New Guy

By Matthew Okabe

I was having a hard time feeling like I fit in. My family had recently moved clear across the country. The ward we moved into had a large youth group, but this was the first time I would be the “new guy.” The worst part was that I had to go to a new school, and the thought immediately flashed through my mind, “Who am I going to sit with at lunch?” Maybe I would see someone from church, but I didn’t want to barge in on someone else’s lunch table, especially since I didn’t know if they would even want me there!

The first day at school seemed to drag on forever. Finally the lunch bell rang. As I slowly entered the lunchroom, I prayed to Heavenly Father to help me find someone I knew. I glanced around to see if I could recognize anyone. No one. So I made my way to a table on the far side of the lunchroom and ate my lunch.

Later that day during math class, I recognized a familiar face. I had seen David at seminary that morning. He asked to see my schedule and discovered that we both had the same lunch period. “Hey, where were you at lunch today?” he said.

“I ate on the far side of the room,” I responded.

“Well, tomorrow come and sit with me at lunch,” he said.

I’m grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, who knows each of our needs and who answers each of our prayers. I’m also grateful for someone who was willing to extend a hand of friendship. Something as simple as an invitation can make all the difference.