The Right Choice, Part 2 of 2

Guest (Male): Last time on Adventures in Odyssey...
Jason: Dad!
Whit: Jason! Where is Eugene?
Jason: He ran off to surprise Katrina with a call. She went up to Lakeshore Lodge with Brandon.
Eugene: Katrina said something about an engagement. What am I going to do?
Whit: You need to get up to that lodge and show her that you're not willing to let her go so easily.
Eugene: Stop, Katrina! You're making a big mistake.
Katrina: You honestly believed I would heartlessly discard you for Brandon?
Brandon: Are you prepared to let go of your feelings enough so that she could be with whoever is best for her?
Eugene: It will take more than your dubious message to keep me away from the woman I love.
Brandon: You were the one who had hacked into the hotel's computer system.
Guest (Male): Please step this way, Mr. Meltsner.
Eugene: Katrina, will you marry me?
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Whit: And that was how I spent my time and the board's money at the archaeological mission in the Middle East. Look over the papers, and if you have any questions, let me know. I should say that as a member of the board, I think we should stay committed to supporting missions around the world, even expanding our support. And as one who has served on one of those missions, let me thank the board for your generosity. It is an experience I will not ever forget. Michael?
Michael: Nice job, Whit. Thanks. I appreciate those words. I know we have been saying it all morning, but I do not think we can overstate our gratitude to you for giving your time and talents to the Middle East project. A better man could not have been found in our time of need, which is probably the ideal lead-in to our next discussion: the future of our missions. Whit, we agree that it is imperative for University to financially support missions, not only out of our sense of Christian commitment but to fulfill our philanthropic goals as well, goals that you helped to establish when you founded this organization. And that is why we think it is vital for us to explore new missions possibilities and why the board has voted, and except for one opposer, have something else we need to ask you to do, Whit.
Whit: Something else? Jason said you had something else up your sleeves. What is on your mind?
Guest (Male): Whit, what we have to say is very serious. It will need your deepest and most prayerful consideration.
Whit: That was quite a shock. In a million years, I would never have expected it.
Jason: Any idea what you want to do?
Whit: No, though Mike said there was one person who voted against the idea, and I have been wondering... Wait a minute. Is that Eugene? Good grief.
Jason: It is. Eugene! What are you doing here?
Eugene: Mr. Whittaker! Jason! What a relief. I tried to check in, but they said I did not have a room and could not get one without your approval.
Jason: I knew this would happen when you did not check in yesterday. You stay put. I will take care of it.
Whit: What happened to you, Eugene? You look awful.
Eugene: I did not get any sleep. I was up all night trying to prove that I was not the head of a local ring of malicious hackers.
Whit: Prove to whom?
Eugene: The Lakeshore police. They nearly arrested me, Mr. Whittaker. If I did not have my passport to prove I have been out of the country for the last two weeks, they would have.
Whit: Why did they think you were a hacker in the first place?
Eugene: Because in my panic and delirium, I broke into the hotel's computer system to find out Katrina's room number.
Whit: Eugene, you didn't.
Eugene: I am ashamed to admit that I did. It was only thanks to Mr. Shanks' intercession that I was let off with a $100 fine and not jail.
Whit: What happened to Katrina? Did you talk to her?
Eugene: Alas, no. Brandon took her to the university for a Christian fellowship meeting or something like that. It sounds like a contrived excuse to get her away from me.
Whit: Eugene, one of the side effects of jet lag is a profound sense of paranoia.
Eugene: Are you saying I am paranoid, Mr. Whittaker? I suppose you have talked to other people about this?
Whit: Eugene...
Eugene: It was a joke, a poor joke. Yes, Mr. Whittaker, I am jet-lagged and tired, and my perspective is less than balanced, but I have to talk to Katrina. Are you still flying to Odyssey this afternoon?
Jason: Okay, Eugene, you're all taken care of. Here is your room key. And I changed our flights to Odyssey from this afternoon to later tonight.
Eugene: You changed the flights? Why?
Jason: I am sorry, I should have asked you first, but I did not think you would object to having a few more hours with Katrina. Do you?
Eugene: I am doubtful she wants a few more hours with me, to be brutally honest. But why are we leaving later?
Jason: We have a series of meetings this afternoon with the board, Eugene. They have asked me to do something, and we need to work out a few more details.
Eugene: You have been gone for what seems like years to the Middle East. What more could they ask you to do?
Whit: They want me to serve as an ambassador to the various missions we support around the world.
Eugene: What precisely does that mean?
Whit: They want me to go back overseas on a kind of mission tour. But that means you won't be going back to Odyssey.
Eugene: You have to return to Odyssey!
Whit: I will return to Odyssey, Eugene. We're all going tonight.
Eugene: Then I presume you told the board no?
Whit: I think your jet lag is causing you to jump to conclusions. Slow down and listen. I am going back to Odyssey to rest and to pray for God's leading about whether I should say yes or no.
Eugene: But you cannot leave us again!
Whit: That is up to God, as all things are, just like your situation with Katrina. I think you need to stop for a minute and remember that. It is in God's hands.
Eugene: I will remember. Though I do not dare stop for a minute. I have to find her and resolve this mess.
Jason: Eugene, I think Dad is right. Why don't you go up to your room and get some sleep?
Eugene: Sleep? Sleep while Brandon continues to weave his tangled web?
Whit: Eugene, calm down. Think of your Bible.
Eugene: My Bible?
Whit: In 1 Corinthians 13.
Eugene: The chapter describing love, yes.
Whit: It does not say love is panicked. It is patient and kind and wants what is right for others. Your rushing around does not exactly reflect those attributes, now does it?
Eugene: No, sir.
Whit: Now get some rest and think about those verses, please?
Eugene: Yes, Mr. Whittaker. After I talk to Katrina!
Whit: Oh, Eugene.
Mr. Shanks: Yes? Eugene, what a surprise.
Eugene: Mr. Shanks, what are you doing here?
Mr. Shanks: What am I doing at my house? Is that what you are asking?
Eugene: I thought you and your wife were going to have a second honeymoon at Lakeshore.
Mr. Shanks: We were, but somehow the mood got ruined.
Eugene: Yes, I am sorry. And let me again say how grateful I am for you helping me with the police.
Mr. Shanks: It would not look good for one of my daughter's suitors to have a record. You are here for Katrina?
Eugene: Yes, sir. She is at the university.
Mr. Shanks: University, yes. Do you know where she is at the university? I did not want to cause a commotion by getting lost there.
Eugene: You seem determined to cause a commotion no matter what you do. Come with me. I am about to practice my tennis.
Mr. Shanks: I'd rather not take up any more of your valuable time, sir.
Eugene: This is my daughter's life you are affecting. We have all the time I want. Come on. Nice tennis court.
Mr. Shanks: Thanks. Eugene, you love my daughter, don't you?
Eugene: Yes, sir, I do.
Mr. Shanks: And I have been under the impression that she loves you.
Eugene: I hope so.
Mr. Shanks: Yet the two of you seem bound and determined to wreck your relationship. Why is that?
Eugene: I have been pondering that same question, sir.
Mr. Shanks: So have I. Did you ever stop and ask yourself if maybe you are not really meant for each other?
Eugene: Meant for each other?
Mr. Shanks: You may love each other, but that does not mean you are right for each other.
Eugene: I understand what you mean. Brandon said as much to me yesterday. Is this the proverbial party line?
Mr. Shanks: Young man, we are talking about my daughter. I do not need a party line when it comes to her future and well-being.
Eugene: Of course not, sir. I did not mean to be disrespectful.
Mr. Shanks: So, what are your intentions?
Eugene: My intentions?
Mr. Shanks: Yes, are you to continue this cat-and-mouse game?
Eugene: I do not think I can accurately...
Mr. Shanks: It is time to fish or cut bait, Eugene.
Eugene: Cat, mouse, fish, bait... I am not certain exactly...
Mr. Shanks: Oh, stop it, Eugene. You know what I am talking about.
Eugene: I hope to ask Katrina to marry me, though her not speaking to me has proven to be a slight obstacle.
Mr. Shanks: There is another obstacle.
Eugene: There is?
Mr. Shanks: You have not asked me.
Eugene: No, sir, I haven't.
Mr. Shanks: Why not?
Eugene: Frankly, I did not believe you would say yes. I was sure you would give your blessing to Brandon and not to me.
Mr. Shanks: Your assumptions are making a fool out of you, Eugene. And whether you thought I would say yes or no is not the point. You should have asked me.
Eugene: You are right, Mr. Shanks. Please forgive me. I have made a mess of this entire situation. May I ask Katrina to marry me with your permission, sir?
Mr. Shanks: You may ask her.
Eugene: Thank you.
Mr. Shanks: But you had better hurry up.
Eugene: Why?
Mr. Shanks: Brandon has already asked my permission.
Eugene: What?
Mr. Shanks: You both have my permission, but I want the right man for my daughter. Do you understand?
Eugene: What is your criteria for the right man?
Mr. Shanks: The one she chooses, of course. You will find Katrina at the student union building on the campus.
Eugene: Thank you, Mr. Shanks.
Mr. Shanks: I hate this game.
Eugene: A directory! There must be a directory around here somewhere. Oh, the Christian fellowship meeting is right here.
Brandon: I've asked Chris to bring the clipboard for the service. The rest of us should remember to pray for the team. They are up against a lot of antagonism from some of the other campus groups. And what else? I think that is all. Oh, Katrina.
Katrina: Yes, thanks, Brandon. The local Bible study group will meet in Taft Hall instead of the administration building next Monday. And we need to pray for Debbie; she is having her knee operated on.
Brandon: Okay, thanks. Did everybody get that? All right then, let's gather into small prayer groups of three each, remembering all these requests.
Eugene: Katrina, Katrina!
Katrina: Eugene!
Eugene: I am here to talk to you.
Guest (Female): Hi, my name is Rodlyn.
Eugene: Greetings, Rodlyn. Would it be possible for us to go somewhere else?
Katrina: No, we are supposed to pray here.
Brandon: Do you two want to pray alone?
Eugene: Yes!
Katrina: No! Eugene, this is most inappropriate. I told you I needed time.
Guest (Female): Maybe I should find another group?
Katrina: No, Rodlyn, stay right here. We are going to pray. Eugene can leave if he has other intentions.
Eugene: Of course not. I will be happy to pray with you.
Katrina: Okay, let's pray as the Spirit leads.
Eugene: Dear Father, thank you for this opportunity to come into your presence, to bring our exposed hearts and minds to your merciful light. Thank you for your ready forgiveness, a forgiveness that reaches out to us even when we make petty mistakes. I can only pray that each one of us in this group can also learn to be forgiving. For example, when one person ruins wedding anniversaries, it is a small offense that you are ready to forgive. But there are others who have hardened their hearts. Teach her to forgive our foolish mistakes as you do every second of every day.
Katrina: Precious Lord, you have given us your Spirit to help us discern your will in our lives. That discernment gives us the wisdom to put ourselves in the place of others, to empathize with their feelings and concerns. You call us to maturity in our thoughts and behavior and to trust each other in your love. There are those here who do not seem to understand that aspect of your spirit. Trust is elusive, and maturity is a struggle. Help him to see that he cannot simply barge in and expect an easy reconciliation when I asked him to be patient.
Guest (Female): Dear God, I want to pray for...
Eugene: Dear majestic Lord, reconciliation is never easy, but it certainly is attainable if certain people are willing to communicate.
Katrina: Dear Lord, you call us to silence, to wait on you and seek your perspective in our lives. Help some of us to be sensitive enough to see that at least one of us wants to do what's right.
Guest (Female): As I was saying, Lord, I'd like to pray...
Eugene: Lord, give some of us the willingness not to latch onto just one tiny problem and cling to it as an excuse to...
Guest (Female): That is it. I think I will move to another group now.
Katrina: Eugene!
Eugene: Please, Katrina, I am not here to argue. However, I have to say that to run and hide with Brandon has been less than conducive to effective communication.
Katrina: I am not running and hiding with Brandon. Why are you so insecure about him?
Brandon: Excuse me, but you are bothering the other prayer groups.
Eugene: You mainly whisper his name and he appears.
Brandon: That was not a whisper, and I think we should take this outside.
Eugene: Are you challenging me? Where is my glove?
Katrina: Eugene, stop it! You are being positively childish.
Eugene: Me? Childish?
Brandon: Whoa, listen to me. Please stop it. There are people who have come here to pray. I suggest the three of us take a few minutes and do that very thing silently. And then we can meet in the cafeteria and talk this out.
Eugene: You do not have to posture your spirituality, Brandon. Talking this out is all I wanted from the start.
Katrina: Eugene, just be quiet and pray.
Eugene: All right, be quiet and pray. All right.
Katrina: Eugene, I really think you are having a nervous breakdown. When is the last time you slept?
Eugene: I had a nap on the plane approximately 46 hours ago, but I do not think my sleeping habits are relevant here.
Brandon: I think they are very relevant. You know what lack of sleep does to people's perspective.
Eugene: Please, Brandon, I do not wish to be lectured by you about the effects of sleep deprivation. If anything, I have been upset by the course this situation has taken.
Katrina: You've been upset?
Brandon: Hold on, Katrina. Eugene, what course are you talking about?
Eugene: The deceit for starters.
Katrina: Deceit?
Brandon: Deceit?
Eugene: Yes, you came to my room with a ruse to divert me from talking to Katrina while you sneaked her away from the lodge.
Katrina: Eugene, I wanted to leave. I needed to get away, to think and to pray.
Eugene: So I was told. But it certainly was handy for Brandon, wasn't it, to wield his influence on you whilst you thought and prayed?
Brandon: What are you talking about?
Eugene: Are you going to deny that you intend to ask Katrina to marry you? You see, your very expressions tell me that my concerns have been justified. While I remain faithful to our relationship in Odyssey, you are here being mentored by Saint Brandon.
Katrina: Eugene, Brandon has already asked me to marry him.
Eugene: Of course he asked. I should have known I would be a step behind. Do not sugarcoat it, Katrina. How did you respond?
Katrina: I told him that I would like to think and pray about it.
Eugene: I see.
Katrina: Even though you are jealous and you are obviously in denial...
Eugene: I am not jealous! I am not in denial!
Katrina: Yes, you are. Brandon happens to be a very kind, mature, and insightful person, and I am honored that he asked me to marry him.
Eugene: Then why did you say you had to think about it?
Katrina: Because I love you, Eugene.
Eugene: Oh. You do?
Katrina: Yes, I do.
Brandon: I think this is where I make my exit. I'll be in the meeting if you need anything.
Katrina: Thank you, Brandon.
Eugene: Katrina, I am at a loss. If you love me, then why have we not been able to talk for the past 22 hours?
Katrina: Like I have been telling you, I need time to think and to pray. Why is that so difficult for you to understand? Why don't you see how your behavior over the past day or so has threatened me and my love? It is as if you have been in this childish panic over losing your favorite toy. But I am not a toy, Eugene, and we cannot be childish or panicked about love.
Eugene: I agree completely.
Katrina: You may not believe this, but while you have been running around like a madman, Brandon has been your advocate. Do you know why? Because he is committed to my being with the right person. He is not just saying it, Eugene; it is what he really wants. If it is him, he will be really happy. If it isn't and the right person is someone else, he will also be really happy. It is because he wants what is best for me. That means a lot. And on the other hand...
Eugene: On the other hand, I have been behaving as if I want what I think is right for me. I guess I see it now. In my panic, I have indeed been self-serving. Oh, Katrina.
Katrina: Eugene, I want my head and my heart to come together so I can make a mature decision. I will not make it lightly nor on a whim of emotion. I love you, and I believe you love me. But that does not mean I am the best person for you or that you are the best person for me.
Eugene: Then again, how much longer can we go on wondering or second-guessing ourselves? I understand your feelings, Katrina. I admit that I have been acting foolishly, and I would not blame you if you decided to marry Brandon now. Love and its accompanying emotions are new to me, and I am rather inexperienced with how to handle them. But I will ask you this question humbly and with a contrite spirit, because I think it is time to quit torturing ourselves. As your father said, it is time to fish or cut bait.
Katrina: What are you saying, Eugene?
Eugene: I know I am immature in areas of love and even in Christianity, but I believe that we could have a wonderful, God-filled future together. We can think and pray for days, months, even years, as we have. But there comes a time to make a decision. So I'm asking you and would like an answer right now. Katrina, will you marry me?
Jason: We'd better get on the plane, Dad.
Whit: No, I want to wait for Eugene. What if he does not make it?
Jason: He can catch a later flight.
Whit: I'd rather wait. You go on if you want.
Jason: No, sir. I will not get on without you. Do you think he worked everything out with Katrina?
Whit: I could not begin to guess. With his frame of mind lately, anything can happen.
Eugene: Wait! Wait! Hold that airplane! Wait!
Jason: Here he comes.
Whit: Thank God. Look who is with him. We were worrying about you.
Eugene: Sorry I am late.
Katrina: Hello, Mr. Whittaker. It is a pleasure to see you again after such a long time.
Whit: Likewise. But we do have to get on that plane.
Katrina: Oh, right. Have a nice flight.
Whit: I will.
Jason: Hello, Katrina. Bye, Katrina. Come on, guys.
Whit: Right behind you. Come visit us in Odyssey, Katrina.
Katrina: I'll do my best. Farewell.
Eugene: Goodbye, Katrina. I love you.
Katrina: And I you. Give my love to everyone in Odyssey, will you?
Eugene: I will. Farewell!
Katrina: Farewell!
Jason: That was touching. Can I assume we have a happy ending here?
Whit: Yes, Eugene, my heart has been in my throat all day. What happened?
Eugene: I asked her to marry me and requested an immediate answer so as not to prolong our agony.
Jason: Whoa, that is kind of aggressive of you, isn't it? What did you get tired of pussyfooting around?
Eugene: In a manner of speaking, yes.
Whit: What did she say?
Eugene: She said no.
Whit: No?
Jason: Eugene!
Eugene: More than that, I believe our relationship is over. If she is as smart as I think she is, she will marry Brandon and they will live happily ever after.
Whit: But she said she loves you.
Eugene: She does. And I love her. But that does not mean we are right for one another. You of all people should know about that, Jason.
Jason: Sure I do. I don't know, but it seems kind of crazy with you guys. Are you sure you did not misunderstand?
Eugene: No, I did not misunderstand. Things could not be more clear. So clear, in fact, that I can admit the truth and still feel a profound peace about it. I have seen myself as the emotionally stunted, spiritually immature person that I am, and I accept it. Now I am truly forced to leave Katrina and my heart in God's hands, where they should have been all along.
Jason: What now? What are you going to do?
Eugene: I am going to try to sleep for several days if possible.
Jason: This is amazing. What about you, Dad? Surely you have something to say about it.
Whit: Eugene is right. Our hearts, our desires, our futures are all in God's hands. It is just a shame that it takes something painful to make us realize it.
Jason: This will make for a great homecoming to Odyssey. Just when I thought things were going to settle down for a while.
Whit: Settle down? I have a feeling that things are just getting stirred up.
Chris: Over the past couple of episodes, we have seen Eugene run himself ragged trying to work things out with Katrina. Often in our lives, we try to rush ahead because of our feelings or plans. But God wants us to slow down and wait for Him to reveal to us what we should do. Like we saw with Eugene, the consequence for not slowing down and seeking God can be heartbreaking. When you feel impatient or want to take situations into your own hands, stop and read Psalm 27. There the psalmist says, "Your face, Lord, do I seek," and later asks God, "Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me." The Bible shows again and again that being patient and leaving our lives in God's hands is a sign of spiritual maturity. I would love to hear what you think about this latest turn in Eugene's relationship with Katrina. Why don't you write to me? Our address is: Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada write to: Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It is called The Right Choice. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. The Right Choice was written and directed by Paul McCusker. Our production engineer was Todd Busteed. Music by John Campbell. And I am Chris, hoping you will join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.