Article January 1, 2002 Issue

friends! NOT COMPETITORS

by Bernice Palgue—Baguio City, Philippines

During my first and second years in junior high school, I was among the top five students in my class. Now I'm in my third year. But after our second exam I was no longer in the top five. What's worse, my best friend replaced me on the list.

I felt angry and hurt. We had been really close; we shared assignments and helped each other in class. Now she was placed higher than me.

I got some help with my bad feelings toward her by reading the Bible. It says in Genesis 1:27 that “God created man in his own image.” To me, this means that since God is intelligent, my friend and I are both intelligent. So I realized I didn't have to compete with her.

I patched things up with my friend, and we became closer. After the third exam, we were both among the top five students. What makes me even more happy is that we have our friendship intact.

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