It's a Green Thing (23 page)
Read It's a Green Thing Online
Authors: Melody Carlson
“I'll be back in about an hour,” Mr. Phillips told me.
So I went into Marissa's new room. It was a relief to see her in a less intensive-looking place. Oh, she still had tubes and machines, and her head was bandaged, but she looked slightly more peaceful. That seems like a weird way to describe her, but she did look peaceful.
As usual, I just began talking to her. I told her about the first day of school, how we'd prayed for her and kids had made fun of us. “Kind of like you would've done,” I said. “You've taken your share of potshots at Christians.” I kind of laughed. “Not that I blame you. I've felt the same way. But just because Christians aren't perfect doesn't mean that God's not perfect. And He probably gets frustrated at the way we act sometimes. Or maybe, because He's God, He doesn't get frustrated.” So I rambled on and on. Then when I knew my hour was coming to an end, I took her hand.
“Marissa, I really do love you.” This is how I usually end our time. “And sometimes I feel guilty that I haven't been a better friend to you, but as you know, I'm not perfect either. I really do believe your life is in God's hands now because everyone is praying for you and because God loves you. And so I'm not going to worry about you—I'm just going to keep praying.”
As I said this, I felt what seemed like the tiniest twitch of her fingers. “Did you just squeeze my hand? Can you hear me, Marissa?” I waited, and the tiny squeeze happened again. It was not a coincidence!
Just then her dad came back, and I told him what had happened. And it was so cool to see his eyes light up. “You think she can hear you?”
“I think so.”
Now he came over and took her hand. “Marissa, sweetheart, can you hear me? I want you to know how much I love you. I want you to know that I will never try to force you to be something you aren't. I will accept you for who you are. Can you hear me?”
Then he looked over at me with a huge smile. “She squeezed my hand!”
And although that's all we got from her this afternoon—a gentle squeeze of the hand—I believe it's the beginning. I believe she's coming back. And I believe that God is doing a miracle.
Now I've come to the last page of this diary, and although it's hard to end this volume while my friend still hangs in the balance, I feel certain that, one way or another, Marissa is going to be okay. I can't even explain why I feel so sure, whether it's because of the hand squeeze or simply because I know God is at work. But I do believe God is up to something—something big. I expect something miraculous is going to happen with Marissa, and I know something miraculous is happening in me. And I feel very hopeful for the school year ahead of me. Oh, I know there will be more bumps in the road, but with God at the wheel, it'll be a great ride.
Maya's Green Tip for the Day
Don't forget that God is the Great Recycler. He can recycle your heartache into strength. He can recycle a hurt relationship into a healthy one. He can recycle your lostness into being found. He can recycle your strife into peace. And He is ready to recycle whatever you want to give Him. So what are you waiting for?
After becoming a Christian, Maya wants to change. What motivates you to make changes in your life?
Why do you think Maya is more comfortable with Marissa than some of her Christian “friends”?
As a believer, Maya is as committed as ever to being green. How do you feel about conservation? What steps do you take to help care for the planet?
Why is it so important for Maya to meet regularly with Caitlin? Have you ever been involved in a mentoring relationship? Explain.
Maya doesn't like that Marissa parties and drinks, yet she continues to be friends with her. Do you think that's okay? Why or why not?
Do you think Maya was right to break up with Dominic? Why or why not?
Maya doesn't really want to have any contact with her mom, Shannon. If you were Maya's friend, how would you advise her?
Brooke is a piece of work and a huge challenge for Maya. Do you have anyone like Brooke in your life? If so, how do you deal with him or her?
Maya is still undecided about seeking emancipation from her parents. What would you do if you were in her shoes?
Were you surprised when Marissa was seriously injured in the car wreck? What do you think is going to happen to her now? Why?
I
T'S A
G
REEN
T
HING
P
UBLISHED BY
M
ULTNOMAH
B
OOKS
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921
Scripture quotations on pages 55 and 59 are taken from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. The other Scripture quotation on page 55 is taken from God's Word, a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations Bible Society. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.
Italics in Scripture quotations reflect the author's added emphasis.
The characters and events in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.
Copyright © 2009 by Carlson Management Co. Inc.
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of The Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.
M
ULTNOMAH
and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Carlson, Melody.
It's a green thing: a novel / Melody Carlson.
p. cm. — (Diary of a teenage girl. Maya; book no. 2)
Summary: Maya writes in her journal about her new-found Christian faith as she struggles with relationship problems and her friend Marissa's partying and dangerous lifestyle. Each chapter ends with a “go green” tip.
eISBN: 978-1-60142-263-7
[1. Christian life—Fiction. 2. Interpersonal relations—Fiction. 3. Conduct of life—Fiction. 4. Diaries—Fiction.] I. Title. II. Title: It is a green thing.
PZ7.C216637Is 2009
[Fic]—dc22
2008037958
v3.0
