Encouragement

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He has
worn me
out.
[Job 16:7]
*******************
(Sigh.)
(Sit on the bed.)
(Reach for the
tube of Ben-Gay.)
"What did 'Ya
think,
of my Pharisees
stories...
LORD?"

[SILENCE.]

(Look up at ceiling.)
(Hopeful stare.)
(Sigh.)
(Weary mumble.)
"HUH?"

[SILENCE.]

(Shrug.)
(Disappointed sigh.)
"You 'been around
the GENTILES,
too long,
Lord."

[SILENCE.]

"You've
lost all Y'ur
Jewish humor."

[CHUCKLE!]

(Nodding.)
(Silence.)
(Frown.)
"This life is
gettin' too LONG.....
LORD."

[SILENCE.]

"It's a big
DISAPPOINTMENT."
(Stretch back.)
(Groan.)
"Heck,
if I was
gone TOMORROW...
most 'a
family and
EX-family...
would just
breathe a big sigh,
'a RELIEF."
(Chuckle.)

[GAZE DOWN AT
RUMPLED CHILD
SITTING ON THE
EDGE OF THE BED.]

(Take off glasses.)
(Hold alarm-clock
to nose.)
(Squint.)
(Squint, again.)
(Setting alarm.)
"Although.. I'm
anti-Rapture."

[BURST OUT LAUGHING!]

(Put glasses back on.)
(Sighing, heavily.)
"Ya know:
cuz, of the PETS,
and ALL."

[NODDING.]
[CHUCKLING.]

"Those poor
ANIMALS."
(Look up.)
"All the BELIEVERS
get released.....
like, little BALLOONS..."

[SHAKING HEAD
IN CONSTERNATION.]

"And...all their
PETS get left behind."

[SILENCE.]

"That's AWFUL."
(Wave hands at the ceiling.)
Don't COME,
LORD!
DON'T COME!"

[PATIENT SIGH.]

(Weary silence.)
(Rub another
sore muscle.)
"So.........."
(Pick up tube of
Ben-Gay, again.)
(Turn the cap.)
(Press on tube.)
"....Ya DIDN'T LIKE,
my Pharisees
stories,
Lord?"

[PATIENT PAUSE.]
"Who AM I,
child?"

(Rubbing goop into skin.)
(Screw cap back on.)
(Stretch back.)
(Groan.)
"A CRITIC?"

[CHUCKLING.]
"More,
child.
More,
than That."
***********************
My soul
faints
for Your
salvation.
But,
I hope
in
Your word.
[Psalms 119:81]

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