| FAITH |
[Nov. 12th, 2006|05:43 pm] |
 
"
I don't think anyone is going to send you
money, Jessica, people just aren't that kind," said my mother, who doubted
my entire endeavor. I was shocked and taken aback by such a comment. "But
you're wrong. People are kind, and there has to be at least one person who will
be generous enough to send me money," I argued. My mother sighed and shook
her head.
Last fall I sent 200 letters to businesses, doctors and friends
asking for sponsorship so I could attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on
Medicine. Everyone doubted my efforts and I heard every excuse why people would
be too busy to help me. "It's a bad time of year. The holidays are right
around the corner," said my grandma. "These people don't even know you.
Do you honestly think a stranger will send you money?" asked my friends.
"Why put yourself through all this disappointment. Just forget it,"
said my grandfather. I decided not to listen. The best thing I could do was
attend the Forum and learn more about my future career
I waited weeks for
my first re-sponse, which came from a bank. I was thrilled to see a letter on the
dining room table and tore it open. "Dear Jessica," it read. "At
this time our bank does not offer aid to students, but we wish you luck and
success in your project." My heart sank. I was rejected. I grasped the chair
and looked at my grandpa. "Well?" he asked. He should have been able to
tell from my disappointed face. "Here," I said, as I handed him the
letter and trudged upstairs to my room. I flung myself on my bed and sulked. But
then I realized what I was doing. Don't get depressed over this, I thought. It's
only one rejection. Cheer up. Someone will send you money.
I rushed home
every day the next two weeks. As soon as I was in the door, I yelled, "Any
mail for me?" I usually heard, "No mail, Jess," and my hopes
plummeted more every time. With the deadline approaching, I had no money. I was
starting to face the truth - I was wrong. I was floating on a cloud of false
hopes and silly dreams. I wouldn't get the money I needed. People are
heartless.
But one day, I came home and heard four beautiful words,
"Jessica, you have mail." I had not one letter but two. I opened them
to find each had a check for $50. My faith was restored and my hopes skyrocketed.
I was $100 richer! I jumped around the room, hugging and kissing my parents. Some
people really cared.
The cash flow didn't stop there. I ended up with
nearly half the tuition and was able to pay the rest myself to attend the Forum.
I also received more rejections, but it didn't bother me. I learned that
rejection is part of life and I'll always have to deal with it. This fundraising
experience taught me so much - I have the strength to persist and giving to
people is important. When I see people trying to raise money, I offer whatever I
have to make their work a little easier.
This is the first story I am really impressed with, as it contains many other things other than just relying on one's faith. By them, I mean like the girl in the story wished to study and worked for it. When she lagged funds, she planned for it and again worked for it. She relied on herself and wott I liked most she relied on the people.
AND OFFCOURSE SHE NEVER LOST FAITH ON HERSELF.
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