NOT IN MY SCHOOL YOU DON’T

by Mariane Holbrook

“What is your favorite color, class?”
Our teacher asked of us.
The school day was about to end;
Outside we heard our bus.

“That’s your assignment for tonight
So give it careful thought.
Be sure to use the essay style
That you have just been taught.”

We hurried from our class that day
Discussing what she’d said.
We changed our minds a dozen times
From pink to blue to red.

Around the dinner table we
Discussed it endlessly.
But there was not one color choice
On which we could agree.

While sitting at my desk that night
I felt God speak to me.
“This is a chance to share your faith
Though some might disagree.”

It seemed the words flew out of me;
I felt God’s guiding hand.
Though I was only twelve years old
‘Twas time to take a stand.

“Of all the colors in the world
‘Red’ is the one that wins.
It represents my Savior’s blood
He shed for all my sins.

“When soldiers beat Him with their clubs,
His blood flowed red with pain.
It poured from every stab and wound
And left an awful stain.

“God could have made us pay for crimes
That we had surely done.
But God’s love was so great that He
Gave up His own dear Son.”

I turned the two-page essay in,
Surprised our teacher chose 
To read it to our English class
But soon her voice just froze.

“Your work is unacceptable.
You know we cannot speak
Or write of Jesus, God or sin.
You’re suspended for one week.”

I put my books into my bag
And told the kids goodbye
I didn’t know if I’d be back
Or if I’d even try.

My mom and dad just hugged me tight
And said they loved me, too.
They said reporters were outside
To see what I would do.

It finally ended peaceably 
And I returned to school.
The kids were wearing red that day
And thought that it was cool.

But best of all were letters 
I’d received from kids like me
Who’d placed their faith in Jesus Christ
And He had set them free.