"You don't think the teacher will hear us, do you?" my lab partner whispered to me. We were watching an extremely boring video on the lifestyle of the cell. Instead of taking notes, we were talking.

"Nah, I don't … " Before I could finish my sentence, I looked up and saw the teacher standing over us, giving a stern look.

"Just kidding!" I blurted out, not sure why I said it. I guess it just seemed to be the best way to lighten up what could turn into a tense situation.

"What did you say?" my teacher asked in a tone that seemed more surprised than angry.

"Uh, just kidding."

"You know, you sound like the girl who sits in your seat the period earlier. Come to think of it, you two sound a lot alike. I'm sure you must be friends with Lauren."

"Well, yes … we're very good friends," I answered, relieved the teacher seemed more interested in me and my friend than in the fact that I'd not been paying attention in class.

After the period ended, Lauren and I met up so we could walk to our next class together—something we always do. Next to Lauren was a girl who was new to our school. After Lauren introduced me to her, the three of us walked down the hall together. As Lauren turned the corner to go into her classroom, she shouted above all the hallway noise:

"Meet me by the … "

"Pop machine!" I shouted back, finishing her sentence.

"Of course!"

The new girl was staring at me. "I can't believe it," she said. "You guys finish each other's sentences and keep changing subjects so fast that no one can keep up with you!"

That's when it hit me: What if I knew Jesus as well as I know my best friend? I thought about what it would be like to be able to finish his sentences. To think his thoughts. To laugh his laugh. To smile his smile. To cry over things he'd cry over. To care about the things he cares so much about.

And then I thought about how my teacher and the new girl sort of "saw" Lauren in me, since we're so much alike. What if people "saw" Jesus when they saw me? What if I were so close to him that my life looked a lot like his?

I still have a ways to go, but I really want to build that kind of relationship—the kind that will make people stop and say, "Hey, you remind me of Jesus. You two must really be close."


Written by Allison Asimakoupoulos