Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: DEVOTED (02/04/21)
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TITLE: Pajama Game Reject | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bonnie Kronberger
02/10/21 -
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The plot involved a pajama factory, a 7 ½ cent raise, and the union. Sid, the factory superintendent and Babe, the Union Grievance Committee fall in love and are divided by the fight over a raise. A simple little love story, a Doris Day musical which was a popular script for high school performances. I wanted to play Doris Day’s character. Who wouldn’t? There were several other female parts, but this part had the most stage time and Babe was of moral character. God would approve.
Experience taught me stardom is not without its pitfalls. In eighth grade I played the lead part in the school musical, dyed my hair black, and sang, “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair”. What fun, but what disappointment for my parents when my report card came home filled with D’s, not to mention some other mischief I got into. Now as a high school senior, I believed I had matured enough to make right choices. My relationship with the Lord was solid. I desired to honor Him in all my ways and had good habits of worship and fellowship. It seemed this cute musical would be a fun, harmless activity.
Tryouts went well and at last the list for the selection of cast and characters was tacked on the wall. Darn. I would not be Babe. My name was listed to play the character of Gladys. Gladys! Oh no, not Gladys. Anybody but Gladys. In preparation for tryouts I had read the entire script, although my focus was on the part of Babe, but I remembered Gladys. Grabbing the script, I shuffled through the pages until I came to the part where . . . Oh dear . . .where Gladys plays a drunk at Hernado’s Hideaway.
Oh dear Lord, what had I gotten myself into. I couldn’t play a drunk. That would go against my commitment to God. It would bring shame to my testimony of being a Christian. I dreaded what I must do.
“I’m sorry Mr. Shelby. I can’t play the part of Gladys. I’m a Christian, and to act out being drunk goes against what the Bible teaches.” I was breathless with nervousness but determined to stand firm.
“Are you sure? You’ll only be in the chorus if you turn down this part.”
“Yes, I’m sure.” My emotions were torn between regret and relief, a battle of surrender still being fought.
The girl who actually played Gladys was an acquaintance of mine, and one who claimed to be a Christian. I wonder if she wrestled with her choice. Twinges of regret occasionally arose, as the part I rejected was embraced by another. Every rehearsal, each performance, I stood in the background, while she sashayed around in the spotlight, albeit the drunken spotlight. The applause was loud and captivating, but it wasn’t for me.
Even at seventeen, I knew my feeling of loss was nothing compared to the relief of obedience. Bad choices can be forgiven, but not undone. God's Spirit called me to decide. He gave me strength to choose the better part. I imagine I hear applauding in heaven—for me.
Memoir
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