“Hello my sweethearts, how was school today?” asked Mother as she came in with some groceries. Annie and Max headed over to help.
“It was great, Mother, we did some painting today,” said Max excitedly.
“My day was good as well. I have a project due in two days. The teacher put us into groups of three’s. Only, one of the girls in my group, Kate, never does her homework. I asked her if she would help out with this assignment and she said no,” said Annie.
“I’m sorry to hear that Kate is unwilling to help with the project, but I’m sure Samantha will be of great help.”
“Yes mother, Samantha was very excited about the project and promised she would do the best she could. I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Annie smiled.
The next day at school, Samantha told Annie she would not be going to her house to work on the project because she had been invited to a birthday party. Annie was sad because now she would have to work on the project alone; but also because her friend had turned back on her word. Annie would ask mother to help her.
“Good afternoon Mother.”
“Hello sweetie, how was school? Where is Samantha?” Mother asked, as she put her homemade apple pie into the oven. She had made it especially for the girls.
“She will not be coming,” answered Annie sadly.
“Oh Annie, I’m sorry to hear that. . . . Do you think I can help?”
“Yes Mother, I would really appreciate that,” Annie answered as she held back her tears. Suddenly the doorbell rang. Mother and Annie looked at each other, a glimmer of hope in their eyes. Annie went to open the door and to her surprise, there was Kate, with her backpack and schoolbooks. She had decided to come and help with the project. Annie was happy. She truly didn’t expect to see Kate.
Later that evening, after the girls had finished working on their project, and after eating apple pie, the family gathered for evening worship. Mother shared a parable of Jesus found in Matthew 21:29–31.
The story is about a father who had two sons. He went to the first son and asked him to go and work in his vineyard. However, this son said, no. The father then went to his second son and asked him to go work in his vineyard. This son said yes he would go. However, when the time came to go work in the vineyard, the son who had said no had a change of heart and mind and decided to go and work. On the contrary, the son who said yes did not end up going.
Mother explained that both words and actions are important. However, when it comes to obedience, it takes more than just words. Jesus wants us to serve Him in action and not only worship Him with our words. He was a perfect example of this because when He was on this earth; He not only spoke, but He obeyed His Father through His actions.
Annie learned that actions speak louder than our words. Though we must be careful with what we say, real change comes through actions.