Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: REMEMBER (02/03/22)
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TITLE: A Blessing or a Curse?--a Monologue | Previous Challenge Entry
By Laurie Kiel
02/10/22 -
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Memories. They can either be a curse or a blessing. I remember the incredible joy of being selected for a a temporary assignment on a special team that used my talents and experience and I thought was tailor made for me. But I also remember the crushing disappointment of being rejected as a permanent hire for that same job. Memories—a blessing or a curse—and it made me think of a woman who saw firsthand a loved one struggle with a guilty memory. I wonder what it would have been like to be the apostle Peter’s wife,
PUTS ON BIBLICAL HEADDRESS
Hello, I hear some of you struggle with memories of guilt, of shame. How well I know that struggle not from my own shame – I think it might have been easier if I had been my own guilt I was bearing instead of helplessly watching my husband’s agony.
I still remember it as if it were yesterday.Peter came home sobbing. I reached out to try and comfort him. He told me (WOMAN SPEAKS IN A MASCULINE TONE) “Don’t touch me, I’m not worthy. You should leave me—everyone should leave me I was such a braggart; I told the Master ‘Everyone else will leave you but I never will.’ And when that despicable Judas, who we all trusted, our friend, comes and betrays the master, I was ready to fight. In fact, I drew my sword and sliced off the ear of the servant of the high priest. My aim was a little off, wrong person, wrong body part. It was probably just as well, if my aim had been true, nothing the master could have done would have saved my life."
(WOMAN’S VOICE RETURNS TO ITS NATURAL TONE)
As Peter told his story my heart caught in my throat at his foolhardiness. He could have been arrested and crucified next to Jesus. Probably would have if Jesus hadn’t healed that servant. My hand again went to my husband to try and comfort him, but he shook off my hand.
He told me how he followed to see Jesus’ fate. But his up was down and his left was right and the right was wrong. And when he told me that a girl accused him of being a follower of Jesus, he cursed and yelled “I NEVER KNEW HIM!” a gasp escaped my lips and my hand went to my mouth in astonished dismay that my brave husband would act so cowardly. He turned and walked away. “I’m not fit for your company I’m not fit for anyone’s company” and he left me
At home all I had were memories with no husband to touch or hold. I remembered what he was like before Jesus came into his life. My brusque, rash husband becoming a disciple of a rabbi? At first, I thought it was just an impulsive act and he would tire of it and find something else.
But he didn’t. Jesus changed him. I had so many wonderful memories of the changes I had seen in my husband, the stories he would come and tell me. But would this latest horror be my final memory of my husband? Would it be his final story?
I waited and I prayed for my husband. And then several days later he returned! I cried with joy as we hugged. My old Peter was back! Full of joy and bravado—and yet somehow different. He had such peace.
I had heard the rumors. And they were true? Jesus was alive! Risen from the dead! And he had forgiven my husband. That was where the joy and peace came from.
If I could have, I would have wiped away Peter’s guilty memories like wiping the remains of a stolen pie from a child’s face. But I couldn’t. Jesus could have wiped those guilty memories away like they never existed. But he didn’t. He did something better. He took away the shame, the stain, the pain. Peter will always have those memories and they will make him a better friend, a better husband, a better Christ follower.
WOMAN TAKES OFF HEADDRESS AND ADDRESSES AUDIENCE
Memories. They can either be a curse or a blessing,
Let Jesus take away the shame, the stain, and the pain of your worst memories leaving them to make you a better friend, a better family member and a better Christ follower.
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