Overcomer

by Chris Fabry

  Danielle took her report card into the kitchen, and Elizabeth was alone again. The odor hadn’t been a problem until a few years earlier, and the foot powder seemed to take care of it. But maybe she was kidding herself. Maybe the odor was the sign of some deeper problem.

  What was she thinking? Some disease? Some problem with her liver that leaked out the pores of her feet? She had a friend, Missy, who was constantly looking online at various aches and pains and connecting them with her own symptoms. One day she’d be worried about a skin problem and conclude she had melanoma. The next day a headache would be self-diagnosed as a tumor. Elizabeth vowed she would not become a hypochondriac. She just had stinky feet.

  She picked up one of her flats and sniffed. There’d been a cheese served at the hotel where she and Tony had honeymooned that smelled just like that. She dropped the shoe. Funny how a smell could trigger her brain to think about something that happened sixteen years earlier.

  She ran her hand over the comforter and thought about that first night together. All the anticipation. All the excitement. She hadn’t slept in two days and the wedding had been a blur. When her head hit the pillow in the honeymoon suite, she was just gone. Tony had been upset, and what red-blooded American male wouldn’t be? But what red-blooded American females needed was a little understanding, a little grace.

  She had made up for her honeymoon drowsiness the next day, but it was something they had to talk through. Tony had talked a lot in the year they had dated and been engaged, but not long after the I dos, something got his tongue and the river of words slowed to a drip. She wished she could find the valve or tell where to place the plunger to get him unclogged.

  They didn’t have a bad marriage. It wasn’t like those celebrities on TV who went from one relationship to the next or the couple down the street who threw things onto the lawn after every argument. She and Tony had produced a beautiful daughter and they had stable careers. Yes, he was a little aloof and they’d grown apart, but she was sure that drift wouldn’t last forever. It couldn’t.

  Elizabeth put her shoes away, as far back into the closet as she could, then went to the kitchen to start dinner. She filled a pot with water, put it on the stove, and dumped in the spaghetti. The water came to a slow boil, and she stirred the tomato sauce in a pan next to it.

  Elizabeth watched the spaghetti, feeling something happening, something boiling inside her. A stirring she couldn’t put her finger on. Call it restlessness or longing. Call it fear. Maybe this was all she could hope for. Maybe this was as good as marriage got. Or life, for that matter. Maybe they were destined to go separate ways and occasionally meet in the middle. But she had a nagging feeling that she was missing something. That their marriage could be more than two people with a nice house who rarely spent time together.

  Elizabeth was busy with the salad and Danielle was putting napkins next to each plate at the table when the garage door began its hideous sound—a clacking that had gotten louder in the past year. If Elizabeth had been trying to sell their own house, she’d have suggested they get it looked at by her garage door guy. But Tony was content to let it clack and clamor.

  Like their marriage.

  “I just heard him pull in, Danielle.”

  “Will he be mad about my C?” Danielle said. The look in her eyes made Elizabeth wonder. She wanted to march out to the garage and tell Tony to affirm their daughter, say something positive, look at how full the glass was and not see the one little thing that was less than perfect.

  “I already told you, baby. Getting a C is not that bad. It’s okay.”

  She said it to convince not just Danielle, but also herself. Because she knew her husband wouldn’t feel the same.

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  Movie Artwork AFFIRM Films A Sony Company © 2019 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  Coach John Harrison (Alex Kendrick) teaches history at Brookshire High School.

  John Harrison plays ball with his son Ethan (Jack Sterner).

  A town crisis has left Principal Olivia Brooks (Priscilla Shirer) facing many challenges at Brookshire High School.

  Principal Brooks reaches out to a struggling Brookshire student.

  Hannah Scott (Aryn Wright-Thompson) waits on the bleachers to meet her new cross-country coach.

  John Harrison unexpectedly meets a new friend, Thomas Hill (Cameron Arnett), during a visit to the hospital.

  John and Amy Harrison (Shari Rigby) take time to pray with their kids, Ethan and Will (Caleb Kendrick).

  Principal Olivia Brooks, John, and Amy Harrison discuss the idea of revealing a big secret to one of their students.

  John Harrison coaches Hannah before cross-country practice.

  Barbara Scott (Denise Armstrong) struggles to keep her granddaughter, Hannah, out of trouble.

  Hannah Scott prays with Principal Olivia Brooks.

  While reading from Ephesians, Hannah lists everything the passage says she is as a new believer in Christ.

  John and Amy turn to God to help their family through a difficult time.

  Coach Harrison, Amy Harrison, and Hannah Scott talk strategy before a cross-country meet.

  John and Amy watch for Hannah at the finish line.

  Brookshire runner Hannah Scott competes against all odds in the state championship cross-country meet.

  Olivia Brooks cheers for Brookshire at the state championship.

  Principal Brooks shows her support for Hannah.

  Barbara Scott and her granddaughter, Hannah, make amends after years of struggling to understand each other.

  Movie Artwork AFFIRM Films A Sony Company © 2019 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  Overcomer was filmed at Brookstone School in Columbus, Georgia.

  Alex Kendrick’s real-life son Caleb Kendrick plays his on-screen son Will Harrison.

  The Harrison family from the Overcomer movie: Ethan (Jack Sterner), Amy (Shari Rigby), John (Alex Kendrick), and Will (Caleb Kendrick).

  Brothers Stephen (producer/writer) and Alex Kendrick (director/writer) record a behind-the-scenes interview on the set of Overcomer.

  Director Alex Kendrick discusses a scene with actor Cameron Arnett (Thomas Hill).

  Director Alex Kendrick gives notes to actors Priscilla Shirer (Principal Brooks) and Aryn Wright-Thompson (Hannah).

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thanks to Alex and Stephen for permission to unveil a little more about Barbara, Hannah, John, and Thomas. For Brenda Harris, your prayers and encouragement are invaluable. Janet Dapper, you helped make this a better book with your observations and questions. Thanks to Karen Watson, Jan Stob, Caleb Sjogren, and Erin Smith at Tyndale for your commitment to telling great stories. And thanks to God for Your grace and mercy, for bringing us together, and for the power to overcome.

  Chris Fabry

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

  Chris’s novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and The Promise of Jesse Woods, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Awards of Merit from Christianity Today. His eightieth published book, Under a Cloudless Sky, is a novel set in the coalfields of his home state of West Virginia. His books include movie novelizations, like the bestseller War Room; nonfiction; and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and the Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. Visit his website at www.chrisfabry.com.

  Alex Kendrick is an award-winning author gifted at telling stories of hope and redemption. He is b
est known as an actor, writer, and director of the films Overcomer, War Room, Courageous, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants and coauthor of the New York Times bestselling books The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, and The Battle Plan for Prayer. Alex has received more than thirty awards for his work, including best screenplay, best production, and best feature film. Alex has spoken to churches, universities, and conferences all across America and in other countries. He has been featured on FOX News, CNN, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, Time magazine, and many other media outlets. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and attended seminary before being ordained into ministry. Alex and his wife, Christina, live in Albany, Georgia, with their six children. They are active members of Sherwood Church.

  Stephen Kendrick is a speaker, film producer, and author with a ministry passion for prayer and discipleship. He is a cowriter and producer of the movies Overcomer, War Room, Courageous, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants and cowriter of the New York Times bestsellers The Battle Plan for Prayer, The Resolution for Men, and The Love Dare. The Love Dare quickly became a number one New York Times bestseller and stayed on the list for more than two years. Stephen has spoken at churches, conferences, and seminars around the nation and has been interviewed by Fox & Friends, CNN, ABC World News Tonight, the Washington Post, and other media outlets. He is a cofounder and board member of the Fatherhood Commission. He graduated from Kennesaw State University and attended seminary before being ordained into ministry. Stephen and his wife, Jill, live in Albany, Georgia, where they homeschool their six children. They are active members of Sherwood Church in Albany.

  www.kendrickbrothers.com

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  John Harrison’s basketball team is on the road to success, but because of circumstances he can’t control, his life and team take a detour. Have you experienced a similar disappointment? How did you respond?

  When Hannah prepares to attend Brookshire, she’s certain she won’t fit in, thinking Christians look down on those who don’t follow a list of rules. How true would you say Hannah’s assessment is?

  In chapter 15, Amy has every right to be upset with John, but rather than being angry, she assures him of her love. What happens as a result? When conflict comes, how do you generally respond? Have you ever been treated the way Amy treated John?

  Thomas asks John, “Who are you?” He’s getting to John’s core identity. John says he’s a coach, a history teacher, husband, father, etc. How did John’s identity change throughout the story? Why? If you were asked the same question now, how would you respond?

  After discussing Hannah’s situation with Olivia Brooks, the Harrisons decide not to consult Barbara, Hannah’s grandmother, about introducing Hannah to her father. Did they make the right choice? Have you ever been forced to make a similar choice about whether or not to bring someone into a decision? What happened?

  When Mrs. Brooks talks with Hannah about her relationship with God, Hannah is ready to listen and respond. Why do you think she is open at this point in her life?

  Reread Hannah’s proclamation in chapter 31 about who she is. Which of her statements do you find most powerful? Which do you find hardest to believe about you?

  In chapter 37, Barbara thinks, “It was one thing to believe God could forgive a sinner. It was another thing to believe that the sinner could live forgiven.” Who is the person hardest to forgive in your life? Is it difficult for you to “live forgiven”?

  With her father’s voice to guide her, Hannah runs in the state championship. How would her story have changed if she hadn’t medaled or even finished the race? How does your performance affect your identity? How should it?

  What physical, emotional, and spiritual obstacles do the characters in this novel overcome? John? Hannah? Thomas? Barbara? Ethan? Amy?

  Are there people in your life who need a mentor? How might you begin such a relationship?

  If you could reconnect with one person from your past, who would it be? What would you want to change about your relationship?

  The title Overcomer comes from a Bible verse: “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). In your own life, is there anything you need to overcome?

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