Have you ever heard the phrase, “Hurt people, hurt people”? That was my life. I used to go to a public school where I had lots of  “friends,” but no real ones. When I was in 7th grade, my school felt like a prison, and life felt pointless. My mental health was deteriorating. I hated myself, and therefore, hated almost everyone else. I was jealous and depressed, but I hid it. Except for the arguments I would start. I think I argued for power; it was something I could finally control.

At the beginning of 7th grade, I had completely lost my own personality and sense of self. I had turned into the girl I was “best friends” with. Then, I lost all of the friends who I had changed myself for. The only friends I had that fall were gained by a shared “hate” of the girl who had once been my best friend. I continued to go to school, but barely. I missed more days of school than I attended. I could barely leave my bed. I never talked to God. Even though I wore a cross around my neck, I glorified the sins that my savior died on it for. One day in January, I began homeschooling. Homeschooling helped me a lot, until it didn’t. I felt completely alone, except for my family of course. I was anxious and depressed. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize at that time that I had always had Jesus, and I barely spoke to God.

My parents started looking for other schools. One of which was 2nd Nature Academy. I needed to be around other (nice) people again. One day in April, I went on a visit day at 2nd Nature Academy. It was so different from public school. During this time, I started to think about God more. On May 1st, I began going to school there for the rest of seventh grade. My anxiety was still there, but the teachers helped me through it. It was so different. My own principal was helping me? Crazy! It was like a whole new world. School didn’t feel like a prison anymore. But my rough times still overpowered my thoughts about God.

I went back for 8th grade. Another girl began there in my grade too. Vivian. I finally had good friends, a small circle, but a tight, close-knit circle. Natalie and Vivian. The “kewt newts.” I hadn’t considered staying for high school, but after praying a lot, I realized this was the best place for me.

Ninth grade and starting high school! At SNA, of course! Vivian and I had every single class together, and we began to get a lot closer. At some point, with school night sleepovers, laughing every second, and talking about God, I realized it. I finally have a real best friend. A best friend who also loves God.  I got a Bible and began to take Jesus more seriously. I realized that I had been lukewarm in my expression of my faith. By realizing that I’d been “Christian,” but lukewarm for my whole life was the turning point.  At some point with prayer and reading, I realized it. I have an eternal best friend.

In February of this year, 2025, I realized that I needed to fully give my life over to Him. My life needs to glorify Him. I love Jesus now. I'm me again. Except now, I’m starting to be the me that God made me to be. I know that God put me in this school for a reason, but I also know that God put me through that public school experience, those friendships, that drama, for a reason. Now I know that the devil has lost and that the arguing for power, gossiping, depressed, mean girl is gone. I chose God. I choose salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

© Mackenzie. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.