Adventures in Odyssey

Chris Metcalfe: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

Whit: Oh, hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. We were just getting ready for a time of wonder, excitement, and discovery. Care to join us? You never know what'll happen next when you have an adventure in Odyssey.

George Barclay: You won't believe it. You just won't believe it.

Donna Barclay: I think he's been without a job too long.

Jimmy Barclay: No kidding. I pray that you'll get Dad a job real soon.

Mary Barclay: How can you do that? I've never seen statistics, Donna.

Jimmy Barclay: I don't get this at all.

Whit: The best is yet to come.

Okay, George, if you just hold it right there.

George Barclay: Got it, George. That's it. You want to swing it a bit to make sure it's hung right? There's no point in having a storage shed if the door won't fit snug.

Whit: It looks like it works all right. Thanks for your help, George. I couldn't have done it without you.

George Barclay: It's my pleasure.

Whit: Here's your lemonade. Thanks. I don't know how you feel about it, but losing your job was a godsend to me and to a lot of other folks in Odyssey. Emma Douglas told me yesterday that you painted her garage, and the whole church has been talking about the landscaping you've done.

George Barclay: I just thought I'd put all my extra time to good use. It beats sitting around the house moping about the lack of jobs around here.

Whit: Still nothing from the employment center?

George Barclay: Nothing. I've visited just about every eligible employer in town, not to mention the resumes I've mailed out.

Whit: Maybe God has something else in mind.

George Barclay: Maybe so. It's been really good for me, Whit, not having a job for a while.

Whit: Really? How so?

George Barclay: I've had a lot of time to think and pray. It's helped me get my priorities straight and get rid of a lot of the clutter in my life. I suppose that's been the best thing about it.

Whit: It's admirable how you've been able to take a bad situation and turn it into something good.

George Barclay: I couldn't have done it without my family. They've been really good about tightening the belt and bringing in extra money, which reminds me, I have to get home or I'll be late.

Whit: Late?

George Barclay: We're selling our second car today. The buyer is coming to pick it up. I have to run. See you, Whit.

Whit: Okay, see you, George. Thanks.

George Barclay: Thank you, Mr. Allbright. I'm sure you'll have plenty of good years with it. Don't forget what I said about the carburetor. Bye.

The Barclays are a one-car family once again. Goodbye, old friend.

Mary Barclay: You did very well, darling. I think we got a fair price.

George Barclay: A fair price for a good car. I knocked off 75 bucks for that carburetor problem, and he'll be able to fix it for 30.

Donna Barclay: I'm going to miss that car.

George Barclay: You're kidding. What?

Mary Barclay: I thought you hated it.

Donna Barclay: You said it was embarrassing.

Donna Barclay: It was only embarrassing when Dad dropped me off at school in it. It would have been great when it was mine.

George Barclay: Hold on. What do you mean yours?

Jimmy Barclay: Dad was going to give that car to me, weren't you, Dad?

George Barclay: I never said...

Donna Barclay: I'm the one who will be getting my driver's license first. I would have used the car, and then it would have gone to you if I felt like it.

Jimmy Barclay: Right. Dad, will you please tell her...

George Barclay: Hold on. There's no point in even talking about it. The car's gone. You two will have to save to get your own cars one day.

Jimmy Barclay: That's what I mean. Is this poverty or what?

Mary Barclay: Hardly, Jimmy.

George Barclay: Look, we've all had to make sacrifices since I lost my job, and unfortunately, we'll have to make some more. I've got a man coming to look at my golf clubs this afternoon.

Donna Barclay: What? You're not selling your golf clubs.

George Barclay: I am.

Donna Barclay: But you love golf. How can you do that?

George Barclay: It's all right. I wasn't playing much anyway. Come on, let's see about some lunch. What do we want? Sandwiches?

Mary Barclay: We have some leftover pizza from last night.

Jimmy Barclay: I can't believe Dad is selling his golf clubs. How depressing.

Donna Barclay: I think he's been without a job too long. No kidding. Did you see how he just shrugged about playing golf as if it was no big deal to him? It's just not Dad if he's lost interest in golf.

Jimmy Barclay: So what are we going to do about it?

George Barclay: Jimmy, Donna, come on in.

Donna Barclay: I think it's time for a strategy session tonight in my room.

Jimmy Barclay: Right.

Donna Barclay: Donna? Come on in. Where are Mom and Dad?

Jimmy Barclay: Dad fell asleep on the couch, and Mom's in bed reading.

Donna Barclay: Good. We don't want them to know we're talking.

Jimmy Barclay: Why not?

Donna Barclay: Because it'll make them worried. They know we never talk without fighting unless there's something wrong.

Jimmy Barclay: Oh, yeah.

Donna Barclay: Now, what are we going to do about getting Dad a job?

Jimmy Barclay: I was thinking about it, and I figure I should have copies made of a picture of Dad in those goofy overalls he likes to wear. Then I'll mail them out, and someone will hire him because they feel sorry for him, like a poster child for a famine.

Donna Barclay: That's the best you could come up with?

Jimmy Barclay: You thought of something better?

Donna Barclay: They have this computer at the library that can cross-reference skills. We could type in what Dad knows how to do, and it'll tell us other alternatives. Once we get that, we just send his resume out to all the companies who need someone with Dad's skills.

Jimmy Barclay: But what does Dad know how to do?

Donna Barclay: Lots of stuff.

Jimmy Barclay: For instance? What did he do before?

Donna Barclay: I don't know. Something to do with operations management.

Jimmy Barclay: I thought it was accounting.

Donna Barclay: Maybe it was operations management accounting. This is ridiculous. Dad worked for the same company for years, and we don't know what he did.

Jimmy Barclay: He brought home a paycheck. What else did we need to know? Any other ideas?

Donna Barclay: No, that was it.

Jimmy Barclay: Oh, great strategy session.

Donna Barclay: There was one other thing. I thought maybe we should pray together for Dad.

Jimmy Barclay: I've been praying for Dad.

Donna Barclay: Yeah, but we haven't been praying together. Maybe if we pray together more, it'll make a difference. Where two or more, and all that stuff.

Jimmy Barclay: I'm game.

Donna Barclay: Okay, let's pray. Go ahead.

Jimmy Barclay: Why do I have to go first?

Donna Barclay: You don't have to go first. I'll go first.

Jimmy Barclay: Oh, sure, and then you'll pray everything I want to pray. No, I'll go first.

Donna Barclay: Fine, then go first. I don't mind being second.

Jimmy Barclay: Oh, I get it. Now you let me go first to show that you're more spiritual than me.

Donna Barclay: Jimmy, just pray.

Jimmy Barclay: All right, already. Dear God, I want to pray for my dad right now because I know it's been tough on him not having a job and all. I pray that you'll get Dad a job real soon with a great salary and a big office with a nice view and maybe a company car.

You know what I mean, God. Please get him a good job. Go ahead, Donna.

Donna Barclay: Heavenly Father, I wouldn't pretend to know what your will is for Dad, but I pray that you'll encourage him while he's out of work. Guide him as he looks for a job. Open up the right doors for him. Lord, help him because I know you love Dad even more than we do. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus's name, amen.

Jimmy Barclay: Amen. Where did you learn to pray like that?

Donna Barclay: What do you mean?

Jimmy Barclay: You sounded like an adult. Did you read it somewhere?

Donna Barclay: Cut it out. It's rude to critique people's prayers. I wasn't talking to you anyway.

Jimmy Barclay: Do you really think it'll help?

Donna Barclay: Yeah, I really do. I have a good feeling about it. Something is going to happen.

Jimmy Barclay: Hi, Mr. Whittaker.

Whit: Hi, Jimmy. How was school today?

Jimmy Barclay: Same old stuff. We watched a film about the housefly and I fell asleep.

Whit: That's not good.

Jimmy Barclay: You're telling me. My mouth was open and I drooled on my math homework. You haven't seen my dad around, have you?

Whit: Oh, yeah, he was here earlier. Said he might come back this afternoon.

Jimmy Barclay: Oh, I thought maybe something happened today.

Whit: Something's supposed to happen?

Jimmy Barclay: He doesn't know something's going to happen. It's kind of hard to explain.

Whit: Are you throwing him a surprise party, or does this have something to do with his search for a job?

Jimmy Barclay: No, it's not a party, but it sort of has to do with the job, except he doesn't know that either.

Whit: Jimmy, you're not making much sense.

Jimmy Barclay: Donna and I prayed for Dad last night that he would get a job, and Donna felt like something was going to happen.

Whit: You mean today?

Jimmy Barclay: She didn't say when, but I figured today's as good as any day if God wants to do something.

Whit: That's true, but God works in his own time too. He answers prayers when he thinks it's best. In fact, he often answers prayers in ways we don't expect. Anything can happen.

George Barclay: Whit! Whit! Oh, good, Jimmy, you're here too. You won't believe it. You just won't believe it.

Whit: What, George?

Jimmy Barclay: Yeah, calm down, Dad. What's going on?

George Barclay: It's amazing. I was just walking down the street, just walking to the hardware store. They're having a sale on those long nails we need to remember, Whit, those thick ones. Then I bumped into Dave Carey. He works at my old office, and he said that he got promoted and suddenly said that I was just the man he was looking for because a new position opened up with the company and he wants me to interview for it.

Jimmy Barclay: You're going to get your old job back?

George Barclay: Not my old job, Jimmy. A new job with the same company. Yes! Can you believe it?

Whit: That's wonderful, George. Congratulations.

George Barclay: I have to go this afternoon and interview, but this is amazing.

Jimmy Barclay: That's great, Dad. What were you saying a minute ago, Mr. Whittaker?

Whit: I think my words were: anything can happen.

Jimmy Barclay: Where is he?

Donna Barclay: Be patient, Jimmy. He'll come home as soon as he can.

Jimmy Barclay: I don't know. He may have stopped at the hardware store. They're having a sale, you know.

Donna Barclay: I don't remember how this works. Is it a good indication or a bad indication if the interview takes a long time? Which one means that they liked him?

Jimmy Barclay: I've never seen statistics, Donna. I figure the company is begging and pleading with Dad to come back. Let's face it, the place went down the tubes after he left.

Donna Barclay: Jimmy, the place was going down the tubes before he left. That's why they had to lay him off.

Jimmy Barclay: Yeah, but they went more down the tubes afterwards.

Donna Barclay: More down the tubes? As opposed to getting stuck part of the way down?

George Barclay: What are you two jabbering about?

Jimmy Barclay: I was just trying to stick up for Dad, but Donna wants to quibble.

Donna Barclay: I'm not quibbling. I'm just saying... Wait, was that a car door? I think that was a car door.

Donna Barclay: You want me to look? No, I think we should act just as nonchalant as possible, just in case it didn't work out.

Jimmy Barclay: Nonchalant?

Donna Barclay: Nonchalant. Act normal. Over here. Act normal.

George Barclay: Hi, guys.

Jimmy Barclay: Well, what happened? Did you get the job back? What did they say?

George Barclay: Wait a minute, wait a minute.

Mary Barclay: Did they like your new tie?

Jimmy Barclay: Did they like his tie, Mom?

Mary Barclay: I picked it out.

Donna Barclay: What happened, Dad?

George Barclay: I have to admit that the interview went really well.

Donna Barclay: What kind of a job is it?

George Barclay: It's a higher level job than I had before. I'd oversee both accounting and operations instead of just operations.

Donna Barclay: So it was operations.

Jimmy Barclay: Perks, Dad, what about the perks?

George Barclay: It's a much better salary, title, office, even a company car.

Jimmy Barclay: All right! I love praying.

Mary Barclay: But did they offer you the job?

George Barclay: As a matter of fact, they did.

Donna Barclay: When do you start, Dad?

George Barclay: That's the thing. I don't know.

Jimmy Barclay: They wouldn't tell you?

George Barclay: They told me, but I'm not sure I want to take the job.

Jimmy Barclay: What? Are you okay?

Donna Barclay: You have to take the job, Dad. It's an answer to our prayer.

George Barclay: I know it seems like it, but I'd like to think and pray about it for a while.

Mary Barclay: That's good sense, George. Maybe you should talk to the pastor.

George Barclay: I think I will.

Jimmy Barclay: I don't get this at all. Think, pray, talk to the pastor? Did Moses go for counseling about whether or not to cross the Red Sea?

George Barclay: This isn't the same thing, Jimmy.

Donna Barclay: It sure seems like a miracle. We prayed, didn't we, Donna? I would appreciate it if you'd keep praying too. This won't be an easy decision.

Jimmy Barclay: I think Dad has lost his marbles. It's perfect. It's everything I prayed for.

Donna Barclay: I don't understand it either, but it's his life and his decision.

Jimmy Barclay: Yeah, but what he decides affects our lives too. I think we should have put it to a vote.

Donna Barclay: Doesn't work like that.

Whit: Hello, Jimmy, Donna.

Donna Barclay: Hello, Mr. Whittaker.

Whit: Pretty exciting about your dad's job offer, huh?

Jimmy Barclay: Exciting for us, yeah, but I can't say the same for Dad.

Whit: Something wrong?

Donna Barclay: We figured Dad would jump at the chance to take this new job, but he said he wants to think about it.

Whit: Well, what's wrong with that?

Donna Barclay: Nothing, I guess, but it sure seemed obvious to us. It was the answer to our prayers.

Jimmy Barclay: Even down to the big office and the company car.

Whit: I see. I don't mean any disrespect, but I really think Dad's flipped out this time. Thinking and praying for God's will before making a decision is flipping out?

Jimmy Barclay: Not when you put it like that. It's just so obvious.

Whit: You know, I believe your dad will make the best decision, but there's something the two of you need to understand about prayer.

Donna Barclay: What?

Whit: The obvious answer isn't always the right answer when it comes to how God answers our prayers.

Jimmy Barclay: Mom, Dad, we're home.

Mary Barclay: We're in the living room, kids.

Jimmy Barclay: Is she crying?

Donna Barclay: Hi, guys. I'm sorry about this. This must look awful.

Donna Barclay: What's wrong? What happened?

Jimmy Barclay: Did somebody die or something?

George Barclay: No, nothing like that. You better sit down. It's kind of funny.

Mary Barclay: Yeah, hysterical.

Donna Barclay: What's going on?

George Barclay: I'm not going to work with my old company.

Jimmy Barclay: Oh, man. I think I'm going to cry now.

Donna Barclay: Did they offer it to someone else? Is that why you're crying?

Mary Barclay: No, we're not crying because we're sad. We're crying because we're happy.

Jimmy Barclay: Happy? Dad lost his job again, and you're happy?

George Barclay: I didn't lose the job, Jimmy. I just decided not to take it.

Donna Barclay: You turned it down?

Jimmy Barclay: I know. You got a better job offer, didn't you? President of something?

George Barclay: Sit down, will you?

Jimmy Barclay: We are sitting, Dad.

George Barclay: Maybe I better stand up. You see, this time without work has had a big impact on me, not just the finances, but everything. It's helped clear my thinking and reset my priorities.

Jimmy Barclay: He is going to sell my stereo.

George Barclay: No, nothing like that, Jimmy. Your mother and I have talked and prayed, and I've spent the past few months getting help and advice. I'm going to cry again.

Donna Barclay: I don't believe this. I'm a nervous wreck. What is going on? Will you tell us?

Mary Barclay: Be patient, Donna. He will.

George Barclay: That's all right. Kids, I didn't accept the job because I believe that God is calling me into the ministry.

Jimmy Barclay: What?

Donna Barclay: A minister?

Jimmy Barclay: You mean like a pastor at a church?

George Barclay: Wherever God says.

Jimmy Barclay: But we don't know how to be ministers' kids. We'll have to act perfect all the time.

Mary Barclay: Pastors' kids are not perfect.

Donna Barclay: You're telling me. Have you seen the way some of them dress?

George Barclay: Calm down, you're moving too fast.

Jimmy Barclay: Too fast? What if God wants you to go to deepest, darkest Africa or somewhere in Connelsville?

George Barclay: Then we'll go, but will you slow down a minute? It's not like you have to pack tonight.

Donna Barclay: It's a shock for you.

Jimmy Barclay: How about a trillion-volt shock? Am I glowing yet? Everything's going to change. I just know it.

George Barclay: Probably.

Jimmy Barclay: We're going to have to be at church every time the doors are open.

George Barclay: Jimmy, you two are at church now every time the doors are open.

Jimmy Barclay: Now we'll feel like we have to.

George Barclay: You just relax for a minute. I haven't thought and prayed about this without keeping you in mind. This isn't just an overnight decision. It's been going on for a long time. I've spent the past few months testing it and talking to the pastor.

Donna Barclay: That's why you've been spending so much time with him.

George Barclay: That's one reason, yes.

Donna Barclay: Why didn't you tell us?

George Barclay: I didn't want you to worry about it like you are now until I knew for sure what to do. It's funny, but that job offer worked as a reason for finally making a decision.

Jimmy Barclay: That's what we get for praying. Do you see, Donna? You and your big ideas.

Donna Barclay: Cut it out, Jimmy.

George Barclay: You two were praying for me together?

Donna Barclay: Yeah.

George Barclay: I'm touched.

Mary Barclay: That's very sweet of you.

Jimmy Barclay: But we prayed for you to get a job, not this.

George Barclay: But don't you understand? God answered your prayer. Your dad is going to get a job now. It just wasn't the job that we expected.

Donna Barclay: Not what we expected. Isn't that what Whit said to you, Jimmy?

Jimmy Barclay: Maybe.

George Barclay: Look, this whole thing is a process. It's going to take some adjustment as we go along. I'm still going to have to find part-time work while I go to seminary.

Jimmy Barclay: You're going back to school?

George Barclay: I'll help you with your homework, Dad.

George Barclay: I'd appreciate it.

Jimmy Barclay: I'm sorry. I'm going to have to think about this. It's a lot to dump on us all of a sudden.

George Barclay: I know that, and I'm sorry about it, but I couldn't think of a better way. There's more to tell you, but why don't we just leave it alone for a little bit while you get a chance to think about it, okay? Just try to get used to the idea.

Donna Barclay: Okay. Come on, Jimmy.

Jimmy Barclay: Do pastors get a company car?

Donna Barclay: Come on.

Mary Barclay: George, what about...

George Barclay: Let's wait, Mary. One thing at a time.

Whit: Okay, so what do you think?

Donna Barclay: I don't know. It's a lot to deal with.

Jimmy Barclay: This isn't one of those "do we buy a new vacuum cleaner" decisions.

Whit: It certainly isn't. Imagine how your dad must feel.

Donna Barclay: I'd be scared.

Whit: You can be sure of that.

Jimmy Barclay: I can't picture it. Dad, a pastor or a missionary or something. I mean, he's just my dad.

Donna Barclay: That won't change, Jimmy. He'll always be our dad.

Whit: But make no mistake, he'll be more than just your dad. In a way, he'll become a dad to a lot of people. You're going to have to learn to share him.

Donna Barclay: I hadn't thought of that.

Whit: I won't sugarcoat it. Your whole family is in for a lot of change. This process is going to require sacrifice from all of you.

Jimmy Barclay: More sacrifice, you mean. That's how it's been ever since Dad lost his job.

Whit: Then you're already prepared for part of it. Funny how that works. God's been preparing you for something and you didn't even know it.

Donna Barclay: Everything is going to change now. I can feel it.

Whit: Probably. But like I've said before, it's not the changes that are important, but how we react to the changes that'll make all the difference.

Donna Barclay: I guess our reaction hasn't been very helpful to Dad.

Whit: Just remember, the best thing we can do is face up to the changes in our lives with courage and faith that God is involved in those changes. That's the challenge for all of us.

Donna Barclay: Yeah.

Jimmy Barclay: Yeah, I guess.

Whit: Why don't you go on home and talk to your parents some more? I'm sure they have more to say, want to know how you feel.

Donna Barclay: Okay. See you, Mr. Whittaker. And thanks.

Whit: You're very welcome. And you can be sure I'll be praying for you. The best is yet to come.

Donna Barclay: Mom, Dad, sit down.

George Barclay: Uh-oh. I guess you've been talking about it.

Mary Barclay: We have. You want to go first, Jimmy?

Jimmy Barclay: Not a chance.

Donna Barclay: Okay. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.

George Barclay: We're sorry for reacting so selfishly earlier.

Jimmy Barclay: Donna was selfish. I was just considering our options. Are you going to talk?

Jimmy Barclay: Go ahead.

Donna Barclay: Dad, the truth is I love you and I'm proud of you for making such a hard decision. I know it must be really scary, but we're with you. No matter what happens, we're with you, even if it doesn't mean getting a company car. And that's it.

George Barclay: Come here, both of you. Come on, Mary. I think I might cry again. Thank you, kids. Thank you so much. You don't know how much it means to me. I just pray that as we go through this process together, it'll bring us closer to each other and to God.

Jimmy Barclay: Amen. Sounded like a benediction, Dad. Were you practicing?

George Barclay: Not exactly.

Donna Barclay: We know it means a lot of change, Dad, but we're ready for it.

Jimmy Barclay: We think.

George Barclay: I'm glad to hear that because there's something else you should know.

Donna Barclay: What?

George Barclay: Mary?

Mary Barclay: I'm not sure how to say it.

Donna Barclay: Just say it, Mom.

Jimmy Barclay: There goes my stereo.

Mary Barclay: Donna, Jimmy, I'm pregnant.

Jimmy Barclay: What?

Chris Metcalfe: It sounds like the Barclay family is in for a lot of change, and I can't wait to find out what's going to happen when we check in with them in the months to come. And that's all from us for now. If you ever have the urge to write, I'd love to hear from you. Just send your letter to Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995.

Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. You may also want to ask how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called "A Prayer for George Barclay". That address again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995.

Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. "A Prayer for George Barclay" was written and directed by Paul McCusker. Production engineer was Dave Arnold, and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.