LONGVIEW, Texas -- Defining moments, you know, those small instances in the day that seem to make everything right; that make every effort worthwhile. I experienced one of these instances just recently during our STARS After-School Program.

In between discussing math problems, reminding the students to use encouraging words instead of negative, and keeping them focused on their tasks, one student approached me pointing at the bulletin board.

“Miss, that says Luke. I’ve heard of Luke. He wrote a book in the Bible. I’ve been reading the Bible.”

“That’s great Antonio!” I encouraged. “What have you been reading?”

“Well, it hasn’t been Luke. I’ve been reading in Matthew. The Crucifixion of Jesus. I just can’t seem to get enough of it. I keep re-reading the same passage over and over. I find it so interesting.”

“What about this passage do you find so intriguing.”

“You know miss, He [Jesus] just hung there, in pain. He could have gotten off of there if he wanted, but He didn’t. I don’t think I could have done that. If I was hurting so much, I would have just gotten off.”

With a smile, he soon carried on with his homework and our conversation was over. But in that moment, there was a peace that soothed over all the hectic conversations and loud noises. It was that instance that blessed my heart more than he will ever know. That moment made the program a success; it made all the hard times worthwhile. Buckner’s vision: “to lead children…towards God’s redemptive purpose for their lives” was revealed in that defining moment.

Kandyce Ormes is a life-skills specialist for Buckner and helps with the STARS after-school program in Longview, Texas.