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Emotional Baggage

Album: Gold Audio 10: Other Times, Other Places

Episode: 146

Lesson/Theme: Holding grudges.

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:5,7

Characters: Connie, Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: March 9, 1991

Last Air Date: July 22, 2008

Description:
Connie is in a major snit. She has just learned that her Aunt Helen (who is only eight years older than Connie) is coming for a visit. But Connie's mother, June, can't figure out why Connie is so upset. Helen is June's ex-husband's sister. That should be a problem for June, not for Connie. Connie tells her mom that Helen has never liked her and is always mean to her. Refusing to take the grief this time, Connie decides to stay at Whit's End until Helen leaves. Whit talks with Connie about it and discovers that her real problem with her aunt is that Helen introduced Connie's dad to the woman he left Connie's mom for. Whit acknowledges Connie's pain but says that she must release her bitterness. Connie refuses, so Whit comes up with a game involving bricks and feathers to tangibly illustrate the emotional baggage that Connie is carrying around. Whit tells her that the solution is to give it all over to God. Let Him take control, and He'll help Connie let go of her anger. Connie finally realizes that Whit is right. At long last, Connie sends her grudge packing.

Questions:
What could Connie have done to avoid becoming bitter? Why is it bad to hold a grudge? Are you holding a grudge against anybody? How can you let go of it?