As Mother and the children drove back from church, while listening to hymns, Mother overheard the children quietly having a conversation. She started to pay attention to what they were saying.
“Annie, you have to speak to Priscila. You know she is offended by what you said,” Maxi said.
“Why should I speak to her? She is quite sensitive you know. Anyways, if she has something to say to me, she should come speak to me,” Annie said, with pride in her voice.
Mother was stunned with what she had heard. Priscila was one of Annie’s good church friends. They would often sit with each other at lunchtime to eat. Mother then realized that on the past two Sabbaths, Priscila had not sat beside Annie. Mother decided she would speak to Annie at home.
At home, after the children got ready for bed, Mother went into Annie’s room. She found her practising her violin for a special she was preparing for the coming Sabbath.
“Annie, I would like to speak to you about something; please come sit here with me,” said Mother as she patted the bed, indicating the spot beside her.
“Yes, Mother?” asked Annie sweetly.
“Well, when we were in the car coming back from church I heard you and Maxi speaking about something that happened with you and Priscila. I would like to know what happened.”
“Oh, yes, but truly mother, it is not a big deal,” said Annie sincerely, “the thing is two weeks ago while we were practising our violins together, Priscila kept making mistakes. So I said to her, ‘Priscila, it is obvious you have not been practising much, you should really do so.’ And she said to me, ‘I have practised, Annie, but the hymn you chose is really difficult for me. You have to remember, I am still a beginner.’ Then I said, ‘Priscila, that is no excuse; if you practise every day for half an hour you will do well, just like me.’ That was the end of it. Afterwards, I noticed she was distant, and especially at lunchtime, she just stopped sitting with me.”
“Well, it seems to me that Priscila is offended about something you said or did. Do you not think so?” Mother asked.
“Yes, but nothing I said was offensive,” Annie defended herself.
Mother then remembered a verse she had memorized years ago when she found herself in a similar situation.
“Listen to this Annie, Matthew 5:23–24: ‘Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.’ I realized that you are practising a special song for the Lord on Sabbath; however, it is important that before Sabbath, you need to try to make peace with those who have something against you. There is nothing more beautiful than to be at peace with our brothers and sisters at church. When situations like these arise, the key is to speak to one another.”
“You are right, Mother, and truly I had forgotten about what God tells us to do in Matthew 5:23–24. But what if Priscila doesn’t want to speak to me? What if she doesn’t want to make peace?”
“At least you have done your part. We can only do our part, and others must choose to do theirs. However, I am sure she will be willing to speak to you.” Mother smiled.
At Wednesday night prayer meeting, after the service was ended, Mother saw Annie and Priscila speaking in the office. They finished their conversation with smiles and a big hug.