The Power of Your Actions
( to continue)

Graduation day arrived — I saw Kyle and he looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! 

Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked¹ him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" 

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings², maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." 

I stared at my friend in disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker³ so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." 

I heard the gasp⁴ go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth. 

Never underestimate⁵ the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others. 

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." 

There is no beginning or end ... Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. ( finished)

　　中文：

　　（续）毕业日来临了——我看到了凯尔，他看起来帅极了。他是那些在高中真正把握住自己的人之一。他长大了，实际上带着眼镜更好看。他的约会比我还要多，几乎所有的女孩都喜欢他。

　　天哪，有时候我都有些嫉妒。今天就是这样。我能看出他对于演讲有些紧张。因此，我拍了拍他的后背，说：“嗨，大小伙子，你会很出色的！”

　　他看了看我，带着那样的表情（真正出于感激的那种），笑了。“谢谢，”他说。开始演讲时，他清了清喉咙，开始说：“毕业的时候，你应该感谢那些帮助你度过最困难时期的人。你的父母、老师、兄弟姐妹、也许还有教练……但主要是你的朋友。我在这儿要告诉你们，做别人的朋友是你能给予他们的最好礼物。我要给你们讲一个故事。”

　　我不敢置信地望着我的朋友，他讲的就是我们第一天相遇的故事。他本来打算要在那个周末自杀，他谈到自己如何把课桌收拾干净，把他所有的东西都带回家，这样就不用妈妈以后再收拾了。他直直地看着我，给了我一个笑容。“谢天谢地，我获救了。我的朋友阻止了我去做那不堪设想的事情。”

　　当这位帅气的、受欢迎的男孩告诉我们有关他的最脆弱的时刻时，我听到人群中都深吸了一口气。我看到他的爸爸妈妈都看着我，带着同样感激的微笑。直到那时我才意识到它的深刻。

　　决不要低估你的行动的力量，一个简单的举止也许会改变人的一生，无论是好是坏。上帝让我们走进彼此的生命，在一定程度上影响着彼此。我们也要在其他人身上寻找到上帝的影子。

　　“朋友就是天使，当我们的翅膀不知如何飞翔时，他们能够帮你站立起来。”

　　根本不存在开始或者结束……昨天已成为历史，明天还是个谜，今天才是我们手中的礼物。（完）