the sense of isolation and remind us that we’re not alone in this.
We weren’t meant to navigate life’s challenges in isolation, and by maintaining our connections, we can support each other through difficult times.
Conclusion: Cope with Hope
Friends, as dark as things may have seemed during the height of the pandemic, remember that this too shall pass. While we faced unprecedented challenges, we also found new ways to care for ourselves, connect with others, and cultivate hope. Through it all, you’ve survived, and that is something to be celebrated.
Stay well, stay safe, and hold on to the hope that brighter days are ahead. With a commitment to self-care, mindfulness, and connection, we can all cope with hope and emerge from these times stronger than before. Be blessed with peace.
