Whatever Happened To The Good Little Boy?

Whatever Happened To The Good Little Boy? Whatever Happened To The Good Little Boy?

I’m Mark Hutcheon and this is my story.

My dear mother always said, Mark, “you are perfect”. She probablysaid this out of her love for me, wanting to encourage me. Maybe shesaid this, because, compared to most other kids, I was prettygood. After all, my parents raised me with manners, and Igenerally was well-behaved and did well in school. Plus, I tried togo to church almost every Sunday, even through my teen years.

However, I knew I wasnít a perfect young man. Thisrealization began about the time I was in fifth grade, when I changeda mark on my report card. I received a dreaded “U”, meaning”UNSATISFACTORY” for “Self Control.” I changed it to an “S” for”Satisfactory” to deceive my parents into thinking I was still their”good little boy” The teacher caught it, and I was disciplined forlying. I knew I wasnít perfect.

Since about that time, I saw myself as “flawed,” andconsidered myself a “loser.” I was always bothered with notbeing the best – in schoolwork, sports, my looks. I got involved withmischief, stealing, and perverted thoughts and actions. This demeanoraccompanied me through high school and college, although I matured insome of these areas as I grew up.

In college my imperfection was magnified further, as I struggledthrough the courses. I was humbled by my difficulty. I wasdepressed almost all the time. The rock music I listened toseemed to just fuel this depression. One rock band I listened to evenmade reference to God, but still I wasnít gettinglifeís answers. My spirit seemed to groan inside me as Istrained to find peace.

I graduated from college, got married, and moved to Parkersburg,West Virginia, where I began working at my first career job. My wifeand I decided together to find a church that preached the Bible and”salvation.” I didnít just think of this idea on my own. AChristian friend of my wifeís had been explaining the Bibleand Godís plan to her throughout the previous year or so Wewere on our own, newly married, in a new state, and in a new job.Even though I had never been to a Bible-preaching church, I did notobject to going. It sounded like a reasonable thing to do. After all,I was still searching for lifeís answers.

As we visited North Parkersburg Baptist Church, my “guard was up.”It seemed so unholy and sacrilegious because the people smiled andgave us a hearty welcome. My idea of a church was one where the altarwas reverenced and nary a word was said to anyone except, “peace bewith you.” I remember thinking that, “God must be sick of all thisunholiness.”

But, when the service started, and particularly the preaching ofthe Word of God, it began to get my attention. As the preacher wouldread and explain scripture, and I saw it with my own eyes, I began tosee the real me and my dismal condition. My sin was myproblem. It was like God pulled the black curtains frombefore my eyes. For the first time, I saw myself as God saw me – ahopeless, bad young man. On the outside, I was a cocky, proud youngman. On the inside, I was still that depressed, empty, strugglingyoung man.

The preacher then gave me the answer to my sad condition by way ofa Bible verse – John, chapter one, verse twelve, But as many asreceived Him(Jesus Christ), to them gave He the power to become thesons of God, even to them that believe on His name. He said thatthe Lord Jesus Christ had gone to the cross to pay for my sins and togive me new life. Soon after that, the church members began to sing asong, “Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shedfor me.. And that thou biddest me to come to thee, O Lamb of God, Icome, I come.” As I stood in that pew, slumped over andbroken, I prayed and asked Christ to deliver me from my sin, and Ireceived Him as my Lord and Savior.

Since that day, the Lord has led my life. God turned that “loser”into this “winner” for His sake. I am still nothing by myself, butChrist has given my life His purpose. I beckon toHis call now. His goals are my goals, instead of me setting my owngoals. Since God saved me, I have new words to describe my life:satisfied, full, whole, complete, content, confident, solid,firm, assured, purposeful, guided and victorious.

I ask you: Do you see yourself as being caught in the muckand mire of this life? Does it seem like you just canít win?Are you proud on the inside, but struggling with life and groaningfor real peace within yourself? If you donít know theLord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you dont have real peace now. Iurge you to pursue Christ. I have nothing to gain by you doing this— but you have everything to gain.

Mark Hutcheon and his wife, Lisa, and their four children live inMacungie, Pa. If you would like to know more about the Savior thatchanged Mark’s life, you are welcome to attend the

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