Forgiveness - Asking

Third in a three part series on forgiveness, originally written in French by the author Chantal Bilodeau Legendre. This series uses real life issues and struggles in the areas of child rearing (with a demanding child), dealing with overweight problems, etc. These are common to all, and are told in a very forthright manner.

The following is comments from the author:
I wrote the following skits for a women’s retreat a couple of years ago. I was the speaker, and I also played Janet’s part.
As you will see, these skits are “instructional”, as I wanted to deliver some teachings through drama. I believe that drama is an excellent means to teach in a non-threatening way. Presenting the touchy subjects of overweight, bitterness or anger towards a spouse or a mother, etc. in a “dramatic” way makes the audience more receptive.

Note about Florence:
Florence talks about her struggles with her weight. I created this character with the help of the dear friend of mine who played this role. My friend still has weight to lose, but she has a wonderful self-image – and obviously an even more wonderful image of God… She is not self-conscious, but God-conscious, and irradiates his love. I am fully aware that finding a woman to play such a role appropriately might be a challenge.

Part 1 served as an introduction to the first conference, Receiving God’s Forgiveness. (DramaShare Script “Forgiveness – Receiving”) Janet needs forgiveness
Part 2 served as an introduction to the second conference, Granting Forgiveness. (DramaShare Script “Forgiveness – Granting”) Janet needs to grant forgiveness
Part 3 served as the conclusion of the third conference, Asking for forgiveness. (DramaShare Script “Forgiveness – Asking”)

Cast: 2
Janet, a young mother
Florence, Janet’s dear friend

Set: could be Florence’s living room

Lighting, sound, costumes: standard

Props: Teapot, 2 teacups, accessories needed for a pedicure or manicure, scented candles

Time: 15

Bible Reference: Ephesians 4.31-32

Sample of Script:

As the lights go up, we see Florence and Janet happily busy with doing (for each other, maybe!) a pedicure or manicure.

Florence: (Beaming.) Aaah! Janet! Hurray for fishing trips!

Janet: (Beaming too.) Better: Hurray for fishing trips… and mothers-in-law!

Florence: Even better: Hurray for fishing trips, mothers-in-law and… girls’ nights!

Janet: (Sighs with pleasure.) Comfortable jammies, nail polishes of all sorts of colours, scented candles… Florence, do you think our husbands have all these luxuries?

Florence: Maybe... A campfire, insect repellent, a whole lake all to themselves… No need to shave, no need to wash, no kids… That’s luxury, darling! (Both laugh.)

Janet: (After a pause.) I hope Mother doesn’t have any problem with the kids…

Florence: Don’t worry! She’s seen worse!

Janet: She’s so kind to have offered to babysit the kids for two days! It does me good, you know!

Florence: It seems that you’ve been doing better lately, haven’t you?

Janet: Yes, I have. My life came to a turning point a few weeks ago.

Florence: Well, darling, I’d be glad to hear about it!

Janet: (After a pause.)The day you made me meditate on 1 John 1:9, I started to taste of God’s forgiveness. His forgiveness freed me on a day-to-day basis. You see, my feelings of guilt used to make me feel as if I were in a snare… I felt like a bird caught in a net. I wanted to free myself, but the more I fidgeted and wriggled about, the more I was tying myself up in the knots! I had to stop fidgeting – here, in my mind. I had to let God talk to me gently and untangle the mess himself!

Florence: What a deliverance when we are freed from the net of those feelings! God’s forgiveness tastes good, doesn’t it?

Janet: It sure does! It’s wonderful, actually! And when I realized all that God had forgiven me, my heart felt much lighter. Instead of always looking down, I started looking up. The view is so much more beautiful!

Florence: I agree with you, darling! Our outlook is kind of renewed… There’s hope for the future! God is able to – and he wants to – do something wonderful with our lives. By looking up to him instead of feeding our feelings of guilt, it’s as if we grow wings. We let God work freely in our lives and we can soar up into the sky!

Janet: We stop hindering his work…

Florence: We stop quenching the Spirit, who wants to talk to us…

Janet: Ah! God’s Spirit! When I finally believed in God’s forgiveness for each of my sins, his Spirit talked to me… And he did so, rather loudly!

Florence: Really? How come?

Janet: Well, first of all, he made use of you – again!

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