The Miracle
By Kara Martincic
CHARACTERS:
FAMILY ONE
Father: Hunter
Mother: Bethany
Oldest child: 8-year-old Sarah
2nd Child: 7-year-old Melissa
3rd Child: 6-year-old Daniel
4th Child: 4-year-old Chandler
FAMILY TWO
Father: James
Mother: Nicole
Oldest child: 7-year-old Tina
2nd Child: 4-year-old Brian
FAMILY THREE
Father: Sam
Mother: Elizabeth
Oldest child: 9-year-old Zach
2nd child: 7-year-old Jamie
3rd child: 5-year-old Faith
INTRODUCTION
[enters ANNOUNCER in front of curtain]
ANNOUNCER: Good evening everyone. [smiles] Tonight we are doing a rather modern play of three believing families. They are like many homes today, but they make a remarkable change. I hope you will enjoy and be inspired by THE MIRACLE. [leaves stage]
[music plays]
[kitchen & living room setup; ZACH, JAMIE, and FAITH are playing “house” in the living room setup, while ELIZABETH is in the kitchen set up at the stove, and SAM is in the kitchen, pacing the floor]
[ANNOUNCER announces titles through a mic]
HOME ONE
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
SAM: [pacing the floor] Elizabeth, will you hurry?
[says impatiently; stops and looks at her by the stove] I have to get to
work!!
ELIZABETH: [sighs] Sam, will you just be patient this once, for
goodness’ sake? I didn’t have to make breakfast. You always get on me
because I don’t make it, and now when I do you scrap about me not being fast
enough!
SAM: [sighs heavily, rolls eyes, and turns, walking away toward the living room]
JAMIE: [playing with Faith] Will you hurry, Faith? I have to get to work!
SAM: [stops at the doorway and puts his hand over his mouth]
FAITH: [pretends to be cooking] Will you just be pa—
ZACH: [puts his finger to his lips] Shhh, you two. Daddy and Mommy might hear you.
FAITH: I wonder why Mommy and Daddy always fight.
ZACH: Shh!
SAM: [walks into the kitchen and sighs heavily again.]
ELIZABETH: [gives SAM a plate] Go ahead and dish yourself up. I have to go upstairs and clean the bathroom. [walks to the doorway] And you can go ahead and feed the kids too. They’ll need to go for school in about fifteen minutes. [walks out of scene through a doorway in the living room]
SAM: [sighs; mutters, rolling his eyes] Whatever, Elizabeth.
[soft music begins & lights are turned off]
[SARAH, MELISSA, DANIEL, and CHANDLER are playing on the kitchen floor with a lego set and all other actors/actresses leave with their props (i.e. books and crayons). BETHANY is in the living room setup, going to the door when the lights come on]
HOME TWO
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
BETHANY: [opens the door to the outside] Hunter!! Are you going to come in for breakfast!
HUNTER: [shouts over his shoulder] Yeah I’ll be
there in a minute!
BETHANY: Okay! [shuts the door with a sigh, and mutters to Sarah] I
wonder why your dad spends all day out there. He never needs to, and it takes time
away from everyone.
SARAH: [runs and hugs BETHANY] It’s okay, Mommy. I know you work hard. Daddy makes it hard sometimes.
BETHANY: [looks at SARAH quizzically] Sarah, I’m sorry, your daddy is better than that. He does a good job he’s just…busy.
SARAH: And he never has time for us. [sighs]
BETHANY: He tries
MELISSA: [walks over] If he did then why does he spend all day in the barn?
VICTOR: Why does Daddy stay in the barn?
BETHANY: [struggles for words] Kids…just don’t…worry about Daddy. [starts to walk away, pushing Sarah off] I have to set the table. Girls, boys, clean this toy room up and come to the table for breakfast.
[soft, sad music begins & lights are turned off]
[kids clean up the toys; a Bible is now on the coffee table; NICOLE and JAMES are in the kitchen]
HOME THREE
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
NICOLE: [hands a note to JAMES] James, give that to Renee while you’re at work, will you? Oh, and here’s my grocery list. [snatches a long paper off the table and gives it to JAMES]
JAMES: [sighs and takes the papers] I’ll try to remember, Nicole.
NICOLE: Okay [smiles] have a good day at the restaurant.
JAMES: I’ll try.
[exits JAMES through back exit]
NICOLE: [looks around the kitchen; mutters] I wonder why James always acts sooo strained. I always do my best to remind him and everything.
[enters TINA through living room entrance]
TINA: Mommy, why do you always give Daddy millions of things to do?
NICOLE: [looks startled] What do you mean, Tina?
TINA: I mean every time he goes to work you give him allllllll these papers and things.
NICOLE: That’s because I need them. Anyway, Tina, go back to the school room and do your reading.
TINA: I’m done.
NICOLE: Well start on your English then. I have to clean the kitchen.
TINA: [walks away, muttering] You always have stuff to do.
NICOLE: [turns on her heel, with an angry look]
Tina, what did you just say?
TINA: I said you always have stuff to do.
NICOLE: Don’t talk to me that way. Go do your school!
TINA: [sighs]
[exits TINA]
[soft, sad music begins & lights are turned off; NICOLE leaves scene]
REVELATION
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[enters BETHANY]
BETHANY: [walks over and picks up the bible off the coffee table, flopping down in an easy chair. She casually flips open the Bible to Malachi 4:6.] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
BETHANY: [jerks back, with a shocked expression, stares at the wall, then leans down with an intense face and reads it intently, aloud] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. [Then she sits there and thinks.] Strike the earth with a curse…wow. [puts her finger to her chin, thinking]
BETHANY: Let me try that again… [shuts the Bible, then it flips open to Titus 2:3-5] The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of Yahweh may not be blasphemed. [gasps] Homemakers! Obedient to their husbands!
BETHANY: Let me try again… [shuts the Bible and it flips open to Ephesians 5:22-24] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Master. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Messiah is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Messiah, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. [gasps again] No way! Wow, I…wow. I have a lot to do! [has a worried expression] I know I’ve read every single one of those scriptures before but….they’ve never stuck out to me like that!! Oh, wow.
BETHANY: [gets on her knees to pray] Oh Yahweh, [starts to cry, then turns and bows down, facing the audience] Yahweh please forgive me for not being the wife I should be. Help me to be more supportive to Hunter, and to not yell and snap as much. Help me to be quiet and not put my husband down in front of my children. Please, Father, give me strength to submit, and help me lift up my husband in front of my kids. Yahweh, lead and guide me in your will. Help me, Father. I want to be the mother and help-meet you want me to be, and you command me to be. Thank you, Father. In Yahushua’s name, Amein. [lays there for a moment, then gets up with a smile on her face.] I have to call Nicole and Elizabeth!
[exits BETHANY]
[fast, happy music begins & lights are turned off]
THE TEST
[sound of a door slamming shut]
[enters HUNTER]
HUNTER: [flops into the loveseat and sighs, picking up a newspaper]
[enters BETHANY]
BETHANY: Hey, Hunter. [smiles]
HUNTER: [glances up, then looks back at the paper] Hey.
BETHANY: Want something to drink?
HUNTER: [glances up with a quizzical expression] Um, sure.
BETHANY: [smiles] Okay!
[exits BETHANY, but she soon returns with a glass of water]
BETHANY: Here you go, Hunter, [hands him the glass and smiles]
HUNTER: [gives BETHANY a strange look] Thanks. [takes the glass and takes a sip]
[BETHANY sits down on the couch and starts sewing.]
[enters SARAH, MELISSA, and DANIEL]
BETHANY: Hey, kids. Guess what time it is! [sets sewing aside and smiles, getting up]
DANIEL: Bedtime?
BETHANY: That’s right! Where’s Chandler?
HUNTER: [looks up and watches]
MELISSA: [giggles] He fell asleep in the kitchen.
BETHANY: [has a surprised expression and runs toward the kitchen, then stops and looks at the children] On the floor?!
SARAH, MELISSA, & DANIEL: Yes!
[exits BETHANY, SARAH, MELISSA, and DANIEL]
HUNTER: [shakes his head and mutters] What’s gotten into Bethany? She’s…changed! Maybe it’s just for tonight… [looks at his watch] I’d better go to bed myself, I have to get up and milk cows in the morning. [gets up and lays the paper down, stretching.]
[exits HUNTER]
[soft, casual music begins and the lights dim]
THE VISIT
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[enters BETHANY, ELIZABETH, and NICOLE]
BETHANY: [sits down on the couch and takes Bible off the table] See, I wanted to show you two what I found,
ELIZABETH: [sits down at BETHANY’s right] Okay,
NICOLE: [sits down at BETHANY’s left]
BETHANY: Okay, [flips it to Malachi 4:6] I wonder if you all have noticed this scripture before. [turns to the Bible and reads] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
NICOLE: [looks shocked and then turns, reaching for the Bible] Let me see that for myself, [reads] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. [sits up with wide eyes and looks at BETHANY] Whoa! A curse!
ELIZABETH: [watches critically; seems unaffected]
BETHANY: [nods] I know! Now look at these verses, over in the New Testament. [flips to Titus 2:3-5] The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of Yahweh may not be blasphemed.
NICOLE: [gasps and looks even more surprised] Okay, okay, go on…you said there was one more?
BETHANY: [nods and smiles] Yes, one more. [turns to Ephesians 5:22-24] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Master. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Messiah is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Messiah, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
NICOLE: [stares at BETHANY] Wow, I’ve been sooo wrong!
BETHANY: So have I. I nearly fell over in shock when I read those! It was like one after another, boom, boom, boom! And I was like, WHOA! [kind of laughs]
NICOLE: [still stares] Well, that’s kinda what I’m like right now! [kind of laughs]
ELIZABETH: I don’t see anything than I haven’t already seen.
BETHANY: [closes her eyes and prays, moving her lips]
NICOLE: [stares at ELIZABETH] What?! You must be
blind, sister! I know I’ve read those scriptures before but…
ELIZABETH: I submit to my husband; I stay at home and take care of the kids.
BETHANY: [opens her eyes] So you think you’re already doing it?
ELIZABETH: Of course.
[Silence for a few minutes]
ELIZABETH: [looks at her watch and picks up her purse] I have to go.
[exits ELIZABETH]
[BETHANY and NICOLE stare at each other.]
BETHANY: Well, Sis, I guess the only thing we can really do is pray.
NICOLE: Good idea.
[NICOLE and BETHANY get down on their knees and tears are in their eyes]
BETHANY: Dear Father, I pray that you will touch Elizabeth’s heart right now. It seems to me that she might be fighting conviction. Father, convict her, please, show her where she needs to change.
NICOLE: And Father, I pray that you will guide Elizabeth to see the truth in these scriptures, the importance, and the priority our families really are. Yahweh please help Bethany and I as we take this new step, and submit to you and our husbands.
BETHANY: Father, please give us strength; help us to be the wives and mothers you want us to be.
BETHANY & NICOLE: in Yahushua’s name, Amein.
[NICOLE & BETHANY sit up and look at each other, stand to their feet and smile, then hug each other]
[soft, casual music begins and the lights dim; all exit]
STRESS AND SORROW
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[door slams and enters SAM, with an upset expression]
SAM: Elizabeth! Elizabeth, come here!
[ELIZABETH calls from another room]
ELIZABETH: Coming!
[enters ELIZABETH, flustered and frustrated]
ELIZABETH: What?!
SAM: I need you to get out here and help the kids! The wind is blowing away our tables and chairs out on the deck and we need to get them inside!
ELIZABETH: I have to get my plants!
SAM: Who cares about your stupid plants! Come out!
[exits SAM]
ELIZABETH: That…Oh! I can’t stand him. I’m still going to get my plants on the back porch.
[exits ELIZABETH through back exit]
[lights dim, and soft music begins, then quickly pauses and the lights turn back on]
[enters ZACH through kitchen]
ZACH: I wonder why Mom always disobeys Dad.
[enters ELIZABETH through living room]
ZACH: [sighs]
[ELIZABETH stops in living room]
[enters JAMIE and FAITH through kitchen, both looking disturbed and worn-out]
JAMIE: [breathless] That wind!
FAITH: It was horrible! [breathless] And then Mommy has to go out there
and make Dad mad. [sighs]
JAMIE: I know!
FAITH: Daddy is never home and Mommy is always busy!
ZACH: Yeah, they used to spend time with us when we were little. I wonder what happened.
JAMIE: Me too.
ELIZABETH: [gasps silently and looks troubled, tears coming to her eyes.]
[exits ELIZABETH]
[enters SAM through living room]
SAM: Kids!
ZACH, JAMIE, & FAITH: Yeah!
SAM: C’mere! I need you guys to put the chairs in the house, not
just in the screen room!
ZACH, JAMIE, & FAITH: Okay,
ZACH: [sighs]
[exits SAM, ZACH, JAMIE, & FAITH]
[soft, casual music begins and the lights dim]
JOYFUL REALIZATION
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[enters ELIZABETH through living room]
ELIZABETH: [grabs cordless phone off the kitchen table and paces back and forth, dialing a number.] Hello? Bethany? Hey, can you please come over, you and Nicole? I really need to talk to you!..Okay, thanks. Bye! [hangs up, and sits down on the couch, acting agitated]
ELIZABETH: Why didn’t I see it before? How could I have been so blind? I’m not the mother and wife I should be!
[enters NICOLE and BETHANY]
BETHANY: Shalom, sis, [smiles]
NICOLE: Shalom, Elizabeth. [goes over and hugs her]
BETHANY: [hugs ELIZABETH too] what’s up?
ELIZABETH: [buries her face in her hands and starts to cry] It’s…well, I just realized it!
NICOLE: [puts an arm around ELIZABETH] Realized?
ELIZABETH: That I’m not the wife and mom I should be! I yell at, argue, and disobey my husband, I neglect and ignore my children…I don’t even school them! I was just full of pride last week when you called me over, Bethany. That’s why I acted so arrogant. I’m so sorry..
BETHANY: [hugs ELIZABETH again] It’s okay, sister. I’m not perfect either.
ELIZABETH: [looks up] Could you read those verses again?
BETHANY: [smiles] Sure. [picks up a Bible off the coffee table and turns to Malachi 4:6] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. [turns to Titus 2:3-5] The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of Yahweh may not be blasphemed. [flips to Ephesians 5:22-24] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Master. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Messiah is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Messiah, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. [closes Bible and sets it back on the coffee table]
ELIZABETH: Wow. Wow. I can’t believe I haven’t gotten it
before!
NICOLE: [smiles] Well you do now, and that’s what counts.
ELIZABETH: [smiles] Yes, I do, and Praise Yahweh
for that!
NICOLE & BETHANY: Yes, praise Yahweh!
BETHANY: Why don’t we pray?
NICOLE: What an excellent idea.
ELIZABETH: [smiles again] I can start.
[BETHANY, ELIZABETH, & NICOLE go to their knees]
ELIZABETH: Dear Father, I have not been the wife and mother I should be. Thank you for humbling me and allowing me to realize that fact, that I may change. Please give me strength and courage to change for the better, and to be a better servant.
BETHANY: And Yahweh, thank you for touching our dear sister’s heart and bless her. Please help us all to grow together and learn our roles more fully, being able to be the right mother and wife we should be.
NICOLE: Thank you, Father, for both of my sisters here. Thank you for showing Bethany, who showed me and Elizabeth, and thank you for revealing to Elizabeth and I the total truth of those scriptures. Please be with us, lead us, and guide us in your ways.
ELIZABETH, BETHANY, and NICOLE: In Yahushua’s name, Amein! [all stand up and smile at each other]
NICOLE: Group hug!
[all hug each other]
[lights dim and light, joyful music starts; all exit]
[kitchen scene]
CONFUSION
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[enters HUNTER and JAMES through back entrance]
HUNTER: I wonder what has been going on lately. It’s all so strange to me.
JAMES: Yeah, I know. Nicole is totally different.
HUNTER: [glances at JAMES] So is Bethany.
[HUNTER and JAMES grab chairs and sit down]
HUNTER: But it’s a good different.
JAMES: Yeah. Nicole doesn’t pile me with things to do, but asks me if I have time. If I don’t, she waits patiently till I do. And that just makes me want to do it the first time she asks! [laughs]
HUNTER: [laughs] Well, Bethany doesn’t get so annoyed if I don’t come in immediately for breakfast. The kids don’t treat me as much of an enemy anymore. I wonder if Bethany used to talk to them about how bad I was or something.
JAMES: Maybe. Tina doesn’t have the attitude she used to.
HUNTER: Neither does Sarah. Which is great! She’s a good example to the younger siblings.
JAMES: I wonder if they’re hatching up some secret plan. [pretends to look playfully suspicious and then bursts out laughing]
HUNTER: [laughs] Well, I need to get home.
JAMES: Hey, thanks for helping me out at the restaurant. [stands up]
HUNTER: [grins] No problem.
[HUNTER and JAMES hug each other]
[exits HUNTER through back door]
[exits JAMES through living room]
[Jumpy, dance-like music plays and the lights dim]
[kitchen & living room scene]
CATCHING ON
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[door slams and enters SAM through living room entrance, and quickly walks into the kitchen]
SAM: Elizabeth! [smiles broadly]
ELIZABETH: [turns around and jumps up] Oh, Sam!
SAM: [pulls a small pocket Bible from his coat pocket] I quit my job! We’re homeschooling the kids now! Today is their last day. Look at this verse!
ELIZABETH: [gasps and grabs the table, staring at SAM in amazement] Whaat??
SAM: [flips the Bible to Malachi 4:6] Listen to this, Elizabeth! [reads] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. [looks up at her with a grin] This verse just suddenly stuck out to me today! I’ve heard about it but then I flipped open the Bible and there it was!
ELIZABETH: Oh, wow! Sam!! I can’t believe this! [bursts into tears] I’ve been praying for this!
SAM: You have?
ELIZABETH: Yes!! I can’t believe it’s actually happening! Oh, thank you YAHWEH!
SAM: [smiles] Yes, thank you Yahweh.
[lights dim and light, joyful music starts]
[living room scene; a story book is on the coffee table]
THE LIGHT COMES ON
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[enters SARAH and HUNTER]
SARAH: Mommy’s just sooo happy.
HUNTER: Isn’t she? It’s nice. A lot more peaceful around
here!
SARAH: And everyone else is happy too.
HUNTER: Yep. [sits down in recliner and thinks]
SARAH: [gets the book off the table and starts to read]
[enters BETHANY]
BETHANY: Sarah?
SARAH: [looks up] Yes, Mom?
BETHANY: Can you go wake up Chandler please? It’s time for lunch and his nap
has been over for a while. Where are Daniel and Melissa?
SARAH: [sets the book down] Sure, I’ll wake Chandler. [laughs] Melissa and Daniel are playing with the new puppies. They couldn’t wait!
BETHANY: [smiles] Alright, I’ll get them.
[exits SARAH through kitchen exit]
[exits BETHANY through right side living room exit]
HUNTER: [leans forward and picks up the Bible off the table] Hmm… [opens the Bible and it flips to Malachi 4:6] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. [gasps] What! I didn’t know this verse was in the Bible! Well, I did but I never paid a lot of attention to it. Wow! Strike the earth with a curse! [looks closer at the Bible] Hey, it looks like Bethany has some notes here… it says, ‘Yahweh showed me this, and then Titus 2:3-5, and Ephesians 5:22-24’? Hmm.. [flips the Bible to Titus 2:3-5] Aha!! Lookie there! [reads] The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of Yahweh may not be blasphemed.
HUNTER: [looks up with a grin] Now I know what happened. Now what’s that verse in Ephesians… [turns to Ephesians 5:22-24] Oh, look at that!! [reads] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Master. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Messiah is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Messiah, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
HUNTER: [smiles broadly] I know now. That’s why Bethany is different! I’m going to call James and tell him. [jumps up and runs]
[exits HUNTER through left exit]
[lights dim and light, joyful music starts]
[kitchen scene]
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[enters JAMES]
[sound of phone ringing]
JAMES: [picks up cordless on the table] Hello? Oh, hi, Hunter! What, you’re kidding! You found it! Awesome! What was it? Okay, okay…Malachi 4:6 you said? Okay, hold on, let me grab the Bible… [takes the Bible off the counter] Okay, let me find it… [opens it and Bible opens to Malachi 4:6] Oh! It’s marked! Look at that! [laughs] Yours was too? Haha, maybe we found it. Okay, okay, it says, [reads] And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse… [gasps] Whoa!! I never really looked at that verse before! Wow!... [pauses] and then there were verses about the women being keepers at home too?! What verses? Okay, hold on…
JAMES: [turns to Titus 2:3-5] Hey!! That one’s marked too! Let me read it now… [reads] The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of Yahweh may not be blasphemed. [smiles] I think I have Nicole’s secret! Okay, one more? Where is that one? Oh, Ephesians 5:22-24…let me look..
JAMES: [flips to Ephesians 5:22-24] That one’s marked also!! Okay, now it says.. [reads] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Master. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Messiah is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Messiah, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. [looks excited and gasps again] That’s IT! That’s exactly it! And, whoa! Yeah, you feel it too? I need to spend more time with my kids!
JAMES: Yeah, it’s amazing! It’s like a revelation of sorts. Hey! Have you called Sam? Oh, I can. Okay, you get out in the barn with your kids then. [smiles] That’s a good way to start. I probably could take the kids with me to the restaurant; take turns you know? Alright. Well, Yahweh bless you, brother! Shalom! [hangs up] Wow!
[enters NICOLE]
NICOLE: James! What has happened to you?
JAMES: I know your secret! I know your secret! [playful grin]
NICOLE: [smiles] Which is?
JAMES: [points to the verse in Ephesians] Seee?
NICOLE: [laughs merrily] So you do.
JAMES: Nicole, I read the verse in Malachi too. I want to take Tina with me to work tomorrow! Brian can come with me the next day. I want to spend more time at home too. That verse in Malachi is convicting!
NICOLE: [smiles] Praise Yahweh!
JAMES: [smiles back] Yes, Praise Yahweh!
[Jumpy, dance-like music plays and the lights dim]
[kitchen & living room scene; plates are on the table, and ZACH, JAMIE, and FAITH are sitting in the chairs around it, with ELIZABETH moving around the stove]
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
[enters SAM through side living room entrance with phone on his ear]
SAM: Hey James! What, are you kidding? I found out Elizabeth’s secret last week!... Wow, that’s great! Praise Yahweh! Yeah, I started a carpentry business and the kids and I are making a set of tables and chairs for our neighbors... Wow!
[enters ELIZABETH through kitchen entrance]
ELIZABETH: Sam, it’s time to ea—oh, you’re on the phone..
SAM: [looks at ELIZABETH and smiles, putting his hand
up and whispers] It’s okay, James is on the phone!... [speaks louder] Hey,
James, that’s great news! My wife is calling me to dinner so I need to go.
Okay! Yes, Praise Yahweh! [grins] Shalom, brother! [hangs up and
turns to ELIZABETH] James and Hunter got it! They read Malachi four
verse six and they are going to start spending more time with their families!
ELIZABETH: [smiles and tears come to her eyes] Praise Yahweh!!
SAM: [lays a hand on ELIZABETH’s shoulder] Yes,
Praise Yahweh. Let’s get to dinner!
[exits ELIZABETH and SAM]
[Jumpy, dance-like music plays and the lights dim]
[living room scene; chairs are in the living room…its like a Sabbath meeting in the home; children are playing with legos together on the floor, while adults are sitting on the couch and chairs. All actors/actresses are in the room.]
HAPPY FAMILIES
[light slowly turns on and music pauses]
DANIEL: I like Sabbaths.
BRIAN: Me too. Then we can play together and sing.
CHANDLER: Yeah.
ZACH: We also get to listen to studies. I like that part of Sabbath too.
MELISSA: And we get to rest.
JAMIE: I like sleeping in.
[all the children laugh]
SARAH: You know what?
TINA & FAITH: What?
SARAH: I have a happy home now.
BRIAN: Yeah so do I. I love spending time with Daddy. [smiles]
TINA: His restaurant is cool!
FAITH: Yeah I have a happy home too. Daddy stays home and is with us all the time and Mommy obeys Daddy and teaches us, and we’re all happy all the time!
MELISSA: We all have happy families! [giggles]
[all the children laugh]
JAMIE: And I know why too.
CHANDLER: Why?
JAMIE: Because everyone’s obeying Yahweh! [smiles]
[all the children smile and go back to their toys]
[lights dim and light, joyful music starts]
[lights turn on and everyone goes on stage, bowing to audience]
Written 2008; revised 2009.