Leap of Faith

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#388: “Leap of Faith”
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30: Through Thick and Thin
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Proverbs 3:5-6

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

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“Leap of Faith” is episode #388 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Bill Myers, and originally aired on January 10, 1998.

Summary

The Mulligan family and their animals are threatened when heavy rains wash away a levy upriver from their farm.

Plot

Believing in what we can't see can be tough. Whit warns the Mulligan family their farm is in danger of flooding if the nearby levee breaks because of the increased rainfall. While Mike Mulligan and Nick, one of their foster children, begin to sandbag their house, Nick questions how Mike can still trust God after so many things have gone wrong, including the possible flood. Mike explains that bad things often happen because of man's sinful nature. God will not violate our free will, but desires that we trust him as his child.

With the water continuing to rise, the family prays and then decides to herd their animals to a nearby high hill to wait out the storm. On their way up the hill, Jessica chases her pet mountain goat, Samson, back down the hill just as the levee breaks. Mike and Nick rush after her and locate her stranded on the other side of the raging river. Mike can only wade halfway across without being swept away, and encourages Jessica to trust him and meet him halfway. She is doubting and fearful, but Nick uses the analogy of her loving and rescuing Samson to Mike's attempt to rescue her. She fearfully jumps in the water and is swept downstream. Mike dives in to catch her and together they grasp a tree limb and climb to safety through the rushing water. The next morning, Nick confesses that because of Mike's example, he now understands God's love better and desires to know more.

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Discussion Questions

  1. How did Mike Mulligan explain his trust in a God he couldn't see?
  2. What was the parallel Nick used between Jessica and her goat and Mr. Mulligan?
  3. What are other ways that people put their trust in God?

Cast

Heard in episode

Role Voice Actor
Janelle Mulligan Myeisha Phillips
Jessica Mulligan Myeisha Phillips
Lisa Mulligan Nicole Myers
Mike Mulligan Bill Myers
Nick Mulligan Chris Castile
Traci Mulligan Vaughn Taylor

Mentioned in episode

Character Mentioned By
John Whittaker Mike Mulligan


Notes

Trivia
  • This episode marks the beginning of Nick's spiritual journey.
  • A condensed version of this episode, written from Nick's point of view, was published in Focus on the Family's Clubhouse magazine.
Goofs
  • Mike makes a major placement reference in this episode when he mentions that their home is near I-40. In #377: “Just Say Yes”, he mentions that their home is near Route 40; though he could be using the terms interchangeably, they are two separate East/West highways that stretch across the majority of the continental US. The roads are not close enough at place on the map to reasonably assume their home lies in between them and that they use both.

Quotes

Traci Mulligan: Well, Winona, it looks like it's just you and me, girl. Oh sure, come on up. Oh, and pass the mashed potatoes, will you please. No, no—oh. Actually, I was hoping you'd pass them in the bowl. N-no, I'll get the gravy myself. No, really, but thanks.


Nick Mulligan: You know, that's something I've been wanting to ask you and Traci. Ever since I moved in, all I've been hearing is God this and God that.
Mike Mulligan: Is that a problem?
Nick Mulligan: No. Not really. I think it's kind of...you know. Quaint.


Nick Mulligan: You did say you were forty-two, didn't you?
Mike Mulligan: Right, and if you're not careful it's gonna happen to you someday.
Nick Mulligan: Boy, I hope not.


Lisa Mulligan: Well, Jessica. You're right about one thing. It's true. I really am privileged. I have one major advantage over you.
Jessica: Yeah, and what's that?
Lisa Mulligan: I'm blind. And blind people don't see color too well. Not even when it comes to somebody's skin.


Nick Mulligan: Jess, listen to me. You love Samson, and you wouldn't let anything happen to him. Would you? I mean, that's why you took after him in the first place, right? Well, Mike loves you the same, even more. You love that goat so much that you risked your life to save him. That's what Mike's doin' for you. Look at him, Jess. Look at how he's risking his life for you. Come on now, Jess; come on!