Transcripts: Apply Bible Principles

Transcript: Preparing for Marriage—Part 1: Am I Ready to Date?—Excerpt
[In a high school gym the students play basketball. From a bench one girl with long dark hair gazes at a player as he runs by, he knocks the ball out of balance. She picks it up and gives it to the handsome young man]
Lily: Uhh, yours?
Sean: Yeah. Thanks. You’re Lily, right?
Lily: Yeah. And you’re Sean.
Sean: Yeah. I’ve seen you around. You play good basketball.
Lily: Thanks. So do you.
Sean: So you want to hang out sometime?
Lily: Sure.
[The girl sits alone on the bench shifting uncomfortably]
Lily: My name is Lily and I sorta had this problem.
[As other students leave she gets up]
There’s a boy named Sean that recently moved to our school.
[Lily walks slowly]
I know I’m not supposed to like anyone who is not a Witness.
[Looking down she sighs]
The trouble was, he is a Witness.
[At the Kingdom Hall]
Sean and his family moved into our congregation.
[He gives a talk]
And the more I saw of him, the more I liked him.
“My strength is exhausted because of my sighing. “If only I knew where to find God! I would go to his place of dwelling. I would present my . . .”
[With pursed lips Lily’s mom watches her gazing adoringly at Sean. After the meeting in an auxiliary room Lily cleans the window. She looks out to the auditorium, her dad catches sight of her dreamy eyed watching Sean. Lily notices her dad is watching and her smile fades. She drops her head and keeps cleaning]
Like I said, “I had a problem.”
[Later at home Lily sits on her bed she looks up pensively]
Every day I see couples my age at school.
[In a crowded school hallway]
To me, they look happy.
[Lily glances back at a smiling couple with arms around each other]
Honestly, I wanted that happiness too.
[In her bedroom Lily’s mom gestures whilst speaking with her husband]
My parents noticed my problem too and talked about it that night.
[Sitting on the bed they hold hands as Lily’s dad prays]
And pretty soon I didn’t feel alone anymore. The next day, my mom invited me to go with her to run an errand. Afterward, we went to a little café. She asked me how things were going. At first, I didn’t want to tell her, but she made me feel really comfortable. So I told her my feelings for Sean, expecting her to think bad of me. But she didn’t.
(Lily reminisces)
Lily’s mom: Everything you’re feeling is natural, Lily. I remember having these same feelings when I was your age too.
Lily: Really?
Lily’s mom: It’s true. That’s just how Jehovah created us, honey. And because he created us, he knows the best way for us to be happy. And that’s all he wants for us. And that’s all Daddy and I want for you too.
[Lily smiles]
Lily: She didn’t scold me; she didn’t make me feel embarrassed. And most important, she didn’t seem to be in a rush.
[Her dad reads his Bible in his truck]
My mom wasn’t the only one helping me. My dad was preparing to help me with my problem too. That evening, we had family worship. And once again, they just let me talk. They told me I didn’t have to hold back, so I didn’t. I just don’t know what to do. Lily’s dad: Lily, thank you for telling us how you feel. Let me ask you something: Why do you think Jehovah created us with these natural feelings toward the opposite sex?
Lily: So that one day a man and woman could marry.
Lily’s dad: That’s right! In fact, a good marriage is like two skaters on the ice.
[A couple skating]
A beautiful performance can seem effortless, but is it really?
Lily: No
Lily’s dad: No one would even attempt that without practice, a capable partner, or the right kind of guidance. Right?
Lily: Yeah.
Lily’s dad: Well, it’s the same with a good marriage, sweetie. It doesn’t just happen. It too depends on a good partner,
[He taps his wife’s arm]
coordinated effort, but most important, wise counsel from Jehovah. In fact, could you please turn with me to Psalm 32:8 and read that for us?
Lily: Sure. It says: “I will give you insight “and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give you advice with my eye upon you.”
Lily’s dad: Lily, Jehovah loves us very much. And if we listen to him, we’ll make good decisions in our life with absolutely no regrets.
Lily: We talked some more, and then I got some homework. My dad gave me some articles he printed out for me to read, so I did.
[Lily reads at her desk]
And as I read the words and started meditating on them, I realized something.
[She peers into her Bible]
By holding off dating a little longer, I wasn’t missing out.
[She conducts a Bible study then does telephone witnessing with a sister]
Rather, I was preparing myself. I could use the time now to focus on something much more important —my relationship with Jehovah.
[She prays in bed]
I could also gain Christian qualities and experience that will help me later if I ever do get married.
[On the couch Lily watches the Best Life Ever video, she glances at her parents and smiles]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG in a white box. Copyright 2016 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)