Yesterdays Problems, Tomorrows Plans

Yesterday’s Problems, Tomorrow’s Plans follows three workers—Jim, Bill, and Donna—each handling their work in different ways. Jim is overwhelmed, constantly behind, and blames distractions for his delays. Bill is under pressure, struggling to meet deadlines. Donna, however, remains calm and in control. When asked about her secret, she reveals that she prays for her future tasks, rather than scrambling at the last minute. Through their conversation, Jim and Bill begin to see that prayer isn’t about magically fixing past mistakes but about preparing the heart and mind for future challenges.

• Run Time: Approximately 10 minutes.
• Cast Number: 3 actors (any age, male or female).
• Set: Bare stage with three chairs
• Biblical Reference:
  • Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
  • Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
  • Matthew 6:33-34 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Sample Script

(A bare stage with three chairs. No special lighting, sound, or costumes needed. Jim, Bill, and Donna each enter separately, performing their respective actions before interacting.)

(Jim enters stage right, frantically miming putting something together. He becomes increasingly frustrated, making exaggerated gestures of failure. Suddenly, he mimes his cell phone ringing, engages in an animated conversation, gets angrier, and hangs up before returning to his task.)

(Bill enters stage left, checks his watch, and starts to mime working on a project. He frowns, struggling to put something together, while checking his watch repeatedly. His cell phone “rings,” and he answers with a worried smile, nodding several times before hanging up and returning to work.)

(Donna enters center stage slowly, sits down, rests her chin in her hand, and appears deep in thought. She occasionally nods, serene and calm. Her cell phone “rings,” she smiles, and hangs up.)

(The three characters continue their actions for a few moments, establishing their different attitudes—Jim overwhelmed, Bill pressured, and Donna at peace.)

Jim: Oh, I give up! What’s the use? I was supposed to have this all done yesterday, and now everyone’s yapping at me— “What’s going on there, Jim? When you gonna deliver, Jim?” Give me a break! It’s not my fault I have so many things on the go—I can’t ever keep up!

Bill: I thought I was under the gun! I’m scheduled to deliver my project in— (checks watch, frowns) — 35 minutes. Man, I better get at it!

Jim: No way you’re gonna finish that in 35 minutes, Bill! We both know that!

Bill: It’ll be tight, but I just gotta get it done! My boss hates late projects!

Jim: My boss would probably drop dead from a heart attack if I ever did deliver a project on time! And here I am—a day late again! Oh boy, the boss is really gonna be cranky this time!

Bill: Looks to me like you’re gonna be way more than just a day late, Jim. No way you’ll have that project wrapped up and delivered today—maybe not even tomorrow, if you ask me.

Jim: Well, it’s not my fault! Seems like everyone’s always after a piece of my time! Work, family, the wife, kids— (mock frustration) The neighbor’s dog might as well come asking for help too! What am I? A magnet for people’s problems?

Bill: So you’re saying everybody needs you?

Jim: You said it, Bill! I would have finished this project with time to spare, but along comes my friend Terry— “Jim, why don’t you come over and watch the game on TV?”

Bill: You watched a football game instead of finishing your project?

Jim: What kind of guy do you think I am? Of course I wasn’t gonna turn my friend down!

Bill: Wow, you sure know how to give and give, don’t you?

Jim: Hey, that’s just the kind of neighborly guy I am! But you’re no better, Bill— Miss by a minute, miss by a mile, I always say! And you aren’t exactly cruising this project in on time either, Billy boy!

(Bill checks his watch, then glances at Donna, who remains calm and collected.)

Bill: Oh man! Would you just look at the time? (gesturing toward Donna) Look at her! She has all the luck. On time, all the time—that’s what they say about her projects.

Jim: Good ol’ dutiful Donna! Boss goes way too easy on her, that’s why!

(Bill approaches Donna.)

Bill: What’s your secret, Donna?

(Donna looks up, noticing Jim and Bill for the first time, and smiles.)

Donna: Oh, hi Bill, Jim. Secret? Not sure what you mean.

Jim: What Jim means is, your projects are always on time. Our projects? Well, sometimes… maybe… occasionally… we’re a tad delayed. Not always. Just… sometimes.

(Bill gives Jim a look and shakes his head.)

Bill: Ahem. What Jim meant to say is—how do you always manage to beat the clock?

Donna: Well, I find that planning is very important.

Jim: When’s your project due?

Donna: Tomorrow.

Jim: So that’s what you were doing—planning?

Donna: Actually, no. I was praying.

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