It's Not Stupid
by John Wayne Samples
Subjects:
Faith • Cars • Couples • Abraham • Giving
Money • Missions • Stewardship
Synopsis:
When the little boy grows up, his love of automobiles grows up with him. When he faces the possibility of having to make a sacrifice, we see his true colors; or do we?
Purpose:
To make people consider their priorities, especially the conflict between material possessions and promises made to God. We used this the week after our Faith Promise Rally, and it was followed by a sermon about Abraham being asked to give up that which was most important to him.
Staging:
A couple of chairs facing the audience serve as a play area for little kids, then as the bucket seats of a sports car.
4 Characters:
Ginny as a girl of about 9 or 10
Ginny as a woman of 30 or so
Randy as a boy of about 9 or 10
Randy as a man of 30 or so.
Props:
Toy cars for the kids, driving gloves/hat and a scarf for the adults.
Scene One
Ginny and Randy, as kids, are sitting on chairs next to each other playing with toys.Ginny and Randy, as kids, are sitting on chairs next to each other playing with toys.
Ginny
How come you don't like to play with dolls, Randy? Randy
Ginny
Oh, yeah? Who says? Randy
Momentary pause as Ginny considers the insult.
Ginny
What are you going to be when you grow up, Randy? Randy
Ginny
No silly. I mean, where are you going to work. Randy
Ginny
What do you mean? You don't know WHERE you're going to work, but you know HOW you'll get there? Randy
Ginny
Neat. (pause)
Randy, where do you want to live when you grow up? Randy
Ginny
A heated garage?! Randy
Ginny
Is that stupid car all you think about? Randy
It is not stupid. You'll see. I WILL have a red sports car, and only my closest friends will be allowed to ride in it!
Pause.
Ginny
Randy, am I your girlfriend. Randy
Ginny nods her head up and down.
Well... do you promise to never call my red sports car stupid?
Ginny nods her head.
Well... OK. You can be my girlfriend.
Ginny
Does that mean I get to ride in your car. Randy
Ginny
(Cheers)
Ginny gets up and runs out. Randy puts his hands on an imaginary steering wheel, and smiles broadly as he "steers" off stage.Lights go black.
End of scene one
NOTE: A short solo here about growing up, giving/getting, what's important, etc., makes for a good transition. Obviously optional
NOTE: A short solo here about growing up, giving/getting, what's important, etc., makes for a good transition. Obviously optional.Scene Two
Adult
Adult Ginny and Randy take kids' place. Randy has driving gloves and a hat. Hands on the wheel. No smile. Ginny hurries and gets into "the car" as she ties on the scarf.
Ginny
Randy, where have you been? We were suppose to be there over an hour ago! Randy
I just went for a drive. I needed to think; be by myself. Ginny
You mean alone with your stupid red sports car! I swear, ever since you got this thing I think you'd rather be with it than with me. Randy
Ginny, you promised you'd never call my car stupid.
"Car" swerves to the right,
"Car" swerves to the right, Ginny grabs door handle for support, both characters momentarily lean to the left IN UNISON.
Will you try to be a little more careful. Look at that, you got fingerprints on the leather grip.
Ginny
When are you going to grow up!? It's VINYL, Randy. Pure, unadulterated Naugahide! Fingerprints wipe right off. (Wipes) See! Randy
Now look what you did. It's all smeared!
Ginny starts to explode, then has a realization.
Ginny
Wait a minute. I know what's wrong with you. It's that whole missions conference thing, isn't it? Randy
I don't know what you're talking about. Ginny
Yes you do. You're under conviction about something. (realizing) That's what we we're talking about when you stormed out of the house. Randy
You're jumping to conclusions. Ginny
No I'm not. You said you were worried that you wouldn't be able to fulfill our Faith Promise commitment, then, you got real quiet, then, you mumbled something about a stupid idea, then, you just got up and left. I thought you were mad at me for something, but it's not me, is it. This is something between you and the Lord. Randy (reluctantly)
I just got this real dumb idea and I can't get it out of my mind. It's just the same thing, over and over and over. Ginny
What in the world could be bothering you so much? I know we talked about moving to a smaller house and using some of that money, but I didn't think that bothered you much. In fact it was your idea...
Realizing
NO! Randy, you can't be thinking of selling your car!
Randy Angry.
It just isn't fair, Ginny. I've wanted this car since I was a little boy. Ginny (sympathic)
I know. Randy
I mean THIS car. It's the one I used to dream about. And now I've got it. How can He ask me to do something like this? Ginny
Well, maybe you've misunderstood. Maybe He just wants you to use it for Meals-On-Wheels, or something. Randy (chuckles, a little)
Or maybe there's even a better car out there that I'll win in a radio contest if I give this one up, right? Ginny
Well, maybe? Randy
I don't think so. I've done all the rationalizing I can think of to do, and it just keeps coming up "Red Sports Car." Ginny
So, what are you going to do?
"Car" swerves suddenly to the left with appropriate simultaneous movement by the characters to the right.
...Assuming you don't kill us first.
RandyI dunno. If I had thought this was going to be the deal, I'd have never turned in that stupid commitment card. Ginny
Wow. That's pretty heavy, Randy. Are you sure about all this? Randy
The only other time I was this sure was when I knew He wanted us to get married. Ginny
Wow. That IS heavy. And.... that worked out pretty well, didn't it?.
Randy steers "car" up to the curb.
Hey, why are you pulling up out in front.
Randy
I'll be back in a few minutes. Tell them to start without me. Ginny
But...
Reconsiders, then gets out.
Randy, whatever you decide, I'll still be your... girlfriend.
Randy
Does that mean you'll never again call my car stupid?
Don't push it, buster.
Hurry back after you... Well, just don't be gone too long. Randy
It really isn't fair, you know.
Lights to black.
The End