"You want to truly show how sorry you are? Apologize the same way you offend"

If it's in public, do it publicly.

If it's private, do it privately.

Those words ran in Lily's head as she approached the guy sitting on the bench in the cafeteria. She's holding a tray of his favorite cookies.

'Apologizing is the greatest trait any true believer should engage when needed'

Lily let out a sigh and then walked the remaining steps to him. Taking deep breaths in and letting them out slowly, she put up a smile on her face and tapped his shoulder lightly to get his attention. Mark turned around to Lily and she stretched forth the cookie tray to him.

"I'm sorry for the other day, I shouldn't have talked that way to you. It was wrong of me. I just didn't appreciate you insulting or talking badly about my religion and what I represent." She explained to him.

Mark looked at her for a moment then smiled. "Are you sure this is not a bribe?" he asked then watched her closely.

Lily bit the inside of her mouth and held onto the tray like she did for dear life. A smile made its way to her lips and tried to lighten the mood with a chuckle.

"See this as a peace gift to you Mark, we all have opinions about topics, and respecting each other's opinion is what we should strive for" she kept her smile.

Mark looked impressed and collected the tray from her hand.

"Apology accepted and I'm sorry for running my mouth like that" he took a cookie and put the whole inside his mouth "I was glad you didn't smack my face, lots of people tell me I deserve it" he shrugged "Thanks for this and bye" he turned back around to continue what he was doing.

Lily was boiling from within.

'Slapping him was an option? GOD, I would have gone ahead when my mind wanted me to.'

She groaned then turned and walked away from him before she felt like slapping the wits out of him.

Sarah was waiting for her at the door of the cafeteria. Lily came closer to her and they both walked out of the cafeteria.

"So? How did it go?" Sarah asked.

"Slapping him was an option" Lily responded.

***

"GOD, I wish I could do what my mind told me to" Lily grumbled as she explained to Joshua what happened when she went to apologize to Mark.

"Why didn't you?" Joshua asked.

Lily looked at him with raised brows. "You'd support me if I did?"

"I didn't say, I am asking why you didn't do as you intend to do?"

Lily had a defeated look on her face, her shoulders dropped, and she sighed.

"I would have felt bad if I did" she shrugged.

"Then it wasn't necessary to do so and wouldn't be worth it" Joshua concludes.

"But he was expecting it, would have as well gave him what he deserved," Lily chimed.

"Still wouldn't be worth it," Joshua said "Look Lily, there are things that would happen. Things that could provoke you to act in certain ways or badly to people but the one question to ask yourself is 'Is it worth it? What i am doing or going to do, is it worth the stress? the time and effort?' these are things you need to consider when you act towards something or someone" he explained to her.

Lily thought about it for a moment. He was right on every level but still couldn't shake the feeling that she would have done it.

'Is it worth it Lily?' she asked herself.

"I hope I made sense?"

Lily looks at Joshua and nods with a smile.

"Yes, you did. Thank you"

Joshua nods his head. "Also, you need to keep the thought of 'he/she deserves it, I should do it' out of your mind. Whether someone deserves it or not, it's not for you to judge or pass the punishment. It's not in your place, okay?"

"Yes sir, I would keep that thought out of my mind and ask GOD to help me so I don't get riled up over petty things."

"Good. Now, to answer your letter from before..." Joshua paused to think "I think I answered the main course" he frowned a bit then opened the letter again to see what else "Oh yeah, how's your family? Sorry about what you told me," he offered an apologetic look "I hope things get better between your parents"

"Thank you, I hope so too" Lily smiled.

"Lily, I want you to keep this in mind, concerning your journey of faith." Joshua held both hands. "This path of faith is not always easy..." he chuckled "What am I saying? It's not easy and not everyone will understand, but I want you to know that this is a personal journey worth pursuing, no matter what comes your way."

"Even if the world is against me?" Lily asked.

"Even if the world is against you" Joshua smiled "It will be good. Whenever you feel alone in this journey, just let the knowledge that GOD is walking with you through it all. Let it be in your heart and you'll feel better than you've ever been"

Lily looked at Joshua with appreciative eyes. She was grateful for him in her life and had no words to say to thank him.

"I bless the day GOD led me to you, Joshua. You're the best"

"GOD is, and thank GOD dear. I am glad I can be a streak of hope to someone."

They spent the rest of the time talking about things they'd like to do. During the week, after service, what they aspired to be and just kept their conversation light and entertaining.

***

The next day at school, Lily and Sarah sat under the tree talking solving bible quizzes, and revising what they were taught in school.

"How did your study time with Joshua go?" Sarah asked "I didn't come with you yesterday on purpose. It's been a while since you guys sat to talk so I decided to give that to you"

"And I appreciate that very much my dear friend" Sarah bowed which provoked a laugh from Lily "Joshua, I'd say is a man of many wisdom. It's like GOD packed in him lots of insights and wisdom when he created him. He has an answer to most things and when he answers you, there's no judgment in his tone" Lily pointed out.

"I thought I was the only one who noticed that." Sarah took a bite from her samosa "I think he's not a human being" she leaned closer to Lily "He's a spirit in human form" Sarah whispered.

Lily rolled her eyes. "I keep saying he's my guardian angel severally, what do you think that means?"

Sarah paused to think for a moment. "I don't know. Do we need to get more novels from the library?"

"Are you done with the ones you took? I'm done with mine"

"Showoff"