Judge Not (2024) Movie Script

(gentle music)
(gentle music continues)
(bells ringing)
(bells ringing)
(uplifting music)
Are ye able, said the Master
To be crucified with me
Yay, the sturdy dreamers answered
To the death we follow Thee
Lord, we are able
Our spirits are Thine
Remold them, make us
Like Thee, divine
Thy guiding radiance
Above us shall be
A beacon to God
To love and loyalty
(uplifting music)
Are ye able to remember
When a thief lifts up his eyes
That his pardoned soul is worthy
Of a place in paradise
Lord, we are able
Our spirits are Thine
Remold them, make us
Like Thee, divine
Thy guiding radiance
Above us shall be
A beacon to God
To love and loyalty
(uplifting music)
Are ye able when the shadows
Close around you with the sod
To believe that spirit triumphs
To commend your soul to God
Lord, we are able
Our spirits are Thine
Remold them, make us
Like Thee, divine
Thy guiding radiance
Above us shall be
A beacon to God
To love and loyalty
(gentle music)
(uplifting music)
Are ye able, still the Master
Whispers down eternity
And heroic spirits answer
Now, as then, in Galilee
Lord, we are able
Our spirits are Thine
Remold them, make us
Like Thee, divine
Thy guiding radiance
Above us shall be
A beacon to God
To love and loyalty
(uplifting music)
(audience clapping)
(gentle music)
That was a great sermon today.
I wish a lot of these young kids
would wake up and take heed.
Amen, we'll keep preaching
what the Holy Spirit puts in our lips.
- Yes.
- All right.
Good to see you.
Amen.
That was such a nice sermon.
I could just feel the Lord
speaking to us through it.
Amen, well, thank you, Jackie.
You've always got wonderful things to say.
Bye.
Bye.
Good to see you.
Hey, another great sermon, Reverend.
Uh, by the way,
I should have two new
bits for you by Friday.
Excellent.
Ross, I know you'll get
us the greatest deal.
Yes, ma'am.
Good to have you.
(footsteps thudding)
Whoa! (Chuckles)
See, even they're trying to tell you two
to keep apart and keep
your hands to yourself.
Make sure you're treating
this precious young lady right, Cam.
- I will.
- All right.
- [Cam] Thank you.
- Sure.
- Thank you, Pastor.
- Yes, ma'am.
Good to see you.
(birds chirping)
(uplifting music)
(footsteps thudding)
(birds chirping)
(door whirring)
(uplifting music)
(hay rustling)
You know, my dad would
kill you if he saw you do that,
especially in his barn.
No, your dad loves me.
That's 'cause he
thinks you're a nice guy.
I am a nice guy.
Stop that!
I'm gonna put straw on your shirt.
Okay, okay.
(hay rustling)
You know, you're beautiful when you laugh.
Only when I laugh?
Okay, you're extra
beautiful when you laugh.
You're regular beautiful
all the other times.
That's better, Mr. Bailey.
You know, a lot more people
would be more beautiful
if they laughed, or at least smiled.
True that.
Like Marge in church,
that lady is so stone cold.
The only time I've seen her
happy is when she's gossiping.
Even then she doesn't smile.
I wonder, would her face crack if...
Okay, we should probably
talk about something
a little more uplifting,
like us going on the
mission trip this summer.
About that, I need to
save up money for that.
I, for food.
I can't stand the stuff that
they've tried to feed us there.
It's not that bad. You're just picky.
Come on now, I'm with you.
How picky can I be?
[Nova] You're gonna get it now, Mister!
Ooh!
(melancholy music)
(melancholy music continues)
(phone ringing)
Do-Do-Do-Do-Do
Do-Do-Do-Do-Do
Can you guys just fix
yourselves some breakfast?
Um, there is cereal, there's
Pop-Tarts in the pantry.
Um, milk, orange juice in the fridge.
Are you okay?
I just, I have a lot on my mind.
Like what?
Are you still thinking about Dad?
I wish that was all.
Then what's wrong, Mommy?
It's complicated, sweetie.
No, it's not complicated.
That's the kind of stuff Dad used to say.
Do you remember that guy
I went on a few dates with?
[Zack] The sweeper salesman?
No, the guy that said he
owned a few car dealerships
in Allison Park.
Oh, you mean the guy
who took us all to the zoo
and made you pay for everything
because he forgot his wallet.
Yeah, um, that guy, Charlie.
What about him?
Did he, did he do something to you?
(melancholy music)
Look, I just, it's adult stuff, okay?
Like what kind of adult stuff, Mom?
Can we just talk about this more later?
I really need to get to
Veronica's right now, and I just-
Mom, I just need to know if
Charlie did something to you.
He didn't hurt me.
Look, I know he wasn't
the nicest to you guys,
and that's the real reason
I told him to hit the road.
Yeah, I know what Dad did to you
and you didn't need
that in your life anymore.
Your father will pay for
his sins, and Charlie will too.
So what are Charlie's sins
and why are you keeping it all a secret?
I, I don't know.
I, I'm not, I'm just,
I just really need to talk
to another adult right now.
(melancholy music)
Charlie isn't coming back, is he?
No sweetie. Why would he?
We don't have any money left.
We don't owe him anything.
I know, but-
No, Mom, you work
hard just to support us.
He doesn't deserve any of your money.
He's not getting any money.
I just... What, Mom?
I'll soon be old enough
to die for my country.
I'm at least old enough to know what's up.
Quit treating me like I'm five.
It's okay, Mommy.
(melancholy music)
(gentle music)
(gentle music continues)
Makes you take a deeper breath
A fear that's pounding in your chest
Hurts and you wanna let it go
But you know that you can't right now
Taking steps, but always back
Dwelling too much on the past
And trying to get better now
But you know that you don't know how
You said this gets easier
But when does this get easier
'Cause the waves are
still crashing on my head
Body says I'm so far ahead
(bell ringing)
I can make it
Jackie!
Hey, what's going on?
I'm pregnant.
(melancholy music)
Does Robert know?
No. Why would he?
Oh, so stupid.
Is it Charlie's?
What do you think I am?
Of course it's Charlie's.
That's not what I meant.
I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.
Apparently I'm the who wasn't thinking.
It was one time.
Do you remember that weekend
I asked you to watch Casey and Layla,
and Zack went to his friends?
I wonder what happened.
You know, it seems like right after that
he tried to control you.
The worst part is he started
to be a real jerk to my kids.
Put me in a box, fine,
but if you can't treat my children
with love and respect, get out.
So now what?
The little ones probably won't understand,
but have you talked to Zach?
I literally found out a half hour ago.
You're the only friend that
I have that won't judge me.
And I don't know what I dread more,
going home to tell my children
or people at church who
think I'm a good person.
You are a good person.
You just had some bad things happen.
What do I do?
Well, you would tell me to pray.
You would tell me to ask God for guidance.
You know, you have something
that a lot of women want.
What? An ex-husband?
An ex-boyfriend/conman?
A car payment? Take your pick.
No, that's not what I meant.
You have a baby growing inside of you.
I don't even know how I
would take care of the baby,
let alone afford to find somebody
to watch it during the day.
I finally got to a point
with the little ones
where I can leave them with
Zack and I can finish my work.
Now I'm just like 10 steps backwards.
I know it's gonna be really hard,
but I'm gonna be there for you.
How? You work more than I do.
Well, I know my mom will help.
Please don't let this be an issue for you.
I just need to think,
let it sink in.
I have to go home and tell my children.
How do I do that?
I know Zach. He's a great kid.
He'll probably be your biggest
support system besides me.
I have to go.
I, um, I have to figure
out what's for dinner,
pizza.
It's just-
It's just what?
Charlie, if finds out
that there's a baby,
he might use it to get
to me or my children.
He doesn't need to know,
unless you're planning on
taking him for child support.
- You're kidding me, right?
- Yes.
I'm trying to get you to smile.
You know, I wouldn't put it past him
to try to get support from you.
Isn't that the ugly truth?
But he would have to
take me for child support
and custody and win, and
that's not gonna happen.
Hey, whatever you decide,
I'm here for you.
Thank you, Veronica. I love you.
That's what best friends are for.
(melancholy music)
(melancholy music continues)
It'll be okay, hon.
God has a plan. We just need to trust him.
I know.
I just wish,
our insurance only covers testing.
It won't pay for anything else.
Well, God's insurance covers everything.
Just remember that.
[Sarah] Millions of
children don't have parents,
and yet here we are.
(melancholy music)
[Jacob] Look, I found
this today at the bank.
Maybe this is God's answer.
Adoption?
But don't you wanna look at our baby
and try to figure out whose eyes or ears
or nose they have?
If the Lord gives us a
child of love, who cares?
They'll have eyes, ears,
and a nose, regardless.
I don't think I'm ready
to give up on us having a baby together.
If it's His will, then
who are we to question?
I know, I just,
I don't know.
I just feel like somehow
I'm letting us down,
like I'm not doing my job as a-
Sarah... As a mother or as a wife.
Honey, you're not letting anyone down.
If it's His will that we give
a child a home full of love,
then you will have done your job,
as a mother and a wife.
(melancholy music)
I know.
Thank you.
I love you, babe.
I love you, too.
You're gonna make an awesome
mom to whoever God gives us.
(melancholy music)
(engine whirring)
(crickets chirping)
(key clattering)
So what exactly are you
gonna do for the talent show?
You can show off your ninja skills.
Yeah, probably.
I have been taking out
money for a sun blade.
You're gonna sing, right?
I can't sing in front
of that many people,
not by myself, anyway.
But you sing for me and in church.
Yeah, but hymns are
somebody else's songs.
I'm a little shy about putting
my own stuff out there.
Am I special then?
You already know the answer to that.
So if you won't sing,
then what are you gonna do?
Ugh, I'll probably just suck
it up and do my own song.
Well, your songs melt me.
Anyway, come on. I brought something.
(crickets chirping)
(gentle music)
Let's watch the stars.
Is this your effort of being romantic?
I am romantic. No effort needed.
You know, every time
I look up at the stars,
I think of what God said
to Abraham in Genesis 15.
"You can count the stars,
and so shall your offspring be."
Like, how is that even possible?
What do you mean?
Like, there's estimated to be
over 200 billion trillion
stars in the galaxy.
How could the world hold that many people?
How could somebody have that many kids?
I think the point was
that Abraham could never
guess the number of stars.
But I think of all
the kids that are born,
not all of them get parents that love them.
Do you think we get to pick
our families before we're born?
We're not even able to talk.
How can we choose anything?
I guess, but do you think God talks to us
before we're born?
I mean, the Bible does say
that God knows us
while we're in the womb, so-
So there is a chance
we get to pick our families.
I don't think so.
Who would pick a crap house
with a crack-addicted mother
or a dad who beats on them?
True.
[Cam] I think you'd make an awesome mom.
[Nova] Some day.
I think we'd make awesome parents.
Some day.
We're graduating this year.
We should start planning.
We're graduating from high school.
We should probably think
about college first, or jobs.
I mean, how are we gonna feed our kids?
I, I think I'm just gonna get a job.
Have you heard the horror stories
of college graduates?
I don't think I wanna get 100,000 in debt
before I even get hired.
How could I feed the kids then?
Well then, you better get a good job
and stop buying your boy
toys, Mr. Sun Blade Man.
Kids love toys.
Our kids will.
Come here.
(uplifting music)
(uplifting music continues)
(crickets chirping)
(gentle music)
(students chattering faintly)
[Student] And then
after (speaks faintly).
(gentle music continues)
Hey, you plan on doing
anything for the talent contest?
Yeah, how about you?
Well, I was thinking of
maybe singing something.
You totally should.
I've heard you and you
are absolutely amazing.
Thanks, that means a lot.
Of course.
Don't do anything you're
not comfortable with,
but either way, I think you're great.
Okay, so we have the
talent contest coming up.
If you would like to participate
but haven't signed up
yet, please do that soon
so we know how many to plan for,
and invite friends over
the next couple of weeks.
Um, they all can participate as well,
or even just watch.
I wanna participate,
but I'm not really good at
singing in front of people.
Well, I don't think
it's just a singing thing.
Uh, you could do a poem that you wrote,
you could do a skit, you
could, uh, do standup,
you could do a comedy sketch,
you could do something
like juggle or tap dance,
you could do an improv, a magic show.
You could, I don't know,
show us some sketches that you've done.
Maybe a drum solo?
Or a drum solo.
Uh, the point of the show is to raise money
for our mission's trip this year.
Well, I wrote my own song
so I was thinking about doing that.
Oh, that's exciting.
Uh, can we hear it before or,
or must we wait until the night of?
No, you guys have to wait.
I think I'll sing,
I don't know, something.
(students chuckling)
I think I'll do a skit.
Yeah, a skit.
Yeah, Kiki. That sounds great.
Um, I can't wait to see
what all you guys do.
I've been practicing my dance moves.
I hope the stage is big enough.
(students chuckling)
I think, I think I'll
do something similar.
Maybe something with ancient martial arts,
but switch it up a bit.
Yeah, Cam, Cam, that
sounds, that sounds awesome.
I think this is gonna
be a really great night
with some really great fellowship.
So Craig, I've been wanting to tell you,
but great job with youth group.
I mean seriously, your
dedication is amazing
and I think that we can all agree
that we are very excited
to see the talent show.
Yeah, no, the Lord has
blessed us for sure, Ross.
Not just the, uh, youth,
but the whole community
has just gotten so involved.
Uh, we have a bake sale
donated by the lady's auxiliary,
an art exhibit.
Wow, that sounds great, Craig.
Praise God.
I hope the kids clean up
after themselves this time.
I'll remind them, Marge,
but we have to remember,
we can't treat it like
it's a boot camp though,
or we won't have a youth group.
They're kids. This is what kids do.
Well, I'm tired of
cleaning up after them.
They need to work as a
team and learn responsibility.
I agree, but that's where
adult guidance comes in.
Yes, although we do
appreciate everything you do
to pick up the slack, Marge.
Jackie, you're quiet today.
Everything all right?
I'm fine.
I just have a lot of my mind, is all.
Is there anything we
can keep you in prayer over?
(melancholy music)
Not to be nosy or anything, Jackie,
but how are the kids adjusting, you know,
to not having their father in their lives?
Well, I think you should
give him another chance.
Think of what this is doing
to your children, not
having their father around.
I didn't have him run off
with somebody half his age,
and I didn't tell my
kids to hate him for it.
Oh, um, children should
never hate their parents,
and they shouldn't be made to feel
like they're stuck in the middle,
and they have to choose sides either
when adults have a conflict.
Forgiveness is-
My children reacted to what they know.
It was their father
that turned his back on them.
All for a girl that isn't even old enough
to buy a pack of cigarettes,
and I'll have all of you know
that we have moved on.
Then why are you being so snippy,
like a child who just lost her puppy?
I guess I may as well just tell you
and let your judgment fall where it may.
When Robert left, I went on a few dates.
Not that I expect any of you to understand,
but human approval is overrated,
but I'm pregnant.
(melancholy music)
Well, I'd say you evened
the score with Robert.
Yeah, I evened the score.
Well, what else would
you call it? You both sinned.
Let's not get carried away, everybody.
All right, Jackie's in a tough situation.
What she needs is our love.
What she needs is our support.
Listen, Satan thrives
on chaos in our lives.
He loves to cause division,
but God doesn't abandon his children.
We shouldn't abandon each other either.
How will your children feel
about having a half brother
or sister added to the flock?
They'd be more concerned
about the father finding out
and coming back into our lives.
Well, he's gonna find out
when he gets hit with child support.
I haven't thought that far ahead.
I care about my children's feelings,
and I know that they don't want him around.
What kind of man is he and
why were you even with him?
I was lonely and lost.
Lonely or lost doesn't
give you the right to go out
and play house with a man
that you may as well call a total stranger.
(melancholy music)
I remember a certain husband
that left his mortgage payment
book on the breakfast table,
and in little note next
to it saying he's sorry,
but he ran off and fell in love
with that skinny little stripper,
and how distraught you were.
That was 20 years ago,
and I didn't go out and find
a boyfriend and get pregnant.
It wasn't for a lack of trying.
All right, let's not attack each other.
Let's just have a word of prayer.
Holy Father, I, I just pray
that you put your hand on Jackie.
She's going through this rough time.
It just, Lord, I pray that
you'll convict each of us
of our sins and guide us,
in, into how we can
properly love each other,
and it's in your son's name we pray.
Amen.
Before we begin, we'll
have to do a background check
to make sure you guys aren't criminals.
Or if you have the means, basically.
That's fine.
We just, we know there's a process.
We just wanna give a child a good home.
My husband's a hard worker,
and we always make sure the bills are paid.
Like Jacob says, we just wanna
give the child a good home.
And that's, um, well, let's start
by filling out this paperwork.
Unless born, your adoption
is not an easy process.
It can take months, even years to complete.
Uh, why so long?
Aren't there lots of kids
who need loving homes?
Yes, but finding a
suitable match can take time.
Uh, once you're approved,
which can take months,
then you have programs to complete,
and then once that's all recorded,
then we let you know the next step.
If only we knew someone
was giving up their baby.
Well, that would
eliminate part of process.
Okay, well at least
we got the ball rolling.
We'll continue to pray
for God's will. Thanks.
Um, have you tried fertility clinics?
I heard they made a lot of progress
the past three years of treatments.
My insurance will only cover testing.
I have endometriosis.
Jacob's insurance covers
testing and drugs to ease the pain,
but nothing towards surgery
to even attempt to restore fertility.
Well, that is strange.
But they will cover
surgery if it leads to cancer.
Go figure.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that.
Oh look, I'll get the paperwork in
as soon as you get the forms back to me,
and if you have any questions,
please feel free to call us.
Let me know.
(gentle music)
(uplifting music)
- [Ian] Mrs. Madison?
- It's me, I'm here.
Hey guys, how was school?
- Good.
- It was good.
Mom, more watching a movie
about a girl with a brain tumor
and she got to wish for anything.
Yeah, what'd she wish for?
To meet Bigfoot.
Oh my.
So are you ready to talk to us
now they've had your adult chat?
[Ian] A subsequent CT scan confirmed
that a mass is growing
near your brain stem.
Yeah.
[Ian] As soon as they
have a room prepared.
I'm sorry, you guys are the
most important ones to me.
Mom, just tell us what's up.
(uplifting music)
I'm pregnant.
What?
I already got their
degree from the board.
Wait, you told them before us?
It wasn't intentional.
I just, they asked how I was doing,
and Reverend Howard,
he wanted to pray over me,
and it just came out.
I bet that went over good.
Yeah, Marge was all hard
and Faith just had no sympathy.
Well, what did they say?
[Announcer] Think about this.
It doesn't even matter.
100% able or ready
to care for her children,
there's nothing wrong with her giving them
to someone else to raise,
that is 100% able and ready.
Adoption is an honorable choice.
There might be drug or
alcohol addiction issues,
physical or mental health concerns.
You know, I was thinking,
since you guys don't feel that comfortable
with Charlie and he doesn't know,
what if we give the baby up for adoption?
You mean like give our
baby to someone else?
It's a little more
complicated than that, but yes.
Would we at least be able to see them
before you have to give him or her up?
I don't know how all that works.
Um, I just know that they
probably won't want us
to hold our or him for too
long, to get that attached.
Is that the only reason?
Because you don't want
us to see Charlie again?
That's not it.
I just, I don't tell you guys everything.
I don't tell you how hard
everything has been lately.
What do you mean everything?
Rent, bills, groceries,
not to mention your father.
He's fighting me on child support
and I just can't-
Can't what? Feed another mouth?
I mean, I'll be able to get a job soon.
I could help pitch in.
Zack, you are so blessed,
and you have such a big heart,
but this is not your responsibility.
But it's my brother or sister too.
You're not making this any easier.
I'm sorry, but easier is
pretty much irrelevant right now.
Everything is just going up.
Groceries that were $100 are 250 now.
Our rent went up by 100,
and that's because the landlord
said that his taxes went up.
And then last week, the boss pulled me back
just to tell me that I wasn't
gonna get a raise this year.
Sorry mom. I, I didn't know.
You never tell us anything.
Because you're my children.
You're supposed to feel safe at home,
and not worried about
when the next thing is gonna fall apart.
Whatever you decide, we'll be with you.
We just need to trust in God
and he'll work everything out.
You think she'll find Bigfoot?
(uplifting music)
(gentle music)
Hi, can I help you, ma'am?
Hi. Who do I see about adoption?
What's your name, hun?
Jackie, Jackie Robbins.
Okay, well, um, we
just need you to fill out
this form here and, but
both prospective parents
will need to fill it out.
Is Mr. Robbins present?
Um, I'm not here to adopt. I'm pregnant.
Oh, okay.
Well, if you don't mind
filling this out anyway,
and just have a seat.
Someone will see you shortly.
(melancholy music)
(paper rustling)
Hi, um, excuse me,
how far along are you?
Oh, about three months.
I still have to see my doctor.
Um, if you don't mind, why are you-
Giving up my baby?
Well, yeah.
I, I mean-
I have three kids of my own,
an ex-husband who
left me for trailer trash.
This baby's father is a
smooth talking, lazy person
who my children don't wanna be around.
Rent's going up, groceries are going up.
The company I work for
doesn't wanna give any
raises this year, so yeah,
there you go, happy?
Go ahead, judge me.
I, I'm sorry, I, I didn't mean to-
No, it's fine.
(melancholy music)
I'm, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to snap at you.
What's your name?
Jackie. Jackie Robbins.
Nice to meet you, Jackie Robbins.
I'm Sarah and this is my husband, Jacob.
If you don't mind mind,
we'd like to pray for you.
[Staff Member] Okay, Jackie,
a counselor will see you now.
(melancholy music)
I didn't mean to upset her like that.
I know.
Can't imagine what it's like for her.
Pray for that dear woman.
All right, so our talent contest
seems to be gaining a lot of traction.
Yeah, we have tons of applicants here.
Yeah, how many do we
have so far that are paid?
Um, I'd say 40, at least.
Cool.
Plus, like, a bunch of my friends
from school are asking about it too.
Awesome. Yeah, keep up the good work.
We may have our mission's trip paid for
with just this one event.
I have been practicing
my sun blade routine,
with a broomstick,
but that's until the real
one comes, just wait.
A sun blade. That's great.
I, I can't wait to see you in action.
He's definitely lit.
Nova, speaking of which, you
maybe wanna drop a few bars
of your song for us here now?
Um, not yet, but I am working on it.
I wanna sing something too,
but I'm not a songwriter
and I'm not really feeling
anyone else's music.
All right, so what will you do?
Um, what if she does a
dance routine like Lama's doing?
I haven't totally decided on that yet.
You said you would.
Well, I'm gonna do one
of those viral dance videos.
Yeah, that, that, that
should be interesting.
Maybe I'll sing the national anthem.
Well, I suppose that is the old standby.
If I think of something
else, I'll let you know.
Hey Zack, you're kind of
quiet tonight. Everything good?
Um, yeah, sorry.
I was just thinking of what
to do for the talent contest.
All right, well,
I, I know you've been
taking guitar lessons.
Maybe you wanna give us a little solo?
Mm, yeah, sure.
You totally should. I
think that'd be a great idea.
(gentle music)
All right, we are all set
to go with the talent contest.
Uh, we have over 40 contestants
and the bake sale is all set, too.
Wow, looks like you're leading
a great group of people here, Craig.
Praise God.
So Jackie, how's
everything going with you?
I'm doing.
Any resolution in the matter?
(melancholy music)
I'm gonna give the baby up for adoption.
You know, thousands of
couples out there want children,
and for whatever reason,
they can't have them.
That's what adoption's for.
Don't you think that's a
tad bit selfish on your part?
Selfish?
Selfish would've been if I had an abortion
and didn't tell a single soul.
Do you think this is an easy
decision for me or my children?
Speaking of your children,
I presume you've shared
this with them by now.
Yes, I have. And
they're supportive of it.
Well, you kept the first
three. Why not this one?
That's favoritism.
How's that any better than an abortion?
At least this child will have
a chance at a loving family.
That's how it's different.
Don't those children you already have
live in a loving family?
Yeah, I just don't understand
why she can't handle
one more child in her fold.
I told you guys,
my children are not
comfortable with the father.
If I keep this baby,
he'll eventually find out
and he'll be right back in our business,
but if I give this baby a
good home, he'll never know.
And you see nothing dishonest about this?
All right, enough.
All right, this is not an
easy cut and dry situation.
I think, no, I think
that we should leave it.
Are you taking her side
in this hypocrisy, Ross?
No, I'm not taking any sides.
I just think that we
need to pray for Jackie
in the situation, all right?
We need to pray that everything works out
to God's glory, not ours.
I move that Jackie step down
until she can straighten
her sins out with the Lord.
And I don't think we need to jump
to such a rest decision, hon.
Are, are you taking her side as well?
No, no, I'm just-
Against your own wife,
who you vowed to love, honor and cherish?
No, no.
I'm, I'm not trying to take anybody's side.
I just think that we need to
not make any big decisions
without talking through things first.
I have to be excused.
(melancholy music)
Well, I, I can't decide against my wife.
I don't know.
Uh, Jackie, I, I'm sorry,
maybe the best decision is
to have you step down just,
just until we see how things play out.
I agree, it's bad enough
she had an indiscretion,
but to dodge the responsibility?
I think she's being very responsible
by giving up her child to a home
that can provide love for it.
But this doesn't send a very good message
to our young people who face the temptation
to have sex every day.
This is ridiculous, all right?
I'm abstaining from this motion.
Me too.
I agree. I abstain.
On the record, I abstain,
but I agree with Marge.
It just sends the wrong
message to our young people.
You know what?
I'll just do you all a favor and quit.
I'm gonna stick it out to
the end of the talent show
for my son's sake, but afterwards,
we are finding a new church
where judgment doesn't flow like a river.
Come on, Jackie!
Wait a minute!
Jackie, please don't.
(suspenseful music)
I think we could have handled
this in a much better way.
(melancholy music)
Yeah, but you understand
where I'm coming from, right?
I can't side against my wife.
Well, you can't lead a church either,
as long as your wife's
calling all the shots.
Sorry, Reverend, but
that's the straight truth.
(melancholy music)
(gentle music)
(engine whirring)
Desperation tainting my decisions
I just wanna have control
But if you were to let that happen
I would paint my name a fool
One of us knows better here
And I know that it's not me
But all this weight is getting heavy
So just take my cross away from me
And you say
It gets easier
But when does it get easier
'Cause the waves are
still crashing on my head
Boat is there, but it's so far ahead
And I'm not sure
I can make it through the storm alone
You threw me a rope,
but it's so hard to climb
Can I keep pushing, do I wanna try
The joy in the journey
Is just so hard to find
But you and rain
With rainbow
And you and I, we stay
So if I keep on
Trusting you
Everything will be okay
And you said
It gets easier
But when does it get easier
(door thuds)
(footsteps thudding)
(game beeping)
(door slams)
Mom?
(footsteps thudding)
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
No, but you're not fine. You're crying.
I quit the board at church today.
What? Why?
Marge and Faith think
I should keep the baby
regardless of what anybody else thinks.
Mom, you got conned by a guy
after Dad took off for greener pastures.
Don't talk about your father like that.
He walked out on me too.
He walked out on all of us.
He didn't just walk out on you.
I know, and I'm sorry,
'cause I know you're in
more pain than you feel.
Mom, you're doing the best you can.
Honestly, I feel like they'd be happier
if I just went and took care
of it and didn't tell anyone.
That's terrible.
Ignorance is bliss.
That's so sad.
Well, what now?
I just wanna be alone.
(uplifting music)
Great job, everyone,
getting the talent contest planned out.
You all have just done above and beyond.
I'm so excited.
Me too. I can't wait.
I've got my dance routine down.
I'm ready to go.
Zach, what's this I hear
about your mom having another baby?
Um, well, yeah,
but we're putting it up for adoption.
Why? Don't you want
another little brother or sister?
When our dad left us, it
hurt my mom very, very bad.
A smooth talking jerk came along
and preyed on her weakness.
I don't blame my mom.
I mean, she didn't mean
to get pregnant or anything,
and she could have easily gone to a clinic
and nobody would've even
known, but she didn't do that.
She chose life for the baby
because she, no, we
didn't wanna see that guy
in our lives anymore,
and we're barely getting by as is.
We decided it was a better decision
to give the poor, innocent child a chance
at a loving home
with a family that's
actually ready for them.
At least the baby's gonna have a family.
And I completely
understand what he's saying.
They're gonna be ready to raise him.
Well, how about the rest of you?
What would you guys do
if you were in the situation?
I mean, I would hope you would wait
until you were married to have relations.
I'm waiting, but if I
was in this situation,
I would definitely give up my child
if I wasn't ready to raise it myself.
Yeah, but you said you're waiting, right?
Yes, but the question you asked was
if I was in this situation.
Yes, that's right. I did.
I know what happened
at the board meeting,
and I think Faith and Marge are wrong.
My mom is a good mom.
She did not deserve that
from the people she
thought were her brothers
and sisters in Christ.
(gentle music)
What'd my gram say?
Well, she just expressed her feeling
that giving up a child is
sending the wrong message
to young people like yourselves.
You know, giving an easy way out.
I'm sorry, Zack.
She can be very unfiltered at times.
And yes, yes, that's right.
This is true, yeah, she, she can be,
but did she not have the right to say
what she felt in that moment?
Not when it made my mom come home crying.
No, I agree with Zack.
Should've just kept
her thoughts to herself.
I second that. You guys?
Yeah, she should have.
Yeah, well, maybe.
(gentle music)
(upbeat music)
Hey, hey
Woo-Hoo
Oh, babe, hey, hey
Oh, babe, hey, hey
Woo-hoo
(upbeat electronic music)
Oh, babe, hey, hey, oh
Dear, we have a beautiful
day for our talent show,
and I just, did you see the art exhibit?
I mean, they had these beautiful
photographs of butterflies.
They're just amazing.
And the, the bake sale,
donuts were delicious, yes.
Did you save me any?
Oh yes. I think there's some left.
We have a beautiful turnout.
So many kids auditioning.
Yeah, youth group's done
a fantastic job this year
getting this thing set up.
See a lot of new faces though, too.
Wow.
Maybe some of them
may be in church tomorrow.
Yeah, perhaps.
Oh, okay, dear, I'm gonna
go sit there in the front row
and videotape, okay?
Sounds good.
All right.
(people chattering indistinctly)
Mom, don't worry about them.
It's their problem, not yours.
I know, I just feel so
awkward with everyone here.
No one in the youth group blames you.
Craig even brought it up.
Yeah, Craig.
(people chattering indistinctly)
[Sarah] Well, hello there.
Hi!
Sarah. We're Sarah and
Jacob Matthews from the center.
Yes. I'm lousy with names.
I'm so sorry I was short with you guys.
Oh, no apology needed.
Small world, huh?
It is. These are my children.
Hi.
We have Zack, Layla, and Casey.
What a beautiful family you have.
Thank you. So how
did you guys find us here?
Well, we just moved here from Philly
and we were looking for a good church.
We saw the flyer on
our car a couple days ago
for the talent show, so
we decided to check it out.
Well, welcome to our little church.
Hello, everybody.
Thank you for coming out
for our talent show today.
I know that all the participants
and the performers have been working hard
to make sure that we've
got a treat for you tonight.
So without further ado,
first up, we have Alana
singing the national anthem.
(audience clapping)
O say can you see
By the dawn's early light
(suspenseful music)
(sun blade whirring)
(upbeat music)
(sun blade whooshing)
(upbeat music)
(sun blade whooshing)
(audience clapping)
(upbeat music)
(audience clapping)
Wow, great job, Cameron.
All right, I'm sure the
judges are gonna give you a,
a great score on that one.
All right, and now something
we've all been waiting for.
Get ready to hear a brand new original song
from our very own Nova Lee.
(audience clapping)
Lord, You are the living water
Drink from You and my soul is satisfied
I dwell in You and my cup runneth over
And drawing from Your work
My well is never dry
And You hold me
Under the water
Oh, I feel
Like I'm struggling to breathe
But when I come back up
To the surface
Lord, I know
That's You surrounding me
Oh, oh, oh, when I'm drowning
Oh, oh, oh
You're reaching out to me
Oh, oh, oh
When I'm drowning
Oh, oh, oh
You're reaching out to me
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
(upbeat music)
Hey, hey
A tooty-ta, a tooty-ta, a tooty-ta-at
(feet tapping)
Hey, hey
Woo, oh
(guitar strumming)
(audience laughing)
(upbeat music)
(audience laughing)
(drum pounding)
A tooty-ta, a tooty-ta, a tooty-ta-ta
(audience clapping)
Dum, dum, dum, du-du-dum
(dancer humming)
(audience laughing)
A jet pack I saw earlier,
or a sith, was it?
Are you from Tennessee?
'Cause you're the only 10 that I see.
(audience laughing)
(gentle music)
(audience clapping)
And the home of the brave
(audience clapping)
A tooty-ta-ta
A tooty-ta, a tooty-ta, ta-ta-ta
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
(audience clapping)
Just be glad that nobody
put you up for adoption
when you was born.
I love you grandma,
but sometimes you, you can be such a jerk.
All right, wow, we've had a lot of great,
talented people here today.
Let's hear it for everyone
who contributed here tonight.
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
All right. Wow.
You know, I truly wish
that I could award first place
to everybody that performed here tonight,
um, but there can only be
one person in the top spot.
So, all right.
Okay. Not too shabby.
All right, in third place
we have Cameron Bailey
with his sun blade routine.
Let's give it up for Cam.
(audience clapping)
All right, Cam, good job.
All right, for our second place winner,
and let me tell you it was a closed vote,
um, let's hear it for Willow.
(audience clapping)
All right, little Willow.
All right, and now for
the talent show winner,
Nova Lee!
(audience cheering)
Good job. Good job, Nova.
(audience clapping)
(audience clapping)
You okay with third?
Yeah, I mean those girls can really sing.
Not as good as you, obviously,
but I'll be a better ninja by next year.
You'll always be my number one ninja.
Oh man, thanks.
Your song was breathtaking.
Thanks. I didn't really plan on winning.
I just entered to be supportive.
Wait, is, is that Jackie?
Yeah, I think so. She seems upset.
(children shouting indistinctly)
It's just not fair.
They think that whatever
position they choose in the matter
is what God wants them to do.
I can't help but that Marge's
husband left her 20 years ago,
and that she spent the rest of her life
taking it out on the
world and not moving on.
But that Faith and the
reverend couldn't get it together
and have a child.
Neither one know how scary it is.
You don't owe anyone an explanation.
You have to do what's best for you,
and for the children
you're already raising,
by yourself, quite nicely, I might ad.
Thanks. It's not just about me.
My children are terrified of Charlie.
If I could just raise this baby on my own
without him knowing.
You're a good person.
Don't these church people
know that you could just sneak off
and have it terminated?
No, no brownie points for choosing life.
They think that because I
wasn't held down and forced,
that I should just spend
the rest of my holidays,
birthdays, and graduations
with a guy who thinks I can pay my bills
and his with his lies.
And you shouldn't have to.
Yeah.
He felt that whoever he
chose to bless his presence with
was a lucky person.
Well, you don't need that
kind of blessing in your life,
and neither does that baby in there.
You're right. I just can't take the risk.
It's just some people-
Some people can just take
a long walk off a short pier.
I knew there was a reason
I didn't go to that church.
It's not even the church,
it's just a few of the people.
(children shouting indistinctly)
Man, I feel bad for
Zack and his whole family.
Yeah, let's go back to my
house before they see us.
Yeah. This is awkward.
(children shouting indistinctly)
Mom? Dad?
Hey look.
(suspenseful music)
(paper rustling)
At the store. Back around five.
So we have the house
store itself for another hour?
I know, we have to be good.
Craig said we shouldn't.
Come on girl. You love me, don't you?
Yeah, but you just heard Jackie.
Do you want us to end up like that?
Who says we're gonna end up like that?
We will if we don't put
the brakes on here, mister.
This is different.
We love each other, right?
Well yeah.
Okay then, we're safe.
Plus, everybody knows that the chances
of us getting pregnant on the first time
are like one in a bazillion.
And who says I'm
ready for the first time?
Oh, we kinda can't do the second time
till we do the first.
Funny.
Okay, how about we
say this is the second time,
and leave the first for another day?
- You have no concept.
- What do you mean?
I knew you were the one
for me the first day I saw you.
I was five.
I mean the first time I saw
you as a beautiful young lady,
not as a little kid anymore.
You're so hard to win an argument with.
(uplifting music)
(gentle music)
So Mom, I've been thinking.
What about?
Do you think maybe we
should look for a new church?
Why do you say that?
Because Mom, the way
that they're treating you,
it's like they're trying to live your life,
and not even once have they brought up God
or Jesus or anything like that.
It's just, "You should do
this," or "You shouldn't do that."
Zack, everywhere has judgmental people,
not just in the church.
I know that, but I don't know.
You shouldn't come home from church crying.
That was one time and
I've quit the board since then.
But that's my point. It
shouldn't happen at all.
I kind of already told the board
that we might be looking for a new church.
And what'd they say?
I don't know. I walked out.
But I'm sure Marge had plenty to say.
Craig was trying to get the youth group
to put themselves in our
position and see what they'd do.
So they're making an example out of us?
Well sort of, but they
all kind of stood up for you.
Craig just kind of put his
head down and dropped it.
Sounds about right.
(gentle music)
I can't believe Jackie
wants to throw her baby away.
A gift from God, and she
just wants to throw it away.
Clearly it wasn't planned.
Does that give her the
right to compound her sin?
Oh, it's not a sin to give
a child up for adoption.
It's shirking responsibility,
responsibility for an act
that was clearly within
her means of control.
We don't know all the
reasons for Jackie's decision.
And we're not responsible
for knowing them.
Our directive from the
Lord is to call out sin
when we see it.
And again, it is not a sin
to give a child up for adoption.
You continue to take her side over mine.
I'm not taking anybody's side.
We both know the real
reason you feel this way.
(melancholy music)
(Faith sighs)
It isn't fair.
All I ever wanted was for us
to have a couple of children
running around the house,
and to watch them grow
and someday have children of their own.
This one little thing
was always just out
of reach for me, for us.
Romans 9:20-21,
"Who has the right to say to the potter,
'Why have you made me this way?'
Or 'Why have you made me that way?'"
Doesn't the potter have the
right to the same lump of clay
to make either a vessel for honor
or a vessel for dishonor, for common use?
So that's all we are, lumps of clay?
Well, for whatever reason,
God decided not to give us
a, a, a family with children.
I mean, but he did give us a flock to lead.
He gave us sheep to
guide and, and to teach.
Sheep, but sheep aren't the same.
You can't hold them in your
lap and cuddle them to sleep,
and watch them take their first steps.
I know. This is the hand we're dealt.
You know, I mean, it doesn't seem fair.
This is what God gave us.
You know, what it doesn't
do is give us the right
to judge people out of jealousy.
I'm not jealous of her.
I feel sorry for her, for any woman
who could be so easily fooled into bed
by an economically handicapped,
lying, cheating, angry man!
(gentle music)
Ladies, let's welcome
Jackie to our group.
- [All] Hi Jackie.
- [Jackie] Hi.
[Host] Jackie, would you
like to share your story with us?
Yeah. I'm pregnant.
I, I was married for 16 years.
My husband had a midlife crisis, I guess.
He ran off with a girl.
That's what she was, a girl,
just five years older than our son.
Anyway, shortly after, I met this guy,
and he just started
saying all the right things.
He told me that my husband was a loser
and that I was a peach on a window sill.
You are very pretty,
Jackie. I just love your hair.
So Charlie, my, this man,
my knight and shining armor,
presented himself as well-connected,
and well-funded, a savior.
It didn't take long before I gave in,
and shortly after,
he would forget his wallet
and I'd pick up the tab.
Little things like that.
But then he started following me around,
and then he was accusing me of cheating,
but then he started to
treat my kids like crap.
You need to get away from him.
You did, right?
Yes.
Finally, he decided to bless
someone else with his love.
About a month after, I
realized I was a little late,
and I took a pregnancy test, and yeah.
Come here.
Thanks. So here I am.
Charlie doesn't know, and my kids and I,
we do not want him to know.
So do you know what you wanna do?
I just don't want
Charlie to ever find out.
Has he tried to contact you?
Not since I told him I
didn't have any more money.
Wow. So he was a scammer too?
Among other things, yes.
So Jackie, have you
been to see your doctor?
I've been tested for STDs,
and as of right now, nothing's shown up.
But the part that gets me
the most, it's my church.
I've been a Christ follower for years.
It's Him who has gotten me
through this storm in my life,
but some of the people at my church,
they're just not as kind.
They think that since I wasn't held down
and brutally forced, that
I should just suck it up
and raise the baby,
even co-parent with him.
I guess that's why I'm here.
I just wanted to see how it
was working out for you all.
Uh, would anyone else like to share?
Yeah, um, yeah, I'll go.
Um, mine would've been five right now.
You know, every time I see a 5-year-old,
I think mine could have
looked just like him or her.
If I wouldn't have had an,
if I would've chosen something else,
then maybe things could
have been different, you know?
But I didn't, so instead I just,
I just cry and I walk away.
Well, I often wonder who
mine would've grown up to be.
If it was a boy, would
he be a baseball player?
Or if it was a girl,
would she be a ballerina?
Mine would've been 12.
And I know he was a boy
because he still haunts me in my dreams.
Most nights I wake up screaming.
My husband has to calm me down.
I go through the same
thing, but I started drinking,
and I'm fine.
For me, um,
well, for me, um,
I struggle with forgiving myself.
And everybody tells me that God forgives,
and I should have faith
that every single will be fine.
Um, I'm sorry, um,
but I'm not sure how to do that
when, when I hate myself for my decisions.
[Participant] It'll get better.
Well, my doctor finally
gave me, uh, some happy pills,
but now I can't sleep.
Yeah, 'cause that's a real prescription.
Well, he changed it to Kpins.
Yeah, right.
I have a prescription for that.
Yeah, sure, a prescription in your head!
Oh, whatever, little girl - Me, me, me!
You don't know anything.
You know what, save it for a therapist
because the only person
that can actually (indistinct)
That hears you speak is
someone who gets paid to.
Calm down, okay? Let's have a seat.
It'll be okay. We'll be okay.
Okay, maybe we all
should just take a short break.
Please remember, people
and situations can change,
and we are here to support one another.
Mm-hm, that's right.
Sit down little girl.
Aren't you needed at the nutty ward?
[Participant] I'll take you
to preschool on the way there.
I didn't realize
what personality I was
speaking to (indistinct).
Oh, I will show you
all the personalities.
[Participant] You won't do anything.
[Participant] Oh, go sit in
the corner and cry some more.
[Participant] I don't cry.
(both shouting indistinctly)
I don't know what I was thinking.
I guess I just had to see it myself,
but those girls were so-
They're hurting.
Just because you have the right to choose
doesn't mean you escape the pain.
One girl had nightmares.
Another girl can't look at a 5-year-old
because that's how old her child would be.
Well, I guess it confirms
what you already knew.
You can't let a few church people
and their baggage make you doubt yourself.
It's just so hard
when I've considered these
people to be like family.
It's like everything just
fell apart when Robert left.
Like it was my fault.
Nobody blames you. Not even Robert.
Except as an excuse
to live his fantasy life.
Bet Marge does,
and that rude of a reverend's wife.
I can't keep my man happy?
That's ridiculous, and
you and I both know that.
This Marge sounds like a hot mess.
(suspenseful music)
(Nova crying)
(footsteps thudding)
(Nova crying)
(suspenseful music)
(door thumps)
(toilet paper rustling)
(suspenseful music)
- Oh, hi, Nova.
- Hi, Marge.
You're crew fared very
well at the talent contest.
Yeah, I, I guess so.
Are you all right?
(melancholy music)
Oh, no, dear Nova, no.
I, I don't believe it.
It was just one time.
Did you think that it would
take more than one time
being irresponsible like that?
I, I don't know what I'm gonna do.
- Does anyone else know?
- No.
I, I just took the test now.
Does anyone suspect?
- No, I, I don't think so.
- Well, then it's simple.
I think you should just
go get it taken care of.
What? How can you even say that?
All sins are equal in God's eyes.
But abortion is murder.
What makes this one any different?
It will give you back
your life as you know it.
Those babies go back to God.
It's not like they go to hell or anything.
I can't believe what I'm hearing.
I think it would be for best.
(ominous music)
I gotta go.
So what are we gonna do?
I don't know.
You told me it wouldn't
happen on the first time.
No, I said the chances of
it happening the first time
were like one in a gazillion.
Well then, welcome to the world
of winning the baby lottery.
Ugh, it wasn't supposed to be like this.
What was it supposed to be like then?
I don't know. I'm just a 17-year-old.
Exactly.
This is why we shouldn't
have been messing around.
(melancholy music)
Look, I know this is my fault.
It's our fault.
Okay, but we gotta figure
out what we're gonna do next.
My parents are gonna be so disappointed.
I'll go with you and explain everything.
There's nothing to explain.
I'll tell them it was my fault.
Look, I wasn't forced.
After we drop the bomb,
they're not gonna care
about what we have to say.
I know my dad.
He'll have his meltdown and blow up,
and then a day later he'll be all rational.
(Cam chuckles)
What? Nothing about this is funny!
Just thinking about
what my mom always said,
no matter how big I thought of a problem,
she'd always tell me, "One day,
you'll look back on this and laugh."
Well this isn't one day.
This is here and now.
You need to get serious or
you're gonna make this worse.
Any chance of that? Yeah, yeah.
Speaking of your mom,
what's she even gonna say?
Are you gonna even tell your dad?
I never see my dad, like ever.
And my mom, she just
wants me to get a job and-
And what? Have a family?
Not like that.
She just wants to see me succeed at life.
Is this even gonna help?
Look, my mom is not gonna be all torn up
like your mom and dad, but she does care.
Well, is she ready to babysit for us
so we can go out and get
jobs to support ourselves?
Because my parents are just gonna flip.
Look, look, let's just pray about it.
Then we'll go tell your mom and your dad.
I don't know what then.
Okay, we can wait for
the right time to tell them.
I mean, we have a couple of months before-
We can see the watermelon?
Oh, I wish we would
take things serious for once.
(melancholy music)
I'm sorry.
All right, look, let's
just pray about it, okay?
Okay.
(melancholy music)
Good morning, everyone.
This Sunday, I decided to focus
on the book of Matthew 19.
In this chapter, the Pharisees
are trying to trick Jesus,
to catch Him in His words,
and, and they ask Him a question,
in verse three, they ask
Him if there's any reason
that a man and woman
should be able to get divorced.
You know, should man be able
to put it away for any reason?
Jesus answered and
replied to them in verses 4-6,
and He said a few things.
He said that they were
created male and female.
And then He said that for
this cause, for marriage,
a man would leave his
father and his mother,
and he would cleave to his wife,
and they, too, would become one flesh.
And then furthermore, He said in verse six,
He said, "What God has joined together
let not man put asunder."
(gentle music)
The Pharisees then asked
Jesus, "If that's the case,
then why did Moses allow
for Israel to get a
certificate of divorce?"
Jesus said it was because
of the hardness of their hearts
that he allowed them to do that.
But from the beginning, it was not so.
(gentle music)
So we have it on scriptural grounds.
It's not God's plan for us to divorce.
It's a sin. We're not to divorce.
Our society today has
normalized all kinds of sin.
There's so many things going on,
but divorce, hey, that's only one of them
that's so prevalent.
Proverbs 8:13,
it tells us the fear of the Lord
is hatred of evil, and of the evil way.
So what are we supposed to do?
Are we supposed to ignore sin?
Are we supposed to let it slide by
so we don't stir the pot, so
we don't make people angry,
so we don't cause confrontation,
so we don't ruffle someone's feathers?
No, my brothers and
sisters, we are to call out sin.
We are to confront it where we see it.
(gentle music)
What's the matter, Jackie?
Why don't you just say
who you're talking about?
I, I don't know what
you're in reference to.
What do you mean?
You know exactly what I mean.
But in case a few of you haven't heard,
most of you know I'm divorced.
My husband, father of my children,
left us for greener pastures.
Then a smooth-talking man came along.
I wasn't looking for
anyone, or to even date,
but he had all the right things to say,
things a woman in my
position needed to hear,
not just that I was pretty or smart,
but that I was worth something,
and that I didn't have to be alone,
and that my kids didn't deserve
to feel abandoned either.
Jackie, you were weak.
You were open to be deceived.
You should have prayed.
Prayed? You think I didn't pray?
That's all I did for weeks.
I prayed for the pain to end
for myself and my children.
I prayed to end the emptiness
and the feelings of betrayal.
I prayed for sleep so I
wouldn't lose my job or my house.
So yes, Reverend Howard, I prayed.
We've established that
it has been a difficult time
for you and your children,
but that doesn't begin to
excuse the promiscuity that just-
Oh, promiscuity? Really, Faith?
Do you even know what
that word means? Do you?
Because if you don't,
maybe you should look it up
before you start to use
it in accusatory ways.
Jackie is our sister, and she was a victim.
She was the victim of a promiscuous man.
It takes two to tango,
unless Jackie wants to say she was forced,
but none of us have heard her say that.
So that's my sin now? I wasn't raped?
When I walked outta that
board meeting a few days ago,
I said I was taking my kids
and finding a new church.
My son even suggested it.
Jackie, I hope we can work through this.
We don't wanna lose you.
(gentle music)
We don't wanna lose you, Jackie,
but if that's your choice-
My choice?
My choice was to have a family
and attend a church with fellow believers,
brothers and sisters in Christ,
people to be there for me
when times get hard, not judges.
My choice is nothing
but a pipe dream, is it?
I understand.
In the church's defense, I think the reason
that you were initially met
with such hostility isn't
because you started dating
after your husband left,
or even that it resulted in a pregnancy.
Oh, I know,
because I chose to give
my baby up for adoption.
Instead of being happy
that I didn't sneak off
into some dark and dingy clinic,
I chose to give this
precious little gift from God
to a family that could
provide it a decent life.
Instead of being my support
in a storm, I was judged.
Would that have been
more acceptable to you?
Ignorance is bliss, right?
Well, that's what Marge told me to do.
She even offered to drive me to the clinic
and pay for it so that no one would know.
(congregants gasping)
What is she talking about?
I don't know, honey.
Guys, may as well let this out now.
Me and Cam, we didn't listen.
It was my fault.
She wanted to wait.
I love this girl,
but I, I couldn't wait.
So now what are you gonna do?
Both of you, since, obviously,
telling us wasn't your first thought.
I'm going to get a job,
and, and I...
(gentle music)
We were thinking of giving
up our baby for adoption,
just like Jackie.
(congregants gasping)
(gentle music)
(congregants chattering indistinctly)
(gentle music)
I'm Jacob Matthews.
This is my wife Sarah.
We recently moved here from Philly,
and we met Jackie at the adoption agency.
We've been trying to
have a baby for four years,
but we believe that the
Lord has kept us childless
so that we could be that loving home
for a child who wasn't exactly planned.
You can imagine our surprise
when we wandered into the
talent show and saw Jackie,
but what's more surprising is the way
that she's been treated
by those who are supposed to love and lead.
(gentle music)
Well, the you of all
people should understand
what it is to be barren!
(Faith crying)
I think the reason, the real reason
that Jackie was met with such revilement
is because the Howards are unable
to have children themselves,
and I think they're jealous.
I don't think that's fair to say.
Am I lying?
I didn't say you were lying.
I just said it's not
fair to say it that way.
Well, maybe it isn't fair.
Maybe it isn't fair to the Howards,
but I guarantee you it is as
fair as the judgment they cast,
or you for that matter, Marge.
It isn't fair! It isn't fair!
For years, we've prayed for a child and,
and then quite by accident,
someone who already has three children
she can barely take care of-
[Jackie] Which is exactly
why I made the decision that I did.
Well, guys, I'm just a teenager.
Obviously, I don't always
make the best choices,
but Jacob and Sarah, I can only hope
that one day I'll be as good
of a parent as you guys are.
(gentle music)
And I might just be a teenager too,
but when I was five, I was adopted.
I don't remember much
about my birth parents,
but somehow I, I got these burn marks
all over my back.
That says enough for me,
and I'm grateful for the
family who adopted me.
(gentle music)
Faith, I didn't mean
any offense towards you.
I was just making the
best decision I could.
I, I know you did.
I know a great adoption agency
that's looking for good
homes to place children.
(gentle music)
Faith and I,
we've sort of accepted
that the Lord isn't gonna
give us children of our own,
but He did give us an
entire flock of sheep to lead.
I'm just afraid that maybe
we've failed all of you.
You haven't failed us.
What you failed to do is overlook sin.
You've only called out sin.
(gentle music)
Is it Marge?
We believe that everything
happens for a reason.
In God's kingdom, there are no accidents,
just things that our pea
brains have yet to understand.
It was no accident that we
found that flyer on our car.
It was no accident that
we met the lovely Jackie.
It was no accident
that Sarah and I cannot
have children of our own.
I know many of you are hurting
from things that weren't your fault.
Marge, I don't know you,
but it's obvious that you're hurting worse
and for far longer than
anyone else in this room.
We are here for a reason, Jacob and I,
and it's not just because we need a baby
to give a good life to, and no,
we don't think we can rescue
you all from your heartaches.
Lord knows we have enough of our own.
But what we have to offer is love,
not just to a child, but to
fellow brothers and sisters,
those who we'll spend eternity with.
We're told in Ephesians
5:2, "Walk in love",
just as Christ died for you
and gave Himself up for us
"as an offering and sacrifice to God."
(melancholy music)
(uplifting music)
(children shouting indistinctly)
(upbeat music)
(water splashing)
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music continues)
(water splashing)
(baby cooing)
(water splashing)
Hi, there, little guy.
Is mommy taking good care of you?
He just keeps eating and growing.
So how's school going for you two?
Um, it's going pretty well.
We just finished our first
semester at Penn State,
and I finished with a 3.2.
I have a 4.0.
I'm so happy for you two.
You have great lives
ahead of you, both of you.
Thank you.
We're so glad that we could give you guys
and our son a great family.
And do you have any
plans for after school?
Yes, I want to be a teacher,
and Cam wants to be a general contractor.
Any plans together?
Uh, we're gonna keep on dating
and see where the Lord takes us.
Well, I hope we're
invited to the wedding.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
Well, you guys can
visit little Daniel anytime.
So what will you tell him
once he's old enough to ask?
Well, we'll tell him that
two very kind young people
who weren't quite ready to be parents yet
decided to give us a very special gift.
And someday, when he is ready,
and if you two don't mind-
Let's just wait on the Lord on that,
in His time.
Yeah, that's probably for the best.
Yeah, I think we can all agree on that.
[Cam] Yeah.
(babies cooing)
[Guest] I can get the baby for you.
Oh, thank you.
(upbeat music)
Jackie, so good to see you.
So happy you decided to keep your baby.
Nevertheless, I was way out of line,
accosting you the way I
did, and the others too.
That's okay.
I can totally see why
you felt the way you did.
And I'm sorry that you
couldn't have children.
Well, we have to trust God
to know what's best for our lives,
and sometimes it isn't
the same for everyone.
That's very true.
This is my friend Veronica.
She's expecting now.
[Faith] Oh, congratulations.
Veronica, Pastor Howard.
Very nice to meet you.
Look forward to having you visit us
in church, uh, some Sunday soon.
So just wondering here,
I know you had a, a lot of
things you were considering,
but, you know, about the father?
Yeah, shortly after Charlie left town,
his next victim was an
undercover FBI agent.
So his sins finally caught up with him.
I guess he was on their radar for fraud.
He was stealing from some
child's cancer fund or something.
So he's going away for a while then.
A long time.
He had, what, eight
counts of felony against him.
He opened nonprofits
and then took the money.
There was even a grand jury and everything.
So I guess he won't be coming around
to see his daughter anytime soon.
Yeah, no, she'll be an adult, at least,
by the time he gets out.
Yeah, I guess it all worked out.
Veronica even put a good word for me
at the firm that she works at,
and I start next week making double
what I made at the last place.
Everything worked out
for God's honor and glory then, Amen.
(uplifting music)
Just a little celebration.
And it looks great.
What are we celebrating?
Happy endings to new beginnings.
Marge, we all owe Jackie an apology
for the way we treated her.
We were so busy thinking about
how her decision affected us
and our lives that we
never stopped to consider
how she was feeling.
Hey Jackie, how are you?
It's, it's nice to see you.
Uh, we just wanted to
say that we really miss you
at the board meetings.
Isn't that right Craig?
Yeah, yeah, it's really
good to see you again.
Um, your baby is very beautiful,
and, and I'm really sorry
for the way I, I treated you
and your family.
I guess sometimes I get
so caught up in, you know,
teaching the do's and
don'ts to the kids that, um,
sometimes I just forget the gray areas.
Yeah, and I think that
what Craig is trying to say is
that we would welcome you back to the board
anytime you're ready, but if
you're not, we understand too.
As soon as I get settled
into my new job and new house,
I'd love to.
Great, um, and if it's
not too much trouble,
we already organized a team
to help you with the move.
It's the least we can do.
What? You're moving?
Yeah, three bedrooms was
just too small for my gang.
I'm always the last
one to know everything.
So we are gonna start working as a team
for other people, helping out
instead of just acting like
a group of religious people
who just get together
one day a week on Sunday.
So a lot of good has come from this.
I knew it would all work out.
I knew you'd make the right choice.
Oh, Marge, this is my friend Veronica,
and yes, she's pregnant.
Do you feel him kicking?
I do.
(gentle music)
Revelations 21:5, "Behold,
I make all things new again."
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music continues)
(water splashing)
(children shouting)
Lord, You are the living water
I drink from You
And my soul is satisfied
I dwell in You
And my cup runneth over
Drawing from Your word
My well is never dry
And You hold me
Under the water
Oh I feel
Like I'm struggling to breathe
But when I come back up
To the surface
Lord, I know
It's You surrounding me
When I feel
Like I'm fighting the current
Father, I know
That You control my fate
When You call me
To walk on the water
I rise above
And take each step with faith
And You hold me
Under the water
Oh, I feel
Like I'm struggling to breathe
But when I come back up
To the surface
Lord, I know
It's You surrounding me
As the waves
Are crashing above me
And I sink
Beneath the surface of the foam
When I feel
Like this fear is here to crush me
You hold me here
To grow and overcome
And You hold me
Under the water
Oh, I feel
Like I'm struggling to breathe
But when I come back up
To the surface
Lord, I know
It's You surrounding me
Oh, oh, oh
When I'm drowning
Oh, oh, oh
You're reaching out to me
Oh, oh, oh
When I'm drowning
Oh, oh, oh
You're reaching out to me
Veronica, Aaron, Aaron O'Dell.
[Cast Member] Aaron O'Dell!
[Crew Member] Bring it in. Bring it in.
Do we need to cut?
[Cast Member] You got it. You got it.
- [Aaron] No.
- [Director] Action.
Veronica, Captain Howard.
Very nice to meet you.
[Crew Member] Captain Howard?
Captain Howard, really?
Wow, where did that come?
[Cast Member] Blooper reel.
[Crew Member] All right,
back to the line. Let's go on.
Where did that come from?
[Cast Member] I think you.
There's a little something to celebrate.
[Reverend Howard] It looks amazing.
What are we celebrating?
We make all things new again.
[Aaron] No.
[Crew Member] You
looked right at the camera.
Oh, I'm sorry.
[Crew Member] Back to one.
No, we don't.
What do we say?
[Crew Member] (indistinct)
and we cut around it.
Revelations 21:5.
[Crew Member] You
looked right at the camera.
[Judy] Oh, I did not.
[Crew Member] Back to the belly.
Here's a little something to celebrate.
[Reverend Howard] That looks amazing.
Happy.
[Reverend Howard] What are we.
[Crew Member] One more.
[Aaron] You gotta wait for me.
Yeah. Okay.
I know I have a line
that's after his line.
I'm gonna put that
cake in his face, okay?
Revelations 22:5,
"Behold, I make all things new again."
[Crew Member] 21:5.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Shall we do that again?
Come on now, I'm with you.
How picky can I be?
You're gonna get it now.
Ooh!
[Crew Member] We lost Kaylie?
[Crew Member] We lost a mic there.
- [Crew Member] Is she okay?
- [Kaylie] Yeah!
- [Crew Member] Is she okay?
- [Kaylie] Yeah.
[Crew Member] Are you good?
[Crew Member] We lost an actress there.
(uplifting music)
You hold me
Under the water
Oh, I feel
Like I'm struggling to breathe
But when I come back up
To the surface
Lord, I know
It's You surrounding me
(uplifting music continues)
(uplifting music ends)