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IS ANYBODY PRAYING FOR TRUDY?by Rebecca Somoskey |
Belinda flinched as Trudy slumped in the chair and glared at her. "I don’t see why I can’t be partners with Jamie."
Belinda wanted to yell back at her, "I don’t see why I can’t be partners with my best friend either." But she didn’t.
"For this assignment I want you to work with someone you usually don’t hang out with," Mr. Blake, their sixth grade Social Studies teacher, had announced. He then proceeded to call out those he had paired together. "This will help you develop your own social skills as well as learn something about a culture you know nothing about. Now, please follow me to the library. You will have the rest of the class period to do research on your assigned country."
Mizoram, a small country in India, was Belinda and Trudy’s assignment. They were to study the culture, then make a poster describing it.
Trudy hurried to the magazine rack, pulled out a teen magazine, plopped down in the chair and studied the pictures.
Belinda searched the reference books until she found several articles on Mizoram. She carried the books back toTrudy and stacked the pile on the table. Then she opened the first book, found the page and scooted it toward her. "Why don’t you read this article, and I’ll read another one, then we can compare notes," she said cheerfully."
Trudy snatched the book, glanced at the page, then shoved it back toward Belinda. "You do it."
That evening Belinda complained to her mom. "What did I do to deserve Trudy for a partner? We’ll never get our assignment done by Friday if she doesn’t help. If I make a bad grade, it will be her fault."
Belinda’s mom listened until she finished, then spoke. "Do you remember last Christmas when the church collected food and clothing for the people in that old run-down house at the end of Franklin street?’
Belinda thought for a minute. "Sure, but what has that got to do with Trudy?"
"That’s where Trudy lives."
"She does?" Belinda’s eyes grew wide. "But I never saw her when we were there."
"That’s because she didn’t live there then. Those are her grandparents. She came to live with them in January. "
"Of course," Belinda said. "I remember when Trudy first came to class."
Her mom continued, "Her mother dropped her off at her grandparents and has never returned for her. Both her grandparents are alcoholics, so Trudy is in a bad situation."
"So that’s why she’s so unhappy." Belinda was beginning to understand.
"Sometimes God puts difficult people like Trudy in our lives because they need prayer, and there’s nobody else to pray for them. Have you prayed for Trudy?"
"No," Belinda admitted. "But that’s still not going to help me with this assignment."
"Just pray about it, do the best you can, and leave the rest to God."
The next two days Trudy read a magazine in class while Belinda researched, drew illustrations and labeled. Twice she offered Trudy a marker and asked her to fill in some of the letters she had outlined. But Trudy just shoved them away and said." You do it."
As she worked Belinda prayed silently. God bless Trudy. Help her to come to know You, so she can be happy. Help me to be patient and kind. Then she thought, How many others in this room have no one to pray for them? She glanced around the room at all her classmates. I don’t know who they are, but You know, God. Help them now.
With a black marker she outlined the letter M in the word Mizoram. How many people in Mizoram have no one to pray for them? God bless the people of Mizoram.
On Friday Belinda stood proudly beside the poster she had made. Trudy stood beside her and drummed her fingers on the table.
Mr. Blake smiled as he studied the poster, then marked a big A in the corner and in his grade book. "You girls have done an excellent job," he said.
Trudy beamed. "Thank you, Mr. Blake."
Belinda gritted her teeth. She wanted to scream out. I did all the work. Trudy didn’t help. Not one little bit! The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t speak them. How could she tell on Trudy and pray for her at the same time?
Mr. Blake passed on to the next pair.
"Why didn’t you tell on me? " Trudy asked as they took their seats.
"Because Jesus said to do good and pray for those who mistreat us. I’ve been praying for you since Tuesday." Belinda answered.
Trudy’s eyes filled with tears. She turned away and drummed her fingers on the table.
Belinda closed her eyes and prayed silently.
After a few moments she felt Trudy touch her arm and whisper, "If you’ll be my partner next time, I’ll do all the work."
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