When I was in my early 30s, I knew a beautiful young woman, sweet, kind, and beautiful. She was 17. She lived across the street with her mother and her brother. We became good friends.

She came to me one day with a request. She had just become  a member of the cheerleaders at her high school and needed a uniform. She showed me the pattern and the material. She knew I had a sewing machine and loved to sew. She asked me to teach her to sew, so she could make it. 

I told her I would be very happy to teach her to sew. But, since she had said she needed it in less than a week, I thought it more prudent to make it for her and teach her to sew later when she would not be rushed.

I was only too happy to make it for her. I worked on that labor of love for two days and then called her and told her it was finished. She was so excited she came right over. She tried it on, smiled all over the place, and told me it was perfect. 

That is when her face dropped. I asked her what was wrong. She said she had just found out that some of the games were played on Saturday. Since she knew we were both Adventist,  she knew I would understand.

Saturday being the seventh day of the week is the Lord’s day. On the Lord’s day, we try to do only things that would bring us closer to the Lord. A football game, on Sabbath, would not bring us closer to the Lord.

She was so upset!  “I work so hard to become a  cheerleader! What can I do?” She said it so quietly and sadly, it nearly broke my heart.  “If I tell them, I’ll be kicked off the squad.”

I prayed a silent prayer for God to use my mouth. I do that a lot when I counsel people. I wanted to help her, but I didn’t want her to think I was judging her. That wouldn’t have been fair, as it was her decision to make.

“Well you could tell your team leader that you can be in every game except Saturday games. But you know what? It must be your decision. I can’t tell you what to do, but I will pray about it. You pray about it too. Follow your heart. God will give you the right answer.”