Last week was Homecoming at East Davidson. There are few schools that celebrate homecoming with as much gusto as East. It starts the week before as students work to decorate the classroom doors. This year, I had a very talented young lady who worked with her friends to create a prize-winning design for my room. I am so proud of them for their hard work.

During homecoming week, the students and most of the faculty participate in dress-up days. Each day is assigned a theme for that day, with Friday being school colors day. The students love to see the faculty dress up, especially when we have toga day. My favorite day this year was character day. We were to dress up as characters from TV or the movies. I chose Woody from Toy Story. One of my students came to school dressed as me! When I saw him, I laughed and laughed. It was my favorite costume by far!

On Friday, we sponsored a float in the homecoming parade. It almost didn’t happen as we had trouble finding the trailer and then a vehicle to pull us in the parade. In the end, everything came together for us to ride in the parade. Our theme was from the National DECA theme, “I am DECA.” Each one of us on the float represented people from the different groups you find in a school: nerds, preps, athletes, etc. They wanted me to be Abe Lincoln. We didn’t have the best float, but we had a good time.

At lunch, DECA sponsored a band. These guys have so much talent for being so young. They played several songs, but mainly they just jammed together. Several of the fellows switched instruments, which revealed even more talent. Toward the end, they allowed a couple of other students from the audience to play. I was amazed by what those students could do.

In the middle of this absolutely crazy week, we were also trying to close down the first nine weeks grading period. That means we have to motivate students to make up missing work, which they could really care less about in the midst of all the excitement. To say it was a busy and crazy week is a major understatement. My time was stretched to the maximum.

In the middle of all this craziness, a colleague poked his head in my door one day. This guy is always good for a laugh. But this time, I could see in his eyes that something was wrong. I immediately stopped what I was doing to see what was bothering him. He was going through a difficult time and needed a friend who would listen. He’s done the same for me on more than one occasion, how could I do any different for him?

He shared his personal trials and I focused on listening. There wasn’t much I could say other than to let him know I was there and concerned for his situation. When he was done, I reminded him that he would be in my prayers. I saw him again today before I left work and while he wasn’t walking on top of the world, we did share a few laughs. His spirit, while not restored, was in the process of healing and I hope in part it was due to our good friendship and the power of prayer to change circumstances.

I firmly believe that God will use each one of us if we will make ourselves available to Him. All the things that I had to get done were not as important as being there for my friend. I have found that often God needs us at inopportune moments. His spirit can work through us in amazing ways if we will answer His call. I also believe that people underestimate the power of prayer to change circumstances. We all have a connection with God and He loves to hear from His children. Your prayers have the power to move the God of the universe.

I want to encourage you to open your eyes and notice the people around you who need a touch from God. So many people are looking for their ministry but God is looking for people who will minister His love and show His compassion to those who are hurting. I believe that God is sending you and me out into the world as His representatives, His ambassadors, to a world that needs a connection with God. Go and be life and hope to the people around you.

Doug Creamer has a new book out at Amazon: Revenge at the Bluebird Café. Contact him at doug@dougcreamer.com