Waiting for the Telephone Call

Virginia Schuchholz

The new repertory company for children's theater had brought summer excitement to Danville. Auditions for their production of the play You're A Good Man Charlie Brown had been held. Now the children were waiting for the director's call to tell them who had been chosen for a part.

David was waiting, too.

All day Friday he waited for the telephone call. It didn't come. Saturday passed. No call. By Saturday night David had just about given up.

"Mom," he said, disappointment showing in his voice, "the director said she would call, but she hasn't. Maybe I didn't get a part in the play."

"I know it's hard to be patient, David, but so many children auditioned, and the director has to call all of them."

"I know," agreed David, "but I'd really like a part. I hope she calls soon."

His mother had a thought: "Here's a chance to apply what you know of Christian Science. Why don't you talk this over with your Sunday School teacher tomorrow?"

When the teacher heard about the play, he decided to talk about plays in class. They were very interested in what it meant to be part of a play. How would a player best do his part?

They knew about the rule of loving that Christ Jesus gave us, called the Golden Rule. It's found in the book of Matthew in the Bible (Chap. 7, v. 12): "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."

The pupils knew that God is Love, and the teacher asked them to write down ways to express Love. It was easy. Some that they wrote were helpfulness and thoughtfulness, joy and kindness.

When the lists were completed, the teacher explained, "These are really true of all God's children, all of the time."

Everyone took his list home with him as a reminder. Even though they might not be in a play, as God's image and likeness they had an important part to play in everyday life. Nothing could keep them from expressing good qualities. As Mrs. Eddy says, "The devotion of thought to an honest achievement makes the achievement possible."^{Science and Health, p. 199.}

David stopped being concerned about getting a part in the Charlie Brown play. Just knowing God was loving him and blessing him—and everyone—made him feel good. On the way home from Sunday School he happily began making new plans. He told his mother that maybe he and his friends would give a play of their own.

That night the telephone rang, and David's mother answered it.

It was the director calling. She said: "I want David to be in the show. Will he play the part of Charlie Brown?"

She went on, "I was impressed with David's cheerful, cooperative attitude the other day at the tryouts. I'm sure he can memorize all the songs and lines."

David's mother gave him the happy message. She and David were glad he'd gotten the part. But what's more important, they were grateful that Love's qualities had been recognized.

David was so pleased that he didn't care which part he played. He started to run around the house, saying excitedly: "Where's that telephone number? I have to call my Sunday School teacher right away and tell him!"

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The Basis for Forgiveness

April 9, 1977

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