The Decision
Proverbs 3:5-6
“The Decision” is episode #367 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Phil Lollar, and originally aired on November 23, 1996.
Summary
Whit must decide whether or not to accept an offer to return to the mission field, and so Connie sets out to prove that he is needed in Odyssey.
Plot
In her search for a career, Connie has started a new program on Kid’s Radio called “Candid Conversations With Connie.” Her guest on this particular edition is John Avery Whittaker. He is describing some of his adventures in the Middle East when a caller asks if it’s true that he is going on another world missions tour. Connie scoffs at the idea, but Whit admits that it’s a possibility, the board of directors at Universal Press have extended the offer.
This upsets Connie, especially when she learns that nearly everyone in town knew about this but her! Whit apologizes, and Eugene walks up and announces that a visitor is there for Whit, Joanne Woodston, one of the UPF board members. Whit goes to talk with her. Connie tells Eugene they need to figure out how to keep Whit in Odyssey. Eugene disagrees with Connie, he prefers to leave things in God’s hands. But Connie feels that Odyssey needs Whit, he just doesn’t know they need him. She sets out to make him see just how valuable he really is.
Meanwhile, Joanne tells Whit she needs an answer soon because a situation has arisen at one of the missions in South America that requires immediate attention. Whit promises to give her an answer quickly. Just then, Jack Allen walks in, and when he meets Joanne, there is obviously a mutual attraction between them.
Hoping to influence Whit before he makes his decision, Connie puts her plans into action, trying to show Whit that he is needed. To further complicate things, Jason tells Whit that he is thinking of going on the missions tour because he misses the excitement of life in the Agency. Next, Eugene expresses desire to go on the tour as a means of spiritual growth. Then Jack enters and tells Whit he has to go on the tour, or the Board will send Joanne! Everyone starts talking at once. Whit calms them down and tells everyone to go downstairs. He’ll reveal his decision then.
Downstairs, Whit says that everyone has great reasons why they should go, but no one has mentioned the most important reason anyone should become a missionary, God’s calling. No one can honestly say that God has called them to South America, and neither can Whit. So he’s not going either. Instead, he’s called Dan Isidro, a missionary friend already in the region, to handle the problem. Whit says, “It’s good to be home again.”
Discussion Questions
- Why did Whit have so much trouble trying to decide whether or not to go on the trip?
- Why is it important to seek God’s leading before making decisions?
- How can you seek God’s will when making an important decision?
Cast
Heard in episode
| Role | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Connie Kendall | Katie Leigh |
| Eugene Meltsner | Will Ryan |
| Jack Allen | Alan Young |
| Jason Whittaker | Townsend Coleman |
| Joanne Allen | Janet Waldo |
| John Whittaker | Paul Herlinger |
| Robert | Unknown |
Mentioned in episode
Notes
- Trivia
- This episode marks the debut of the Candid Conversations With Connie Show — a popular Kids' Radio show and interesting plot device.
- In the very beginning of the episode, Whit is discussing the events of #355 – #357: “The Search for Whit” with Connie on said show.
- This episode introduces the character of Joanne Woodston, who becomes a long-standing and much-loved citizen of Odyssey.
- Eugene's idea from this episode about putting other people first would be brought back years later with his business Hand Up.
- Jason mentions in this episode that Connie told the story of Ruth to Courtney Vincent and Jenny Roberts. This was heard in #360 – #361: “Three Funerals and a Wedding”.
- Jason's desire to go into the mission field as heard in this episode would be brought up again in #406 – #408: “Malachi's Message”.
- The issue Connie raises in this episode about the defective curlicue nozzle at Whit's End was originally established in #280: “Gone...”.
- As can be heard in #500: “500”, Connie originally had an extra line in this episode about her situation reminding her of a sitcom. Katie Leigh objected to this during the recording session and the line was ultimately cut.
- This episode was re-aired on August 20, 2016, as a commemoration of Alan Young (Jack Allen) and Janet Waldo (Joanne Allen).
- Allusions
- This episode may be partially based on an Andy Griffith episode, Goodbye Sheriff Taylor. In Goodbye Sheriff Taylor, Andy considers taking a job in Raleigh and lets Barney be Sheriff for a day so that he can go check out the job. Barney, who feels that he utterly failed at the job for the day, is not excited about taking over the job for Andy should he actually leave, and, upon Andy's return from Raleigh, tries to make him feel that he is needed in Mayberry as sheriff.
- Whit refers to the insanity surrounding his decision as a " Marx Brothers routine". This comparison was previously made by Dr. Regis Blackgaard in #155: “Waylaid in the Windy City, Part 1”.
- Goofs
- In this episode, Jack says that "Whit's wife and son are buried in a local cemetery." However, according to Book 4: Behind the Locked Door, Jenny is buried in California. However, it is also stated in said book that she has a memorial stone in the cemetery, and Jack, being new to Odyssey, could've mistaken that for her actual burial plot.
Quotes
Jack Allen: Do you have any dinner plans?
Joanne Allen: Yes.
Jack Allen: Oh.
Joanne Allen: You're picking me up at seven.
Jack Allen: Really? Oh! Okay...
Jason Whittaker: Jack! Where did you come from?
Jack Allen: I followed you up the stairs. You really oughta pay more attention to what's going on around you, Jason.
Jason Whittaker: Do you hear what I hear?
John Whittaker: Oh, Bells.
Jason Whittaker: Harps.
John Whittaker: Violins.
Jason Whittaker: Romantic music.
John Whittaker: I haven't seen Jack act like that since we were kids.
Jason Whittaker: (chuckle) You feed 'em, you love 'em, you nurture 'em, and before you know it, they're going out on dates!
John Whittaker: Oh, where does the time go?
John Whittaker: Good grief! What is this, a Marx Brothers routine?
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