Perspective Stories
(send yours to caden2carter@gmail.com) <3
Caden Carter- I just got back from a 4 day cruise with my family and I had no service or friends with me. So, I realized I wasn’t going to do much so most of my days were consisted of Bible studies. The first day I sat on deck 4 for 2 hours reading the New Testament and nobody said a word to me. People came and went but suddenly as I was wrapping up Ephesians a 16 year old guy named David approached me. He was amazed because there were many other opportunities on the ship and I was reading my Bible. He told me he was about to “knockout and doze off in bed when God called him to go up to the mic that was making all the noise and say Jesus Christ is king.” So he went up to the DJ and asked her if he could talk to her. She was packing up and said to wait up the stairs and give her 2 minutes. I was sitting right next to the stairs and he sat down by me. We had a genuine conversation about things we struggled with, things we could improve, our life stories, prayer requests, our relationship with the Lord, how we could be better servants of God, and many other things. I was speechless about what just happened and asked if I could share our story when I got home. He agreed and we ended up scheduling a bible study the following days and exchanging contacts. I’ve heard numerous stories of God moving lives. I’ve prayed and prayed for it to happen to me, whether I’m called to do it, or it happens to me. And when it happens to you, it’s a completely different feeling.
Caden Carter- A couple years back, my great grandmother lived at our house because she was dealing with breathing problems. Grandma Pat was constantly on a breathing machine and could not go anywhere without it. She had nobody and nothing left, so we let her live with us. I was very young at the time and my parents were always working, which made me spend a lot of my time with her. She picked me up from school, made me food, bought me gifts, and told me about Jesus Christ. I was so interested in her words and would go by her room everyday to learn more about our heavenly father. Grandma Pat told me about the path to heaven or hell, about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, the resurrection, Jesus’ men, the importance of prayer, and many other important things. After about a year, she started having brain problems leaded to dementia, she began using the bathroom on herself, and breathing worse. I cried to God, “why, why, why, is this happening,” I prayed so much about the situation at such a young age. She was in very bad shape, when one day I was at my friend’s birthday party at his house. I had no sort of communication with my parents so I found out when I got home. She had passed away with a heart attack while I was gone and was wearing the bracelet I got her days before. I was heartbroken, I felt so betrayed by God. But, I realized God did not want me seeing that and was telling me, “time is limited, she is in a way better place now.” My perspective was changed from that day forward.
Caden Carter- We were out to eat dinner as a family one day at a new hibachi restaurant. We had ordered our drinks and appetizers when I realized our waiter had a bad attitude and tone towards us as the customers. That’s when I sarcastically said “isn’t she just a bundle of joy.” Then my mom and brother spoke up and said they noticed how she was treating us and something was off about her as our waitress. That’s when my dad stated, “You never know what she could be going through, she could have a miscarriage this morning or lost a loved one. It is not our job to judge others, only our creator has the opportunity to do that.” That message changed me and my perspective on judging people. Luke 6:37 “Who am I to judge another, when I myself walk imperfectly.”
Caden Carter- After work one day, my friend and I decided to meet at the park for a cardio day and run for a bit. I arrived a little earlier than him, so I decided to sit down and stretch while I waited. As I was walking toward the benches, I noticed a man sitting alone with a speaker playing music pretty loudly beside him. Instinctively, I judged the situation and avoided him. I walked around and sat on the next bench over. As I sat there preparing to stretch, I heard the music he was listening to and it was worship music. Then I noticed he had a Bible in his hands and was flipping through the pages. Immediately, I felt God pressing something on my heart: "Go sit next to him and talk to him." But I am a very shy person, and I usually don't start conversations and prefer to keep to myself. The thought of walking over to a complete stranger made me uncomfortable, but the feeling wouldn't go away. The more I sat there, the more I felt God urging me to go. Finally, God gave me the courage to stand up, walk over, and sit beside him. We introduced ourselves, exchanged names, and began talking. One of the first things he asked me was if I was a believer. I told him that I had followed Christ from a young age, worked at a church, and ran this ministry brand. As we continued talking, he shared his testimony with me. He told me that two years ago God saved him from a life of drugs and gang violence. Hearing that reminded me that nobody is too far gone for God's grace. No matter where someone has been or what mistakes they've made, God can completely transform a life. I asked him what church he attended, and he told me he went to one in a nearby town. He mentioned that he wished he could attend other services throughout the week instead of only Sunday mornings. That gave me the opportunity to invite him to the late service at my church that Sunday. His face immediately lit up. He told me he would love to come and even said he might bring some others with him as well. As I think about that encounter, I realized how close I came to missing it because of my own assumptions. I judged someone before I knew a single thing about them. God used that moment to teach me not only about obedience, but also about the power of simply talking to people. You never know where a conversation might lead. Sometimes all it takes is being willing to step out of your comfort zone. And sometimes, openly reading God's Word or listening to worship music in public can be the very thing that starts a conversation that God has already prepared.
Emily Rhodes- A few months ago, I went to a small park near my college to clear my head after a heavy week. I had failed an exam, lost my job at the student center, and felt like God was distant. I sat on a bench and quietly prayed, “Lord, I don’t even know what to say anymore, but please show me You’re here.” About ten minutes later, an older woman with a soft smile sat on the opposite end of the bench. She didn’t say anything to me at first, but after a moment she looked over and said, “Honey, I don’t know what you’re going through, but God told me to tell you this... He hasn’t forgotten you.” I froze. She had no idea I had been praying that exact thing. She introduced herself as Margaret and explained that she takes walks every evening asking God to show her someone she can encourage. I ended up telling her everything, my stress, my doubts, how I felt like I disappointed God. She prayed with me right there in the park, tears rolling down both of our cheeks. Two weeks later, I passed my exam retake, got a new campus job, and have stayed in touch with Margaret ever since. That night changed my walk with the Lord. I realized God listens, even when all you can whisper is a broken prayer.
Jordan Ellis- My younger brother, Caleb, and I fought constantly growing up. He made choices that led him into trouble, like drinking, skipping school, hanging with the wrong people. Every night, my mom and I prayed for him, but as the years passed, I honestly lost hope that he’d ever change. One night, Caleb got into a car accident. He wasn’t drunk, but he was driving too fast and slid into a ditch. He came home shaken, not hurt, but terrified. At 2am he knocked on my door and said, “Jordan, I need God. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.” We talked for hours. For the first time in years, he admitted he felt empty, angry, and lost. We prayed together on the edge of my bed, and I watched my brother, who used to laugh at my faith, break down and surrender his life to Christ. Now he goes to church with me every Sunday and even joined a men’s Bible group. Seeing God transform his heart reminded me that nobody is too far gone. God hears every single prayer... even the ones you’ve prayed so many times that you’ve stopped believing they matter.
Anonymous- Last year I was flying home for Christmas and the airport was packed. People were irritated, loud, and impatient. I was exhausted and honestly not feeling very “Christian.” I just wanted to get home. When I reached my gate, I saw a father struggling with a crying toddler while trying to juggle two suitcases. People around him rolled their eyes, whispering about how annoying the situation was. I was tempted to do the same until I felt a tug on my heart: help him. I hesitated at first, but finally walked over and said, “Can I hold your bag while you handle your little one?” He looked at me like I had handed him gold. We talked while waiting for the flight and he told me his wife had passed away only four months earlier. He was traveling alone for the first time with his daughter. I felt tears forming as I listened. Before we boarded, I asked if I could pray for him. He nodded, and right there in the middle of the noisy airport, we prayed for strength, peace, and healing. When we boarded, he turned around and said, “Thank you. I needed that more than you know.” That day reminded me how many hurting people walk among us… and how God places us exactly where we’re needed.
Ethan Riley- A couple of years ago, I worked the closing shift at a grocery store. Most nights were the same... stocking shelves, cleaning up, and helping the last few customers before we locked the doors. One night, about fifteen minutes before closing, an older man came through my checkout line with only a loaf of bread, a carton of eggs, and a can of soup. As I scanned his items, I could tell something was bothering him. He looked exhausted. His eyes were red like he hadn't slept in days. When I told him his total, he started searching through his pockets and counting change. After a few moments, he realized he didn't have enough money. Embarrassed, he asked me to remove the soup. As I stood there, I felt God nudging me to pay for it myself. At first, I ignored the thought. I wasn't making much money, and it seemed like such a small thing. But the feeling wouldn't leave. So, I paid for the soup and handed him his bag. The man looked at me for a second and said, "You have no idea how much this means." I smiled and told him it was no big deal. Then he explained that his wife had been in the hospital for weeks. He had spent nearly every day by her side and had barely taken care of himself. The little bit of money he had left was all he could spare until his next paycheck. Before he left, he shook my hand and thanked me again. I didn't think much of it after that. To me, it was just a can of soup. About six months later, I was helping at a church event when a man walked up and asked if I remembered him. I didn't at first, but then he reminded me about the grocery store. He told me his wife had recovered, and during one of the hardest seasons of his life, that small act of kindness reminded him that God still cared about him. He said it encouraged him to start attending church again after years away. I was completely shocked. What felt insignificant to me had meant everything to someone else. That experience changed the way I view opportunities to help people. We often think God only works through big moments, but sometimes He uses something as simple as a conversation, a prayer, or even a can of soup to remind someone they aren't alone.
Brooklyn Mitchell- Last winter, I was driving home from work during one of the worst weeks I had experienced in a long time. My grandfather had recently passed away, bills were piling up, and I felt like every prayer I prayed was hitting the ceiling and coming right back down. As I sat at a red light, I noticed a woman standing on the corner holding a cardboard sign asking for help. Normally, I would have kept driving. I had places to be and honestly wasn't in the mood to stop for anyone. But something in my heart wouldn't let me look away. I pulled into a nearby gas station and bought a bottle of water, a sandwich, and a small gift card. When I walked back over and handed them to her, she immediately started crying. At first, I thought she was just overwhelmed by the food, but then she said something I'll never forget. She told me, "Before you pulled over, I asked God for a sign that He still saw me. I told Him that if someone brought me food today, I would know He hadn't forgotten me." I stood there speechless. The truth was that I had been questioning if God saw me. Yet somehow, in the middle of my own doubts, God used me to answer someone else's prayer. We talked for a few minutes, and before I left, I asked if I could pray with her. Right there beside a busy road, we bowed our heads and prayed together. As I drove away, I realized something. God may not have answered my prayers in the way I expected, but He was still working. He was still present. He was still listening. That day changed my perspective. Sometimes God reminds us of His faithfulness by allowing us to be part of someone else's miracle. Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God."