2015
Lunchroom Dilemma
July 2015


“Lunchroom Dilemma,” New Era, July 2015, 47

Lunchroom Dilemma

Matthew F., Tennessee, USA

Right before I started high school, our family moved almost 500 miles to Tennessee, USA. My goal was to make new friends as fast as possible. But by the end of the year I had just a few friends.

At lunch, I always sat with a girl I knew, as well as her friends. At first things went great and I enjoyed hanging out and talking with them. Unfortunately, as time went on, their conversations became more and more crude and riddled with profanity. I felt really uncomfortable because I didn’t want to participate in their conversations or hear that much vulgarity.

I decided to pray for an answer to what I should do. Should I stay and just ignore it or should I give up lunch with my friends for my beliefs? I received my answer shortly afterward; I knew I could not put my religious beliefs aside for friends. After lunch, I talked with my friend, and I decided to switch tables the next day. My friend was upset, but I knew the reasons for my decision, and my mind was made up.

Later on, I talked with a few people who were in my English class, and they were happy to make room for me at their table.

I’m now in my senior year, and my entire high school experience has changed because of that decision. After moving to a new table I made several new friends. My friends in this group know my standards and frequently talk to me about them and ask me questions. They respect my religious beliefs and don’t try to change me.

I know that the decisions I make today will affect me for the rest of my life. By acting on faith, I was blessed with what have become my best friends.