Nichole Grzych

Leo the Majestic Lion

“Leo, Leo, Leo the Lion,” they taunted in choir class.

Young Nikki sat upright on the edge of her choir seat in perfect singing posture beside another girl the students mocked and cruelly called “the troll.” Tina, despite the teasing, also sat tall and poised.

Nikki and Tina were honor roll students who tried their best to be respectful, hardworking, and positive role models, unlike many of the other students in the class.

Both girls dreamed of becoming stars in the school production of Grease. “Grease” was the word they heard repeated with excitement, rhythm, and possibility.

The taunting did not stop, but Nikki and Tina continued trying to be model students. Though embarrassed, they persevered.

Nikki assumed the nickname “Leo the Lion” came from her fierce lion’s mane hairstyle, which was fashionable at the time. She wore her hair in feathered curls framing her face, with volume on the sides and top that gave it the appearance of a lion’s mane.

Tina, meanwhile, was shorter and had a cute, stocky frame, which was why some students cruelly called her a troll. Nikki never understood the insult. She had always thought trolls looked small and cute. The teasing students clearly disagreed.

Much of the taunting was led by the choir class president, who seemed upset that Nikki was confident, determined, and unwilling to back down.

Nikki was vibrant, energetic, and full of personality.

She had already earned a coveted spot as a cheerleader, while the choir president, Shelly, had only been selected as an alternate cheerleader who substituted for absent team members and occasionally dressed as the school’s panther mascot.

Nikki believed Shelly should have been grateful to still participate, seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty.

In time, all the seventh-grade cheerleaders took turns performing as the panther mascot. However, Shelly continued to cry, complain, and mock Nikki until she was eventually allowed to cheer more regularly.

Now Nikki was auditioning for the Grease performance, and Shelly feared Nikki’s success once again.

Shelly encouraged the classroom to chant, “Leo, Leo the Lion,” making Nikki the center of ridicule. Nikki saw Shelly’s behavior as poor sportsmanship driven by jealousy and insecurity.

At home, Nikki prayed constantly. She danced, practiced choreography, spun to music, and asked God to bless her enemies rather than curse them because she had been raised in the Christian faith.

Eventually, Nikki earned a featured position at center stage during the Grease performance. She was already a cheerleader and carried herself with confidence and enthusiasm.

Although Shelly had once bullied her, she later became part of Nikki’s close-knit group of girlfriends, which Nikki called BFH. Nikki decided she wanted to be brave enough to befriend someone who had once treated her poorly.

As time passed, Nikki became a source of support and friendship for girls who had experienced abuse and hardship. She even welcomed Shelly into the group despite their difficult past.

Nikki was courageous and strong—a true lion at heart.

Eventually, she learned to view the nickname “Leo the Lion” as a compliment rather than an insult.

Life will always present moments where people try to taunt you, criticize you, or tear you down. But those same moments can also become opportunities to rise, grow stronger, and discover your own courage.

In the end, it is all about perspective.

Nikki chose not to let cruelty define her. Instead, she allowed it to inspire her to become even stronger, bolder, and more compassionate.

She would never forget her fierce and outgoing spirit.

And through it all, she believed it was for the love of Jesus and trusted that His will and love would guide her path.

Swimming God’s Sea: A Creature of Rebirth

It was a typical day spent riding tricycles in the church basement and talking to the janitor while little Nikki’s mom attended pottery classes at the church. Nikki’s mother was making Miss Piggy mugs for hot chocolate and mini marshmallows. It was a crisp October day, with Halloween approaching, and Nikki, about three years old, was already excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Little Nikki’s mother was a Sunday school teacher who was very active in the church. Much to her mother’s dismay, the janitor in the nearby furnace room knew Nikki well. Since she was a toddler, Nikki had spent many days each week riding tricycles in the basement, playing with toys in the classrooms, and staying in the nursery. She never missed a Sunday morning, Sunday evening, or Wednesday night service.

At the time, Nikki’s mother was taking pottery classes in one of the church basement rooms. Nikki loved the Miss Piggy ceramic mugs and had even helped paint a few before they were fired in the kiln.

The janitor snickered at little Nikki one day.

“Come here,” he whispered anxiously. “Pastor really wants to teach you something. It will be our little secret.”

The janitor glanced toward Nikki’s mother’s class and saw that she would be occupied for a while.

The pastor stood in the back of the large furnace room and opened a hidden cellar door behind a curtain.

“This is my secret place,” he said. “No one is allowed back here.”

Nikki peered inside and saw a large aquarium filled with otter-like creatures and enormous fish resembling dolphins, whales, sharks, and rays.

“This is God,” the pastor said. “It is His holy sea.”

The pastor lifted the lid in the floor leading into the large hidden aquarium.

“Give her a rub and let her in,” he instructed.

Nikki gently rubbed one of the otter-like creatures and held it carefully as it slipped in and out through the opening in the floor into the adjoining aquarium connected to the vast “sea” leading toward Lake Michigan. Nikki laughed in amazement as she watched the creature swim through the enormous tank.

The pastor spoke softly.

“These are my special creatures. They teach me about rebirth. They travel all the way to Lake Michigan and return reborn by God. They come visit me, eat God’s holy food from the church, and bring their friends to be saved.”

He continued:

“You see, we are the same. I am like God to these creatures. God has a place and food waiting for us in heaven. We are all swimming in His vast sea. If you want to know Him, keep coming to church and asking others to read the Bible to you. It is God’s food. When you get older, you will come to know the Bible yourself, share it with others, and open it to them. Just as the sea otter comes to me, you must go to God. I want you to know God. Let us pray.”

Suddenly, a loud scream echoed through the basement.

“Nikki, where are you?!” her mother shouted in panic.

“I do not want you in that dirty furnace room talking to that dirty janitor. They are not good with kids,” her mother scolded.

“But Momma, there are fishies and water in there,” Nikki protested.

“Yes, yes, dear child,” her mother replied exasperatedly. “Save those stories for when you are older. I hope you are okay. I need to take you to the doctor to get your head checked. You are not supposed to be in a furnace room with a janitor.”

The pastor had told Nikki that it was a secret and that no one else knew about the sea hidden in the furnace room. Nikki’s mother believed Nikki was once again imagining things, telling stories, or experiencing hallucinations.

God reveals what He chooses to reveal.

To Nikki, the church basement contained fish-like creatures swimming in a hidden sea connected to Lake Michigan — a secret world the pastor tended through the janitor, feeding the creatures holy communion in secret. The church held hidden rooms and hidden mysteries for little Nikki as she played there.

To her mother, however, it was simply an old church with blocked-off rooms meant to save money on heating and air conditioning.

Hammond remained a haunting place for Nikki, filled with memories like these.

 It is human nature to love and be loved. People naturally seek gratitude, pleasure, acceptance, and belonging while avoiding pain, dissatisfaction, and rejection. It is also in our nature to seek God’s love and accept Him. Faith is a journey and a walk through life. We can experience both joyful and difficult emotions at the same time, learning to open our hearts with gratitude and love. It is a choice.

Maybe today is the day you earn your angel wings. Read on…

Get Your Angel Wings Today

Come on—pack your bags. You can do it. Change your life for yourself today.

How? Seek your soul. Ask yourself how much love lives within your heart. Is your soul truly loved? Jesus is the answer. Download a Bible app today and begin reading.

Afraid to Be a Softie?

Human beings are meant to be kind. We are meant to love and be loved.

How do we become kind? Open the New Testament and begin with the Book of Matthew. Read consistently every day until you reach Revelation. Talk to God, be mindful of your words, and strive to speak peace, kindness, and love.

What If They Call Me Crazy?

When you live for Jesus, some people may call you crazy. But you can still find joy knowing you are saved and loved by a heavenly Father. Jesus is King. Through faith and belief in Him, many people find peace, hope, strength, and healing.

How Do I Have Faith and Belief?

Read the Bible and ask God questions. Make Jesus your closest friend.

One verse I memorized as a child was John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Try Jesus. He is kind. He is light. He is love. We are called to love, show kindness, and continue loving through both our words and actions.

Bring Jesus’ light into the world. Choose kindness. Choose love.

Love Jesus. Many believers find Him to be their comfort, protector, and guide.

Every time you read the Bible, let it encourage and strengthen you.

Every time you show kindness to another person, you bring more light into the world.

Start today with kind words and daily acts of kindness.

If you have not yet been baptized or connected with a church community, consider visiting a local church to learn more about faith and fellowship.

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I Overcame Addiction

I was raised with discipline and introduced to Jesus and church at a young age.

When I look back at old photographs, I see a young woman trying hard to fit in—wearing makeup, hairspray, highlights, tanning, and nail polish. Behind all of that, though, I struggled with unhealthy habits. I smoked cigarettes, drank a lot of soda, and occasionally drank alcohol socially because of peer pressure.

I was not living as healthily as I could have been. I covered acne, dark circles, and insecurities with makeup because I did not feel comfortable in my own skin.

Looking back, I realize much of it came from pressure to fit society’s expectations.

I fit the mold.

Over time, my relationship with Christ changed my perspective. I became focused on health, healing, modesty, and inner peace. I let go of many unhealthy habits and began creating a healthier life for myself spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

I learned to value authenticity over appearances.

I also began to see how many people struggle under unhealthy beauty standards—whether through starvation diets, dangerous surgeries, overexercising, or constantly comparing themselves to unrealistic expectations.

Today, I try to focus on wellness, balance, kindness, and caring for my body naturally.

I went from being a hurting teenager to becoming an adult who values life, gratitude, and helping others.

As I grew in faith, I began listening to Christian radio, attending church, and developing healthier humor and healthier habits. I realized many of my old behaviors came from insecurity and social pressure.

I no longer feel the need to hide behind appearances. I strive to be honest, open, and authentic.

I still occasionally wear makeup or style my hair, but it is no longer something I feel dependent upon for confidence.

I now focus more on health, balance, and peace.

I drink plenty of water, enjoy fruits and vegetables, drink tea and smoothies, and try to live moderately. I also enjoy exercise, walking, and caring for my mental health.

Letting go of addiction can be a beautiful thing.

It allows you to grow, discover yourself, and deepen your relationship with God and others.

Recovery is not always easy, and healing often takes time. God still loves people who are struggling, hurting, addicted, or sick. Healing is a process.

Balance, support, counseling, prayer, and healthy habits can all help.

If you are struggling with addiction, remember this:

You deserve healing.

You deserve peace.

You deserve a healthy future.

Try to replace harmful habits with healthier routines:

• Drink more water.
• Rest and sleep.
• Exercise.
• Spend time in nature.
• Read uplifting books.
• Pray or meditate.
• Connect with supportive people.
• Attend counseling or support groups if needed.

If you struggle emotionally or mentally during recovery, seek professional help from a doctor, counselor, therapist, or support group.

Withdrawal symptoms from addictions can sometimes include mood swings, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, or depression. It is important to care for both your mental and physical health during recovery.

Building a healthy support system matters.

Church communities, counseling, support groups, trusted friends, and family can all help you heal and stay accountable.

It is also important to be patient with yourself. Recovery does not happen overnight.

Take small steps.

If you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, try cutting back gradually. Celebrate small victories. Write down goals and positive affirmations to encourage yourself.

For example:

“I am strong.”

“I can overcome this.”

“I deserve healing.”

“With God’s help and support, I can grow.”

Exercise, walking, yoga, breathing exercises, and healthy routines can help manage stress and cravings.

Relaxation techniques such as warm baths, calming tea, meditation, prayer, or soothing music may also help some people.

Your environment matters too. Limiting time around unhealthy influences can make recovery easier.

Remember:

Healing is not weakness.

Asking for help is not failure.

Growth takes courage.

Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, counseling groups, churches, and recovery programs can all provide valuable support.

Recovery is not about perfection. It is about progress.

Keep going.

Jesus loves you, and many people believe faith can bring strength and hope during difficult times.

You are capable of change, healing, and growth.

Stay positive, seek support, and take life one day at a time.