Ariella, a year 10 student in her home country, faced the biggest test of her school life. Her final exam was just around the corner. She’d been studying for weeks, poring over her textbooks, taking notes, and reviewing every detail. This exam was crucial; without it, she wouldn’t pass her grade, and all her hard work would be for nothing.

One day at school, the teacher handed out the exam schedules. Ariella eagerly looked at the date and time, but as her eyes scanned the paper, her heart sank. The exam is scheduled for a Sabbath! Ariella realized in shock. The Sabbath was sacred to her and her family, a day of rest and worship, a time dedicated to God. Th ere was no way she could take the test on that day.

Her best friend Julie turned to her with big round eyes. “What are you going to do?” she quietly asked.

Ariella lifted her shoulders, indicating her uncertainty about this serious challenge to her faith.

After class, Ariella approached her teacher, a strict man who rarely allowed exceptions. “Excuse me, sir,” she began nervously, “is there any way I can take the exam on another day? The test is scheduled on a Saturday, and I—”

Before she could finish, the teacher shook his head firmly. “No exceptions,” he said bluntly. “This is the only day the test will be given. If you don’t take it, you will fail the course and have to repeat your grade.”

Ariella felt her world crumble. She thanked the teacher quietly and left, feeling utterly defeated.

Her friends Julie and Monique stood outside waiting for her. “ What happened?” they asked, falling into step with her.

Ariella shook her head. “He won’t make an exception.”

“But Ari, you need to take the exam!” Monique said with determination. “Is there a way you could skip church and come for a few hours?”

“That’s a great idea!” Julie pipped up. “ You could ask the pastor for permission, and everything should be OK. Right?”

Ariella sighed, stopped, and turned to her friends. “I know you’re trying to help, but this isn’t about asking permission from my pastor or anyone else.”

Julie tilted her head to one side. “ What do you mean?”

“Keeping the Sabbath is part of worship for me. My devotion is to God, not to the pastor. It’s a personal thing.”

The girls continued walking. “So, what are you going to do?” Monique asked.

“I won’t take the exam,” Ariella stated with determination.

The friends gasped, but they both knew Ariella was serious.

When Ariella arrived at her home, she told her parents the bad news. “The exam is on Sabbath,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “The teacher won’t change the date.”

Her father listened quietly before responding. “Ariella,” he said gently, “we live in a country where we have little control over what happens. But God does. We’ll pray and let Him take over this situation.”

The family knelt together and prayed, asking God to make a way where there seemed to be none. They asked for His guidance and protection, for faith in His timing, and for peace in their hearts. Ariella prayed on her own too, asking God to give her the faith to trust Him completely.

When Sabbath arrived, Ariella woke up feeling a mix of nervousness and peace. Her family went to church as usual, and during the praise and worship, Ariella sang with all her heart, lifting her voice to God. She loved being in church, surrounded by the music, the prayers, and the love of her church family. But every now and then, thoughts of the exam crept into her mind. She could imagine her classmates sitting at their desks, filling in the answers while she was here in church.

Each time a negative thought arose, she whispered a prayer, reminding herself that God was in control.

The conclusion of the story is in the September 20, 2025 issue of Guide.