Short Story: Los Planes

Two years ago, I wrote my first fictional story ever as a school assignment. Our homeschool co-op of sorts, Classical Conversations, was just beginning our second semester, filled with mock trials, logic videos, and, most of all, short story assignments. After reading classics such as Tell-Tale Heart and Red-Headed League, we began writing our own short stories about whatever, wherever, or whomever we wanted.

While nearly all of us had found sorts of enjoyment in this task, I was, at the time, struggling with heaps of anxiety, particular angled towards my future. Of course, I was only an eight-grader, with more than enough time before I was graduated from high school. Nevertheless, a question rose: What am I going to do with my life? (It is important to note that, at this time, writing was only a seasonal holiday, to best put it. I only wrote when I was either bored, inspired, or finding nothing better to do.)

But however trivial me or my classmates might have thought this assignment was, this story is likely the way I found my true love for storytelling. As I tackled the plot, characters, and conflict (with the vast inexperience I had in this field), I began finding moral truth and spiritual assurance I hadn’t expected to find. And, by the time I had submitted the final draft and received my physical copy of our class’ story compilation, it was evident that God had given me the answer I needed to the doubts and fears I had about my next steps after middle school.

All this speaks to the unlimited possibilities on just how God is able to and will work through. He change you through miraculous wonders and spectacular breakthrough, of course. But he is also alive in the mundane, flowing through every opportunity and choice you might take. As I’ve shown, this story changed me forever, and I pray that it might touch you as well as your read. Enjoy.

Los Planes by Joshua Schmitz

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10YO-c3L7cs0b2Lfd01CZ-iBieMHwHK0NqtUpfCgSU5s/edit?usp=drivesdk