Who Needs to Change?

by Teresa Hunsaker

ME? BUT … It was Connie and Vicki … They …

When school bus number 882 finally turned onto the dirt road, I was never happier to see our house.

I was still upset from the argument that had exploded between me and my friends three days ago. Or should I say ex-friends? Now I thought of them as bullheaded and cliquey.

When the bus stopped, I marched down the stairs determined not to speak to Connie and Vicki again.

That night I tossed and turned as contention filled my dreams.

By morning I had a headache. I also woke up late. As a result, I ran around the house trying to get ready for school. I finally grabbed my books and slammed the front door without saying good-bye to my mom and little brothers and sisters as I raced to the bus stop.

I walked quickly down the aisle, finding a seat away from Connie and Vicki. I could feel their eyes watching me, but I sat close to the window and pretended not to see them. I reached for my history book to read my assignment. I was surprised when I opened Pathways to Perfection by Elder Thomas S. Monson. I must have inadvertently grabbed the book as I raced out of the house. It was as if it fell open to what I needed to read most: the chapter titled “Love As Jesus Loves.” The words seemed to be directed at me as I read scriptures from Matthew 22:36–39:

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

“This is the first and great commandment.”

Then these words penetrated my heart:

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” [Matt. 22:36–39]

Those verses took on new meaning for me. Tears filled my eyes as I felt my Heavenly Father’s love for me. And I realized that it wasn’t Connie and Vicki who needed to change. It was me!

That morning on the bus I made a commitment to serve and love the Lord through loving those around me.

Photography by Melanie Shumway