Article October 25, 1999 Issue

Starting over

Whatever we need to do, we're never actually doing it alone.

By Judith Hardy Olson

I saw a small prayer circle—inconspicuous, in a shadowy corner of a metropolitan train station—four young teens and a big brother figure holding hands, eyes closed in silent prayer. Then the big brother's quiet assurances: "You can do it. Stay strong in the Lord. You'll be tested. Every day. Know that. Stay strong in the Lord." Quick, manly hugs all around, then they went outside, where he put them on a Greyhound bus.

A relaunch after rehab perhaps? All I knew was, the earnestness in the faces of those boys, the respect of their counselor, the strength of their shared bond, all said these boys not only could but would "stay strong in the Lord."

Minutes later, I was on a commuter train pondering that poignant picture—its spiritual strength, so pure, so potent. My thought was full of appreciation for those programs and people worldwide that help others restart rightly, and for the efforts of anyone starting over, wanting to do better.

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