A few minutes after Dorothy went to her bedroom to get ready for bed, Mother saw her come out, walk without a word through the living room, through the kitchen, and out the back door. Just a minute or two later, she saw the girl come in again, close the back door firmly behind her; then go straight through the kitchen and living room and into her bedroom without a “Hello” or a “Hi” or even a glance in her Mother’s direction.
Something strange was going on, Mother was sure, for she had never seen Dorothy behave like this before. She got up from her chair and started for the bedroom to ask a few questions; then she thought better of it and sat down again. Dorothy would probably tell her all about it in her own good time.
As it turned out, Mother found the answer sooner than she had expected. Next morning when she went into Dorothy’s bedroom after she had left for school, she saw a note lying on her pillow. She picked it up and started to read what it said; but as she read, her eyes misted over and her mind seemed to go back to events that had taken place more than six months before.
Back about that time, Dorothy had asked her mother if it wouldn’t be all right for her to wear a bracelet. “Some of the other girls at school are getting them,” she explained.
“But you remember what the Bible says about jewelry, don’t you, dear?” Mother said. “You’ve memorized that text in 1 Timothy 2:9 that says that women should dress modestly, without ‘gold, or pearls, or costly array.’ ”
“But Mother,” Dorothy said. “It’s just a bracelet.”
“I know dear,” Mother said. “But bracelets are jewelry.”
Mother saw a scowl come over Dorothy’s face, and it felt as if a great knife were being cut into her heart. For up to this time Dorothy had always been willing to accept her mother’s counsel.
Mother watched as the weeks went by, and she was glad to notice that Dorothy never wore a bracelet. Then after about three months there was a story in a magazine she had received at church about jewelry. She read it, and thought it was very good. She asked Dorothy if she had read it.
“Mm-huh,” Dorothy nodded.
“What did you think of it?” Mother asked.
“Mmm,” Dorothy grunted.
Mother guessed that Dorothy hadn’t yet given up the idea of buying a bracelet. She slipped an arm around Dorothy’s shoulders and said, “Please pray about it, dear.”
Dorothy squirmed out from her mother’s arm and walked off.
Mother determined to pray harder than ever. She did not realize what was going on in Dorothy’s mind. She did not know, for instance, that Dorothy had gone out and bought herself a bracelet and was wearing it whenever she was away from the house. Dorothy knew she shouldn’t wear it. She knew she ought to get rid of it. But she wanted to wear it so much. She prayed about it. She thought through what the Bible said. It was a tremendous battle, and it went on for six months.
Now Mother, still standing by Dorothy’s bed, blinked the mistiness from her eyes and read the note she had found on the pillow.
“Dear Mother: You don’t know it, but six months ago I bought a bracelet, and I’ve been wearing it when you weren’t around. I’ve prayed a lot about it, and at last I’ve gotten the victory. Last night I took the bracelet outside and threw it in the garbage can. I’ll never wear one again. Your loving daughter, Dorothy.”
Mother was so happy when she read that, that she dropped a tear right in the middle of the note paper.
I’m wondering if there is some victory you need to win. With Jesus’ help, why don’t you win that victory today? Then put a little note on your pillow, telling Mother all about it. What a lot of happy mothers there could be tomorrow morning!
“In every temptation He [God] will be at our [your] side to give us [you] the victory.” The Review and Herald, August 18, 1891
40 Favorite Children’s Stories, Lawrence Maxwell, ©2009, 98–100