I'm sitting here on the stage at Willow Creek Community Church where weekly we do sketches
as part of our outreach services.
As you can see, the stage is large, but what we do in terms of drama is really quite simple.
Simple pieces of furniture, a few props, and some actors.
Before you actually view the sketches on this tape, I'd like to talk a little bit about
how we approach drama here at Willow Creek.
First of all, it's important to realize that our audience is a non-churched audience.
Yes, periodically we do do sketches as part of our midweek worship services, but primarily
drama is used in our outreach evangelism efforts here at Willow Creek.
That means that when we approach a particular sketch, we try to think in terms of how we
can deal with a particular topic in a way which will intersect with the real life world
of where non-churched Harry and Mary live.
That's how they're affectionately referred to here at Willow Creek.
Secondly, the drama that we use is written by one of our writers to coordinate with a
message.
In other words, the drama doesn't really stand alone, but it only makes sense as it
is connected to a message.
Therefore, the expectation of drama here is that we raise some questions, that we create
points of identification with our audience, that we facilitate them being able to laugh
at themselves, or perhaps even shed a tear of recognition.
The expectation, however, for drama is not that it provides answers.
Yes, we can ask questions, but we try to leave the answers up to the pastor.
He also will address the same subject matter later in the service and provide a biblical
perspective.
I'd like you to keep in mind that the sketches on this tape were done live here on stage
as part of our services.
And also, I've tried to select samples that represent the broad spectrum of styles that
we do, from comedy to serious sketches, from a more slice of life realistic style to a
broad exaggerated style, from monologue to mime.
Now, I know that a picture is worth a thousand words, and so therefore I gladly will remove
myself from the stage and turn it over to the actors, the ones who really belong here.
All right, well, we're on then for Wednesday, 1115.
That's right, that's in the boardroom.
Morning.
Listen, I'm going to need that valuation redone for the price of oil.
Yeah, I know it's gone crazy.
I think we can do it though.
In fact, we might even be able to have a lunch meeting.
Chris, have you seen the cream?
Yeah.
Well, we're going to be working through the noon.
Hey.
Thank you.
Sorry, I had an interruption.
Like I was saying, why don't we just meet for lunch?
We're going to be working through the noon hour anyways.
Yeah.
We'll just tell them they have to be available.
Well, I don't care.
We're paying them, remember?
Listen, why don't you get the whole team together and I'll see you in about 45 minutes.
Okay.
Well, thank you.
Listen, the stock's down.
Stock's down?
The market's not even open yet.
Check the stock in the refrigerator.
We're out of everything.
Laura, I wish you wouldn't use the term stock so loosely.
It can be very life threatening.
Sorry, I believe it's your assignment.
Laura, my schedule's full.
It's your week.
Well, I didn't receive my usual notifications.
Yes, you did.
Well, I show nothing on my schedule.
Well, I show here on a copy of a memo sent to you dated July 15th, a reminder of the
aforementioned assignment along with the job description and the projected dates.
As you can see, and I quote, week of August 26th, Christopher Timmons will be fully responsible
for the upkeep and inventory of household necessities.
Any questions?
Not at this moment, counselor.
I rest my case.
So what's on the schedule for today?
Well, I've got meetings from the time I leave here until 10 o'clock tonight.
Any chance of a dinner meeting?
Dinner.
With you?
Yes.
Laura.
No, not tonight.
First thing I've got is I've got an hour opening Wednesday, 3 o'clock.
Wednesday?
Nothing sooner?
What about tomorrow?
Tomorrow.
I'm sorry.
Tomorrow.
I'm in New York, remember?
All right.
Let me check.
All right.
Wednesday's fine.
All right.
I'll put you in Wednesday, 3 o'clock.
Where are we at?
Johnny's.
That's a half hour drive.
Let's brown bag it at my office.
All right.
I'll see you then.
Laura, brown bag.
All right.
I'll see you tonight.
I'll probably be asleep.
I have an early breakfast.
Well, then I'll come in tomorrow.
Well then I'll see you tomorrow.
By the way, the results are in.
It looks affirmative.
What?
It's a go.
Oh.
What are we looking at then?
Well, the projected date is February 3rd.
Let's see, February is bad.
Of course I've got nine months to readjust my schedule.
Well there will also be some preliminary meetings that I'm told are necessary to fully understand this project.
Do you have those dates?
Not at this time. I'll get them to you ASAP.
I would appreciate that.
Well, congratulations. Job well done.
Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.
My pleasure. But of course I'm late.
Chris, we're having a baby. We're having a baby.
Yes, I think we've established that.
You, me, together. We're having a baby.
Yes. Well?
Well, I can't believe it.
Well, I'm sure the doctor's office can send out a letter of confirmation.
Chris, I mean, I'm carrying your child.
Well thank you for that vote of confidence.
Aren't you the least bit excited?
Of course I am, Laura, but I've got to be downtown.
Will you forget about your stupid meeting? Honey, we've got a lot to talk about.
An hour on Wednesday.
An hour? First of all, I can't wait until Wednesday.
And second of all, it's going to take more than an hour to prepare for this.
There's the baby paraphernalia, morning sickness, maternity clothes, names.
Laura, I'm fully aware of that, but I've got to be downtown.
You drive me crazy. You know that.
Well then I suggest you bring that up at our next scheduled performance evaluation.
Excuse me for a moment.
Who are you calling?
The hospital.
Why? Is something wrong?
Yes. I'm going to see if they can give you a heart transplant.
Very funny.
He's got a sense of humor. All is not lost.
You can reach me at the office.
No, I can't reach you at the office. I can't reach you by phone.
I can't even reach you at home. I just happened to get lucky one night and reached you in bed.
Chris, what's happened to you?
What's happened to us? We used to be alive and in love. Now we're just successful.
I don't even know you anymore. Do I?
Laura, I can appreciate what you're feeling right now.
Oh, can you?
Yes, but I've got people waiting.
Fine, go.
Like I said, we'll have an-
An hour on Wednesday, I know.
And you'll have my undivided attention.
Look, I'll see you tonight, or I'll see you soon.
Roger, hi. Laura here. Listen, about our new client, I think if we flew out there,
it actually forced him to look at the layout. He would have no doubt.
No, that's what I want to do, so get your calendar. What looks good?
Tomorrow? No, I'm booked all day. Wednesday? Wednesday?
I'll be fine. Just fine.
Okay, everything looks pretty good. All we need now are a couple of signatures here and here,
and everything is legal.
All right.
Mr. Stinson, could we have a few minutes alone?
Sure. Phil, you want to get out of here? Your wife wants to be alone with me.
No, no, I meant-
Well, I understand. I'm sorry, is there something wrong with the wording or perhaps-
Oh, no, it's fine. We've taken more than enough of your time. Kate, just sign it.
Please, just a few minutes.
Yes, I understand. Sometimes the finality of the paperwork and all is a little more difficult than anticipated.
It happens all the time.
No, no, it's okay, Carl. Kate will sign it as is. Come on, honey. We've been over this many times and he's a busy man.
Please.
I understand. I can give you a few minutes. It's no problem.
Besides, Phil, you got our phone system up and running here the same day we moved into this new building.
Yeah, how's it working?
It's working great.
Good.
Well, there's a glitch at the reception desk-
Oh, really? Let me take a look at it.
Well-
I tell you what, I'll send a repairman out first thing Monday. He'll take care of it.
Sounds good. Ooh, I'm still working on those bulls-tiggers.
Good.
So what's up?
How can you be so cold and unfeeling?
Are you talking to me?
Yes. Laughing. Talking about glitches in the phones and basketball. We're about to make a life-changing decision.
Kate, I think you're getting a little over emotional about this.
Over emotional? We're talking about our son.
Kate, really?
I don't want Gerald and Mary to raise Tyler.
Well, they won't.
They might, and they hardly know him.
They're his aunt and uncle. It's only logic-
They don't love him.
Yes, they do.
Not like we do. Not like Jenny Critchin does.
Jenny Critchin? Our babysitter?
Yes, she loves him.
Honey, we cannot name a 14-year-old babysitter the legal guardian of our two-year-old son. That's crazy.
Well, I get crazy just thinking about him sleeping anywhere but in his little race car bed or anyone else putting those little green teenage mutant ninja turtle band-aids on his alwys or someone else potty training him.
No one else is going to want to do that. Look, no one else is going to do that. We're signing our will, not our death certificate.
Oh, I feel like we are. I don't want a sign. I hate thinking about living without Tyler.
Or you. Oh, Phil, I love you so much.
I love you too, Kate, but could we cuddle someplace besides Carl's office?
I never want to look at you laying in a casket.
Well, I'll try to be burned beyond recognition or something.
Oh, how can you say that?
I was just trying to make you laugh.
I don't want to laugh. I'm sad.
Well, if you laugh, you won't be sad.
Then I am sad.
Well, you shouldn't, Zee.
Oh, stop telling me what I should or should not feel.
Kate.
Look, we're only doing this because we're supposed to. It's wise for you, for me, for Tyler, just in case.
Everybody should have a will. Like everyone should have car insurance. You just hope you never have to use it.
Oh, how comforting.
Oh, I'm so tired of you getting all emotional. It's the least little thing.
What? The possible future of our son is a little thing?
Come on, Kate. Just sign it and I'll take you out to dinner and a little dancing.
Oh, I just want to go home.
No dinner, no dancing.
I want to go and hold my baby and tell him I love him. Don't you?
I'd rather hold you.
Oh, have you no feelings at all?
Obviously none you're interested in.
I guess I'm just being more practical about this.
Mr. Practical. So what else is new?
What else is new?
Would you cry if I died?
Yeah, I suppose. Yeah, yeah, probably. Yes, yes, of course I'd cry if you died.
Look, I don't want to overextend my friendship with Carl. It's late. Let's just sign this one and if we want to change it later, we will.
Promise?
I promise. I'm sure everything will look different tomorrow.
I hope so.
I guess it's a good thing we're both not emotional wrecks. We'd never get anything done.
You can say that again.
Sometimes that practical side of you drives me nuts.
But I'd really miss it if it wasn't around.
Okay, okay. Before you get going again. Hey Carl, we're ready.
Okay, I'll be right in. I'm just finishing up some paperwork here.
Now that wasn't so bad, was it?
Did he say he was finishing the paperwork?
Kate, he's a lawyer. He thrives on paperwork.
Do you think he's going to charge us? I thought he was your friend.
Kate, relax, will you? Get a grip.
But no, we've been here all...
Okay, how'd we do?
Well, we made it.
Ah, a couple of signatures, half a box of Kleenex, not bad.
I really appreciate you giving us the extra time.
Oh, it's no problem. I'll have Joyce put the final touches on this in the morning and drop it off Wednesday.
Sounds great. Thanks a lot, Carl.
Sure. Phil, Kate, listen, I've got to run up to a client on the eighth floor, so would you mind closing the door on your way out?
Oh, sure.
Okay. Here. Thank you, good night.
Good night.
I don't believe it.
I install a new phone system for him. He pats me on the back and says,
Stop by with Kate any time and we'll put together a will for you.
Now he pats me on the back with a bill in his hand of all the dirty tricks.
Phil, make...
How can someone be so cold and unfeeling? And sneaky, too.
What's the matter, Carl? Don't you even have a heart?
Boy, did I have him pegged wrong. I have a good mind to rip this whole system out.
And take it to the bull's gate.
How can you make jokes when...
Were those in the envelope?
Big.
No bill?
You know, I get so tired of you overreacting at the least, little friend.
Would you look at that view.
Hmm. But this, this view takes my breath away. Okay.
Well, this ought to keep me supplied for several days, huh?
Let's see, what do I feel like having? Salt or sugar?
Yeah.
Stay a little faithful trip from this rocky port before this power ship.
The mate was a mighty sailor man, skipper brave and sure.
Stay a little faithful trip from this rocky port before this power ship.
Yes? Who's asking? Oh.
Well, why don't you just keep my MasterCard at the front desk there and I'll pick it up when I come out next. Thanks.
If my card doesn't expire first.
Phew. That was a close one.
Eagle nacho cheese tortilla chips and the new Eagle Ranch tortilla chips. Real winners, isn't that right, Jack?
We especially would like to thank all the athletes of America who've made Eagle chips the snack food of champions. Isn't that right, Jack?
So we want to take this opportunity to thank-
Mr. Watson.
You Eagle nacho cheese, you're gonna love them.
Mr. Watson.
I know you're in there, Mr. Watson.
Can't believe this.
Mr. Watson, please open the door. Mr. Watson.
Mrs. Willoughby, what do you want?
I want to talk to you.
About what? And how did you find me?
Elementary, my dear Watson. I simply called your wife who said you were out on business, then called your secretary who said you were unreachable, which we all know to be quite false.
I then put a tracer on your car phone, which led me to this lovely yet remote part of the state.
I then stopped at each gas station with a description of your car, which led me to this town where I called every motel to find your registration.
Oh, come now, Mr. Watson.
If you want to know when to find you, you would have hidden.
Now, may I come in, please?
My, what a cozy little room. Do you come here often?
What is it that you need, Mrs. Willoughby?
Besides something to drink?
Could I offer you a Coke?
Oh, yes, Coke would be lovely. Thank you for asking.
Would you like a seat?
Why, thank you.
Oh, you're quite welcome.
You know, I've always wanted to travel down to this part of the state, but I've always felt it was sort of foreboding, you know. But now that I'm down here, it really isn't quite as bad as I thought.
Mrs. Willoughby, what exactly is it that you want from me?
Well, since you brought it up, we're having our annual fun drive in a few months, and I wanted to confirm the date and time you would chair the kickoff meeting.
Do I know about this?
Oh, yes. We corresponded with eight letters and 14 telephone calls.
And what was my answer?
Well, we never did hear directly from you.
Aha.
But knowing the kind of man that you are, dedicated to the people of our community, I had no doubt you'd volunteer.
Well, I'm very sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. Willoughby.
Oh, no trouble.
And for the delay in my response.
I know you're a very busy man.
But the answer is no.
What?
I can't do it.
Why not?
Because.
Because why?
Because I'm tired.
Tired? Of what?
I'm tired of commitments.
I'm tired of meetings.
I'm tired of people.
That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
Sorry?
What kind of joke is this?
This is no joke, Mrs. Willoughby.
I spent two days over $200 tracking you down.
Not to mention the time and money spent publicizing your involvement in this project.
And you have the gall to say you're tired.
Mrs. Willoughby.
This is for a very worthy cause, Mr. Watson.
These are children, handicapped children, desperately in need of financial help.
I know that.
We need someone like yourself who can reach out and get the people involved.
I mean, look what you've done for the hospital, the Lions Club, the community teen center, the church.
Mr. Watson, one can't get tired when one is needed.
Mrs. Willoughby, I am sure there are plenty of other people that would be very...
Mr. Watson, if I had wanted someone else, I would be there, not here.
I won't take no for an answer.
Mrs. Willoughby, I am very sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is no.
What's the matter with you?
I told you I'm tired.
Well, this just isn't like you.
Like me?
Yes, to turn your back on people.
Like me?
To play with people's emotions like this.
You've always been so, so dedicated, so sacrificial.
Mrs. Willoughby, what's my favorite color?
What?
What's my favorite food?
Mr. Watson, I...
My favorite author, TV show, hobby?
How should I know?
It's red, lasagna, Ernest Hemingway, gun smoke, and...
Ah!
Hunting!
So don't go talking to me about what's like me and what's not like me
when you don't know the first thing about me!
Look, I love our community.
I love being a part of its growth and expansion.
I love helping the needy and the children and raising money and dirtying my hands,
but I can't do it anymore.
Do you hear me?
I need a break.
I have spent my adult life campaigning for others, and I...
I'm losing me along the way.
So you see, there's no way you could possibly know what's like me or not like me
when I don't even know me!
Don't worry, Mrs. Willoughby, I'm not going to shoot you.
You know, come to think of it, Dr. Leininger might be a perfect man for this position.
He's a very good man.
Well, I've taken enough of your time already.
Have a nice meeting.
Life was so much simpler before I met you.
I got up, ate breakfast, did what I had to do that day,
ate dinner, watched Johnny, and went to bed.
I could justify anything.
I could go to the bar and do a little networking late into the night.
Or I could take a long lunch, four or five times a week, at the company's expense.
Or if someone cut me off in traffic, I could enlighten them with a few choice words.
You know, it's not good to let your anger build up.
I was sailing through life just fine until you came along with your big wave machine
and knocked my little dinghy right out of the water.
What started innocently enough,
you wanted to save me from my sins and take me to heaven with you.
Well, I appreciate that, but now you want to interfere,
get involved with my life before I even get there.
You say you've got these guidelines for me to live by.
Well, look, I can understand you wanting to help some poor soul who's at the end of his rope,
but come on, you see my life, I've got it all together.
Well, at least mostly together.
So why complicate things by telling me I have to obey you?
Was I doing such an awful job on my own?
Well, was I?
Besides, if you really understood me, you would have never asked that.
You were there when I was growing up.
You saw how hard it was for me to honor and obey my dad.
I tried so hard to please him, did whatever I could think of to make him happy.
I remember when I was a little girl,
I used to love to bring him his slippers or go get him a cup of coffee.
I felt so grown up.
I was daddy's big helper.
Of course, that's when I was good.
And when I was good, I was very, very good.
But when I was bad, I was horrid, or so I was told.
After a while, I noticed it wasn't so much, honey, you want to get me a cup of coffee?
It turned into get me a cup of coffee now.
And when you finish with this, do that.
And why are you wearing so much makeup? You look cheap.
Why can't you be more like Janet?
Janet.
Needless to say, he had high expectations.
Yep, we were all dad's little puppets. He was in control.
And now you want control. It's as if I can hear you saying the same thing.
Honey, go get me a cup of coffee.
You know, you scare me.
You expect a lot.
You just want me to turn everything over to you, but I don't want to become someone's slave again.
Surely you can understand that.
I know, I know you say you love me more than any earthly father ever could,
but I don't have any earthly example of what heavenly love is like.
And so I fight.
I fight to keep you at a safe distance, and I fight with myself
because I don't want to give up control of who I am and what I want and what I do, and so I fight.
And I'm so tired of fighting.
I'm tired of fighting for control of my life.
Somehow I've got to get over this fear of you.
And somehow I've got to see you differently.
Somehow I've got to see your hands reaching out to give to me and not take from me.
Somehow I've got to hear you say, honey, you want to go get me a cup of coffee?
And then come sit next to me because you sure are a treasure.
Life was so much simpler before I met you.
Oh, great, we're the first ones here tonight.
Does everyone just sit on the floor?
Well, actually, there are several different body postures we assume throughout the meeting.
It's a very active religion.
You know, Mark, I'm really amazed that you're into all this.
Sam, this group is a part of a whole new wave of truth seekers.
We're bringing together all branches of religious and scientific knowledge into one consistent metaphysic.
Still, you just seem to be a really together guy.
I mean, why would you need any of this?
Well, when you discover the great truths about the universe, where we all come from and where we're all going,
well, you can't help but be a together person.
Look, we should get these on before the rest get here.
Hmm, I don't know, Mark.
I mean, why not just sit in the corner and watch?
Oh, Sam, come on. You want to understand the cosmos, right?
Well, yeah.
Well, you've got to participate, not just watch.
Greetings, fellow Star Brothers.
Greetings to you too, Nahilo Mass.
I see. We have a new Star Brother among us.
Yes. This is my friend Sam. He's from...
What did you say? Did I hear you use a personal name just now?
Oh, I'm so sorry, Nahilo Mass.
You realize, Star Brother, that personality is merely an illusion.
Oh, of course.
We are all one, and we must refrain from using personal references.
Oh, yes, I know.
Even when it seems trivial.
Right.
How else can we return to our alpha point?
I know.
Unless we remain consistent with our beliefs.
Yes, it won't happen again.
All right, Star Persons, let us begin.
What did you call him just now?
Nahilo Master.
Nahilo Master?
It's a Latin term.
Yeah, doesn't Nahilo mean nothing?
Shh, we're about to start.
All is one.
And one is all.
As it was in the beginning.
Is now and ever shall be.
We worship the source of our being, the ground of all that is,
our celestial progenitor, from which we came and to which we shall return.
Let the symbol of the great fount of our creation be revealed to our unworthy mortal eyes.
Ro!
Z!
Ro!
Z!
Ro!
Z!
Ro!
Z!
Ro!
Z!
Ro!
Z!
Ro!
Let the unveiling proceed.
Oh great, primordial soup of our substance, we worship you.
It's nothing, it's just a big zero.
Have you no respect?
You should be bowing in reverence.
From nothing we came.
To nothing we returned.
All our pain and suffering, all of our problems, they are?
Nothing.
All myths and religion about God are?
Nothing.
And the real meaning of life is?
Nothing.
All of us together add up to?
Nothing.
Yes, we are merging with the equilibrium that is our primeval origin.
Randomness, chaos, and the great alpha point before it all began.
Sam, come on, what's wrong?
Join us.
Mark, I just can't get into this.
Oh come on!
And from this chaos we have evolved into our present form of slimy allergies with arms
and legs and the backbone.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.
Everything from nothing and everything into nothing.
Amen.
The meeting is over.
Sushi and tea in the lobby for everyone.
It's great to have a new star brother.
So this is the shape of things to come.
Isn't it profound?
Every time I come here I learn something new about myself.
You know Mark, I feel like I learned something new about you too.
What's that supposed to mean?
How anyone can believe that we came from nothing, we're going to nothing.
We're all nothing more than rearranged nothing.
Now that's really something.
You're fighting it Sam.
Well you'll never reach your alpha point if you go against science.
You're right.
But whatever else I may not be, I am someone.
Sorry if that doesn't qualify me as a star brother.
Nanu nanu.
God made all the delicate inner parts of her body and knit them together in her mother's womb.
He made this child so wonderfully complex.
His workmanship is marvelous.
He was there when she was being formed in utter seclusion.
This precious child, newly conceived, shall be a girl.
Joy being a girl.
And you shall have the ability to dance and bring me delight in your movement.
On the good ship, lollipop it's a night.
Well that's good for starters.
And you will be a painter.
Finger paints, hooray!
To begin with yes, but later watercolor landscapes that reflect my creation.
With your left hand.
Oops.
And you will delight in time spent alone in creating and reading.
Reading? An introvert?
Aw can't I be an extrovert? A real party animal?
A precious introvert.
Okay.
And strong willed.
Thanks!
And God went on to create all the other specifics of this child to make her precious and unique.
And then he said to her,
My precious child, I love you.
You are gifted and beautiful and made just the way I plan.
I adore you my child and you will do great things.
And this touched the child deeply, but then she was born.
Because she was an introvert, she didn't make a loud and dramatic entrance.
Time passed.
She was a good child, compliant and content to play by herself.
Despite her father's attempts to change her.
Elizabeth?
Are you fooling around in here again?
Come on, we've got to get to soccer practice.
And after that we're going to your cousin Randy's birthday party.
Sounds like a great day, doesn't it?
Oh and wait until you hear this.
At the party I'm going to do my magic at and you are going to be my assistant.
How about that?
You're ruining my ballerina hair.
Oh it doesn't matter what your hair looks like for soccer.
Now come on, get out of those silly ballet shoes or you'll be late for practice.
And I want you to make contact with the ball today.
No cloud gazing.
I'll be so proud of you.
So the child complied, in part, for remember she was also strong-willed.
And while deciding to put on just one soccer shoe, she had an idea.
I know. When I get to Randy's party, I'll find Grandma.
And I'll curl up on her lap and I'll pretend to be asleep when Daddy does his magic act.
And she danced with delight at her great idea.
Or at least she tried.
So she decided she better paint her idea in order not to forget it.
Because she couldn't write very well yet.
Much to her mother's great dismay.
Elizabeth! Elizabeth! Are you painting again?
We're running out of room on our refrigerator.
Are you wasting the lined paper I bought for you to practice your letters on?
I thought so. As long as you're doing that, make me an E.
The letter your name begins with.
Don't use that hand. Your letters will look funny.
I bet that's your problem.
Your sister was writing at two and a half and you're almost five.
Here, keep this hand behind your back.
Now, make me a nice E. Or you can forget the ballet lesson.
You'll have to do better than that.
And so the little girl felt confused, untalented, and unloved.
She tried to comfort herself by dancing.
But it became almost impossible.
And time passed.
Elizabeth! Elizabeth! I've got a surprise for you!
Tickets! Are they to the Nutcracker Ballet?
Nutcracker? No, they're not for the Nutcracker.
What a ripoff.
They're 30 bucks for the cheapest seats in the house and they're so far back
you can't even see the dancers traipsing around on the stage.
These tickets are for the Auto Show.
You can help Daddy pick out a new car. Come on!
And so again the child complied and followed along with her parents' plan.
She danced less and less. Her strong will faded.
And she took up soccer and other sports to appease her father.
Come on Elizabeth! Come on now! Stay back!
Come on! You can do it!
Pay attention! Stay back!
What a beautiful dandelion puff!
Elizabeth! Stop the ball!
Elizabeth! Pay attention!
You're the goalie!
Oops.
Elizabeth!
And once again the child felt confused, untalented, and unloved.
She worked harder than most at school.
Learning didn't come easily to her.
She would much rather be painting.
Elizabeth!
Elizabeth, I see your report card here.
Math, C.
English, B. History, B.
Spelling, C.
Art, A+.
What is with the C in math and spelling?
If you worked half as hard in these subjects as in your painting,
you'd be getting A's there too.
You can't paint your way into college, you know.
Elizabeth!
You know, you need to be more involved in school activities,
like cross-country.
How about student council?
It's just not good for a girl your age to be so isolated.
And so the girl soon stopped painting and dancing altogether.
She was very unhappy.
And as she hung her head,
she placed her pink ballet slippers in one corner
and her paintbrush in the other.
Then, very faintly, in the back of her mind,
she remembered his words.
My precious child, I love you.
You are gifted and beautiful and made just the way I planned.
I adore you, my child, and you will do great things.
And I would see that I'm precious.
And I would know that I'm prized.
I know your love never changes.
If I could look through your eyes,
Lord, help me look through your eyes.
Oh, oh, oh, oh.