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. . . But Not Forgotten

Album: 21: Wish You Were Here

Episode: 281

Lesson/Theme: Dealing with loss; change.

Bible Verse: Deuteronomy 31:8

Characters: Harlow, Connie, Eugene, Tom

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: September 10, 1994

Last Air Date: February 19, 2009

Description:
Connie arrives at Whit’s End, late, as usual. She finds Eugene almost having a nervous breakdown. He has been working all alone, and the kids practically mobbed him. Connie calms him down, then Tom enters. They discuss the situation. They realize that none of them have the time to always be there like Whit was. They start to clean up and discover Jack Allen! He’s been sitting there all afternoon, waiting for a sundae he ordered several hours earlier. Jack listens to their complaints about running Whit’s End, then he leaves. A few days later, Jack and Tom talk. Tom asks Jack if he would mind running Whit’s End for the afternoon until Connie arrives. Jack gladly agrees. Tom curiously asks Jack why he accepted this time, but didn’t do so when he previously had the chance. Jack says it is because no one asked him previously. Everything runs smoothly until Connie arrives. She sees Jack behind the counter, wearing Whit’s apron and immediately concludes that Jack is trying to take Whit’s place. This suspicion is confirmed for her later that week. Tom, who is running the place until Jason Whittaker arrives, appoints Jack to manage Whit’s End. Connie goes ballistic! She is sure Jack is pulling some kind of scam. She loudly proclaims this as she rushes out in tears. Jack follows to talk to her. Then Scrub runs up, upset about his loose tooth. Jack consoles Scrub. Jack says that change can be painful, but it is also sometimes God’s way to prepare us for something better. Connie understands the lesson was meant for her as well. She and Jack develop a new friendship under one condition, that Jack doesn’t wear Whit’s apron anymore. Jack agrees.

Questions:
At first, Jack didn’t offer to help around Whit’s End because he wasn’t asked. Why do you suppose he wanted to be asked? Why was Connie so suspicious of Jack? Jack told Scrub and Connie that sometimes change is “God’s way of preparing us for something better.” What did he mean by that? Do you agree with him?