”CHRIST” BY JANSON JERYLE GABRIEL C.

 "CHRIST"

              Back in 7th grade, during the height of the pandemic, I felt lost and unsure of where I was going, and my life was confusing. Everything had changed so quickly, and I struggled to keep up. One moment, I was in a classroom surrounded by people, and the next, I was stuck behind a screen, disconnected from everything I once knew. Classes were online, and I was isolated from people, and I felt that my relationship with God was far from close. I believed He existed, but I did not truly trust Him. I thought I had to carry everything on my own. I focused only on what I could see in front of me– such as my problems, my failures, and my stress. I was seeing life in pieces, not as a whole. I did not understand that God had a bigger plan for me.

Over time, something in me started to change. It was not sudden. It began in small, quiet moments. I started praying, not out of habit, but because I needed comfort and peace. In those quiet times, I felt like God was listening. Even when life felt still, I noticed that he was present. He never left me, even when I thought I was alone.

As I continued to reflect, I stopped focusing only on what was wrong. I started to understand that my thoughts, emotions, actions, and faith were all connected. I finally knew everything had a meaning. Life was not just about solving problems or getting through each day. I began to see everything more clearly. I realized that big changes are possible, even when we feel stuck. I also understood that we should never lose hope. God may move quietly, but He is always working in the background.

In 9th grade, I became a sacristan in a Salesian organization. That experience helped me grow in discipline, responsibility, and humility. Serving during Mass taught me how to put God first. It was not just something I had to do. It became something that shaped who I was, and more importantly it became a personality.

Now that I am in 11th grade, I continue to serve as a sacristan, this time in an Augustinian community. At first, it felt unfamiliar. But over time, it helped me grow deeper in faith. Each duty for God made me love him more and understand his teachings deeper. I learned to serve with sincerity, to be open to change, and to reflect more on how God works through everyday life.

Looking at who I am now, I can see how much I have changed. I no longer view life in pieces. I trust that every experience plays a part in shaping who I am. Even when I feel unsure, I know God is with me, guiding me through everything. My personal experiences molded me on what I am right now. I now realize that even when my mistakes from the past were scarring, they remain as a reminder, and as a lesson that I will continuously remember as time passes by.