Director's Notes: How is it that we allow ourselves to get caught up in other stuff that just pulls us away from the joy of our salvation? This drama shows that the most dangerous thing Satan can do to us is slowly and subtly encourage apathy and put stuff in our lives,that just doesn't matter. Another unfortunate thing here is how the, husband seems resigned to his wife's spiritual condition...
The good thing about this drama is that it can also be used on Easter (or the week before as in this case) as a wake-up call.
By the way, you may notice my homage to 'A Christmas Story' in here. Yeah, it's intentional :)
Cast:
Susan: A woman who has forgotten her First Love
Jerry: Susan's husband
Props:
A bunny costume (the goofier, the better)
A camera
A chair
Setting:
The living room
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE with Susan shouting toward the back of the worship center)
Susan: Jerry? Jerry? Come on in here honey!
Jerry: (from off stage) No.
Susan: Come on! I spent 6 weeks making it! Come on!
Jerry: (from off stage) I don’t want to.
Susan: Jerry Taylor, you come in here right now!
Jerry: (opens door and enters very slowly. Jerry is dressed in a ridiculous-looking bunny costume. He works his way slowly up to the stage, looking depressed as he goes. Susan, on the other hand, has her hands over her mouth, stifling the glee she feels over her creation.)
Susan: Oh, that is just precious!
Jerry: Deranged is more like it.
Susan: (ignoring him) I think this is about the cutest thing I have every seen!
Jerry: Um, perhaps you didn’t hear me.
Susan: Oh, I heard you all right. You look great. I can’t wait until next Saturday when the kids see you at the Easter egg hunt.
Jerry: (dead pan) Yeah. Me too. Can’t wait.
Susan: Oh stop it. (suddenly a thought strikes her) I’ve got to get the camera.
Jerry: Lovely.
Susan: Don’t move a muscle. (She runs off stage)
Jerry: Wouldn’t dream of it.
Jerry: (Turns to the audience) Okay, so I look ridiculous. So what, right? To be honest, I don’t mind doing this all that much. I mean, I know I’ll catch some heat for it from the guys but she’s worth it, you know? I only put on the sour face because A) After 12 years, she expects it and B) I’ll be able to buy that DVD player I want without much of a struggle.
Jerry: Anyway, she did spend 6 weeks making the beast and she really doesn’t ask for much. It’s always around the big 3 holidays that she seems to go all out and really do stuff. (starts counting on his fingers) On Thanksgiving she invites 30 of our “closest” (does the quotes thing) family and friends and spends 5 days in the kitchen making the perfect meal. On Christmas, she personally does all the shopping, puts up every light and lawn ornament known to man, and wraps every gift. Then, there’s
Easter. Egg hunts,egg coloring, baskets everywhere, you name it.
Jerry: (sits down) The sad part, though, is that it wasn’t always this way. I mean, don’t get me wrong, none of this stuff is bad but the emphasis has changed. When we first got married and had kids, each of these holidays was about God. On Thanksgiving, we went to a service devoted to thanking God for the good things He’s done. On Christmas, we gathered around the fire and read the Christmas story before the kids went nuts on the presents. And on Easter, it was about celebrating God’s grace towards us.
Jerry: For some reason, she slowly forgot about those things. It didn’t happen all at once. Things just kind of got in the way. Not really bad things but just… things. Distracting things. Soon, before we knew it, the values she treasured were replaced by this (pulls on costume) stuff. You might ask why I don’t bring it up to her? Well, I have and it just causes us to get in a fight and well, there you go. Anyway, here she comes. I better act miserable. DVD player. You understand (winks)...
Susan: (comes running back up) Okay, I found it. Strike a pose.
Jerry: What?
Susan: You know, strike a pose!
Jerry: (heavy sigh as he strikes a sour pose.)
Susan: Come on. Smile! (She snaps a couple of pictures)
Jerry: Okay. Enough. Can I take this thing off now?
Susan: Sure. Right after the neighbors see it. (shouts) Come on in you guys!
Jerry: (Head snaps to the audience and his eyes get wide!)
(LIGHTS OUT FAST)
END
Experiencing Worship, The Study