The Girl of my Dreams

I know the exact time that

our eyes first met.

From that moment you were in my heart.

But I had to ignore that raging doubt,

that, some day, we would have to part.

I’d do anything for you.

You know I would.

I’d give my heart, my life, my money.

I’ve done it all once, and I’d do it again,

to hear you laugh at one of my funnies.

This new man that you’ve met.

He’s half my age.

He’s got muscles where I’ve got fat.

He’s kind, polite and he treats you well.

I don’t like him. Nor does the cat.

Now you want to marry

this perfect man.

When you told me your face did shine.

It took me back to that very first day,

when your eyes first met mine.

Now I look at you,

With him in church

And my eyes, they begin to water.

You make a good couple, you really do,

and you’re a wonderful, wonderful daughter.

Life is like a supermarket trolley

Life is like a supermarket trolley: no matter how you push it, it never goes in the right direction. Well, that was Brian and Bob’s experience as wandered through the supermarket, struggling to control their unruly trolleys. (You know what it’s like). They both saw lots of things they wanted but, just how do you deal with so much choice? And choose you must, because sooner or later, there is the checkout.

Brian and Bob were happy enough wandering through the store. They both saw lots of things they liked but they both found it was a struggle controlling their trollies.

“Oooh that looks interesting” said Brian as he reached up to put some Wicked Rice into his trolley. “I’ll give that a try”. Bob wasn’t so sure. He walked on and it was at this point they parted company, sometimes trollies just drift apart.

As Bob walked on through Life’s Supermarket Brian saw, next to Wicked Rice, was some Living Water. He considered it for a fleeting moment and chose to move on without picking it up, as he was distracted by some Evil Enchiladas. He had no idea what they were but he wanted some, so he put them in his trolley next to the rice. Brian tried to wheel his trolley backwards to the Living Water but discovered it only went one way, so he pushed his trolley forward.

SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT CHOICE NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. YOU DON’T KNOW IF A SECOND CHANCE IS COMING.

“Ouch!” he bumped his knee as one of the wheels got stuck and seemingly refused to rotate and acted like a brake. It slowed him down. He grumbled and grimaced as he tried to move his trolley forward. He was a trying hard to keep control of it but trollies can be hard. As he moved slowly he took the opportunity to pick up some bad beans and saucy sausages. He went to move on, then he thought “You know what, I’ll have a few more of them, they can’t do me any harm.”

SOMETIME WHEN YOU ARE HURTING IT CAN BE EASY TO MAKE BAD CHOICES.

As he moved forward he noticed again there was an offer on the Living Water. It looked like you got the Bread of Life with it, a kind of two for one. He tried to manoeuvre the trolley towards it but couldn’t make it go sideways. He tried looking from a distance to see exactly what the offer was. As he strained to see what it was, a man walked by and saw Brian looking at the bread. The man smiled and said “Man cannot live on bread alone” Brian laughed at that. This was true he thought and walked on.

PERSUASIVE TALK FROM WELL MEANING BUT FRANKLY MISLEAD PEOPLE CAN DISTRACT YOU FROM MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE.

Brian continued on, his trolley seemingly having a mind of its own as it skewed sideways and bumped into the side of the aisle. He stopped and took a deep breath, he was annoyed at the lack of control he had over his trolley. He had noticed other people on their shopping trip of life had experienced trolley problems. Some had even fallen over. Some had given up. On the other hand he had noticed some people seemed to be fine with their trollies and they had so much more than him. Why was he so unlucky? He looked at the shelves he had clattered into. There was the Living Water again. “They are really trying to sell this” he thought.

SOMETIMES CIRCMSTANCES CAN OCCUR THAT CAN REALLY MAKE YOUR CHOICE BLACK AND WHITE

He noticed for the first time the water came with a free Cup of Salvation. Now that was a good offer. He went to read the small print on the cup. It’s good to read the small print in Life’s Supermarket.

As he picked up the cup, he noticed on the shelf next to the water were some Tempting Truffles.

OH NO – NOT AGAIN! IT IS TEMPTATION THIS TIME

He put the cup down and moved swiftly with his trolley, yes strangely but swiftly with his trolley, towards what was tempting him - The Truffles. He picked them up and checked his watch. His time was up, he had better checkout.

Did he have time to look at the Living Water offer? He chose not to bother. It was probably too good to be true.

He made his way to the checkout. He saw Bob and waved. Bob wave back and shouted across to him “How’s your shopping trip been in Life’s Supermarket?”

“It’s been alright,” Brian replied “I’ve picked up all sorts of things, some good some not so much. My trolley has been awful though. I’ve felt like I haven’t been in control at all”

Bob said he had experienced exactly the same problems and then he explained “…although when I picked up the Living Water and put it in my trolley, an assistant came along and helped me with the shopping.”

“I didn’t know you could get help” said Brian.

“I read it on the side of the packaging and decided to believe it. I chose to give it a try. And I also found with the cup of salvation you get all your shopping paid for.”

Brian stood there dumbfounded. His mouth dropped wide open. “Really? He asked. “Everything paid for”

“That’s what it said on the packaging. That’s why I put it in the trolley. That and the free assistant. They’ve been amazing, really helped me when I was in trouble in aisle 3. Anyway, here I am at the checkout, checking out” said Bob with a smile and a hope.

“Me too” Said Brian “My shopping trip of Life’s Supermarket has ended as well”.

Brian looked at the cashier, then over at Bob, then his mouth dropped open, again, but this time in amazement as the cashier with Bob saw the Cup of Salvation in his trolley and waved him through.

Brian then looked back at the cashier at his checkout. The cashier looked back at him. They both looked in the trolley. It was too late. He knew it.

Brian could see Bob leaving. Was that a new shopping trolley Bob was pushing? Brian felt his teeth beginning to gnash as he realised what he had chosen, or hadn’t chosen. To think all he had to do was believe, and pick up the Living Water and put it in his trolley. Why hadn’t he done it? It really was that simple. It was then Brian felt the tears starting to well up and his anger made his teeth gnash even harder.

Prayer

Lord God, Almighty Father. Lord Jesus. Holy Spirt we welcome you and ask you to lead and guide our hearts and minds as we come before you now. We will now enter a time of prayerful reflection. To consider the story and your trolley as you push through Life’s Supermarket.

Life really is like a supermarket trolley. It is difficult to push, it rarely seems to go in the right direction, no matter how it is shoved, but we thank you Lord that there is help.

First of all - Let us reflect on our trolleys, or in other words our lives. We acknowledge life is difficult to control on our own, Lord we acknowledge you are willing to step in and help. 

Show us what we should do, show us what choices we should make.

Lord Jesus, we thank you we can pick up the Living Water. Lord we want to pick you up and bring you into our lives.

We acknowledge life is an opportunity to ask you in. For you to save us from the things we do wrong.

Lord Jesus, we choose you. Lord Jesus, We choose you the Son of God. We ask you now to please come into our lives.

Lord please bless us with your Holy Spirit that we may move through our lives according to the way you want us to live. Holy Spirit please come and assist us and help us.

We thank you Jesus for the choice. We thank you Lord Jesus we choose you. The son of God.

Amen

Lost and Found

Lost and Found
A sketch with a twist that challenges our zeal for evangelism
Parts in order of appearance: ·         Husband ·         Beggar ·         Wife A husband opens the door quietly so as not to disturb his wife, who is off stage, and then turns and beckons his new friend, a beggar he has just befriended, into the house (onto the stage). They both step through the door. The husband is keen not to disturb his wife until he has the chance to explain who he has brought home.
Husband	(Quietly) Come in, Come in.
Beggar	(Not quiet but not loud either) Thank you so much for all you are doing for me.
Husband	Oh that’s quite alright. It’s what Christ calls us to do as Christians. (still quiet and looking around nervously)
Beggar	I know, you keep telling me, and I am grateful. Ever since you started talking to me in the subway…
Husband	Shhhh. I don’t want you to startle my wife.
Beggar	Sorry!
Husband	Don’t apologise, it will be OK. Now don’t worry, I do want you to meet her. Besides you’ll have to meet her otherwise she will wonder who it is in the shower when you are up there.
Wife	(Shouting from off stage) Husband, is that you. You’re late again. You’ve not brought another beggar home have you?  (Awkward silence then she walks on stage and stares at husband then looks at beggar and says politely to him) Good evening. (Turns back to husband and stares angrily hands on hips and tapping her feet)
Beggar	Good evening, nice to meet you.
Wife	(smiles again at beggar and turns attention back to husband and stares expectantly)
Husband	(Strides over to his wife, arms open and hugs her) Hello darling. I’m home.
Wife	Again! (Doesn’t respond to hug)
Husband	I always come home?
Wife	Yes, you do don’t you! This is the third beggar you’ve brought home this week.
Husband	I know, but you know God calls all Christians to give. (Turns to Beggar) Please take a seat in our lounge. Make yourself at home.
Beggar	Thank you. (Walks to edge of stage and takes a seat and reads a paper)
Wife	(Takes husband to one side and from now on the conversation is meant to be out of ear shot of the beggar) I have no food left.
Husband	None at all?
Wife	How am I meant to feed him and us? I only have a meal for two left in the freezer. I was going shopping tomorrow.
Husband	We can split it 3 ways can’t we?
Wife	Tut! I suppose… (Sniffs). What’s that smell?
Husband	I can’t smell anything.
Wife	It’s him isn’t it?
Husband	Oh that smell. It’s what I brought him back for.
Wife	For a shower?
Husband	Yes
Wife	OK, but keep an eye on him as we lost our toothbrushes last time and I had to go to my pilates class with breath that could peel wallpaper.
Husband	How can I keep an eye on him in the shower? It’s a bit rude me stood in there with him...
Wife	Well I can’t can I?
Husband	No, I suppose you can’t.
Wife	(Pause then suddenly pointing) Why is he wearing my slippers?
Husband	He has small feet.
Wife	What?
Husband	And he had nothing to keep his feet warm. He was homeless.
Wife	I know God calls us to give, but those are my best slippers. At least you’ve given him your scarf, although I did give you it for your birthday. It took me ages to find one like that.
Husband	In the early Church they shared everything according to those who had need.
Wife	Yes but they were in the same Church. They were sharing things with each other in the same Church.
Husband	He is in our Church.
Wife	No he isn’t. Our church isn’t that big and besides I would have smelled him.
Husband	He is a new member.
Wife	How new?
Husband	About 2 hours ago.
Wife	(Startled) 2 hours ago?
Husband	When he became a Christian.
Wife	Hold on a minute. You said about the early Church sharing things. How much have you shared exactly?
Husband	Your slippers as he had no shoes. (Pause) And my hat. (Pause) My belt as his trousers were about to fall down. (Longer pause)
Wife	And?
Husband	My sandwich as he had no food. (Pause) And my drink. Actually I am a bit thirsty. I would love a cup of tea.
Wife	Don’t change the subject. What else have you given him…
Husband	He has no money so I gave him some of ours.
Wife	OK how much, £5 or £10?
Husband	A tad more than that. He has nothing. Only the clothes he is wearing.
Wife	Ok, ok but how much. It’s the end of the month and I don’t have much for the shopping tomorrow as it is. Hold on, oh no, you’ve not given him all our shopping money have you?
Husband	(Awkward shuffle) Oh no I didn’t do that.
Wife	That’s a relief, we have to eat as well you know.
Husband	I gave him our savings.
Wife	(Explodes) OUR WHAT?
Beggar	(At the shout he looks over)
Husband	Sorry! Didn’t mean to disturb you.
Beggar	That’s alright. I’m not causing any problems am I?
Husband	No not at all. No problems (Beggar returns to what he was doing and husband turns back to wife trying to calm her)
Wife	(In an angry staccato tone) You… gave… him… our… savings…. All of it?
Husband	In the Bible the rich young ruler had to give up all he had to follow Jesus. I didn’t want to go away sad like he did.
Wife	Yes but all of it? Why on earth would you … oh no …hold on … he’s homeless. Tell me you’ve not given him our home.
Husband	(Pause) Not exactly. We do have a spare room though.
Wife	He’s moving in?
Husband	Yes
Wife	(Angrily) When?
Husband	After his shower.
Wife	He can’t. My mother is coming to staying this week!
Husband	Sorry, I forgot.
Wife	She’ll be here tomorrow. Where can she sleep?
Husband	Good question. (Thinks and then has an idea) I know, after his shower he can take a drive…
Wife	(Interrupts) He can take a drive? HE CAN TAKE A DRIVE? How can he take a drive he hasn’t got a car!
Husband	(Smiles awkwardly) He needs a car so he can find a job. I gave him your car so he can …
Wife	(Interrupts again) My car? You gave him my car? Why not your car? He only joined the Church 2 hours ago and you’re … etc
	(The argument goes on in the background – a bit of ad libing is called for here. The Beggar stands up and walks to the front to address the audience)
Beggar	I may be a bit new to all this, having just become a Christian, but even I can see there are a lot of questions to be answered here. Questions like – How much should a Christian give? Who should they give to? When should you share with Church members? Should you give to Beggars? (Nods towards Husband and Wife) Should they get marriage guidance? These are questions I can’t answer. All I know is 2 hours ago I was lost, but now, thanks to this mans actions, I am found. How much are you prepared to give to win souls for Jesus?

Hope and Encouragement are good friends

Encouragement and Hope were good friends. One day they were walking down the street, having a chat and looking out for people to encourage and give hope to when they found a man who was lost and couldn’t see anyway he would have a future for himself. Hope sat down with him and talked to him and gave him hope – It’s what he does. Encouragement talked to him about the good things he could see in the man and how he could use these good things – It’s what he does as well.

They walked with the man for a while until the man was ready to go on his own, and then he did. This is what Encouragement and Hope do. 

Encouragement and Hope walked on. Encouragement turned to Hope and commented on the fact that the words Hope had just used were perfect for the man they had just met. Hope explained he had learned from an old friend called Trust that it is best to allow the words to come from the heart. Encouragement said how he would like to meet Trust. Hope thought he already had.

Now as they were having this discussion, they turned down a small alleyway and bumped into Hindrance and Impossibility. These two were their nemesis. It has to be said it was strange how no matter where Encouragement and Hope went, they always found Hindrance and Impossibility weren't far away. Anyway, these ne’er-do-wells were determined to discourage and create hopelessness amongst all people. The found if they could do this it would lead people to Hatred. Now you need to know, wherever Hindrance and Impossibility lurked, and they were particularly good at lurking, you could always rely on their gang leader Hatred being just around the corner.  The more people that Hatred had in his gang the stronger and more powerful he became.

The four of them bumping into each other was literal. They bumped into each other as they walked down a narrow alleyway (These sort of things always happen in narrow alleyways). Hope and Encouragement greeted them and politely asked them to move. Hindrance responded simply by deliberately getting in the way, and Impossibility sneeringly pointed out he could not possibly move. The four of them stood staring into each other’s eyes, not in a nice way either. Their eyes narrowed and tension mounted. Hope and Encouragement were peace loving but were not afraid to get into a battle should the matter rise to the level of combat.

As fists clenched and nostrils flared, the tension mounted. Then Hope turned to Encouragement and said “You, know we don’t need to fight today.”

Encouragement nodded “It wouldn’t be fair” he said “considering whom we’ve arranged to meet.”

The two of them agreed and started to back out of the alleyway. Hindrance and Impossibility snarled and growled about how there was no hope of them escaping, that it was impossible to get away, and how they should give up. They paused for a moment to consider what Encouragement meant about it not being fair and who exactly they were meeting. The pause didn’t last long, as Hindrance and Impossibility suddenly smiled.

In normal circumstances Hope and Encouragement like a smile and positively encourage the facial activity, but it has to be said they didn’t like these particular smiles. The reason for the smiles, was that Hindrance and Impossibility had spotted their leader Hatred who was slowly and menacingly creeping up behind Hope and Encouragement. He was good at creeping up on people. He got closer, beside him was his fearsome sidekick Anger. They both crept silently as Hope and Encouragement were backing out of the alleyway. The thing with Hatred is he didn’t like to let Hindrance and Impossibility out on their own. He always wanted to make sure they did exactly what he told them to do, he had obviously never met Trust.

As our two friends backed out of the alleyway, they saw the crooked aggressive smiles on the faces of Hindrance and Impossibility. They heard their snarling and the growling words becoming stronger, telling them they had no way of getting out of this, spitting the words out at them.

Then they heard Anger growl, and then Hatred simply said ‘At last I can finish you’

Hope and Encouragement turned. They stood face to face with Anger and Hatred.

Hope and Encouragement smiled.

Hatred was infuriated by what he saw as belligerence on the part of Hope and Encouragement. Hatred and Anger roared and stepped forward fists raised ready to annihilate Hope and destroy Encouragement, but they both suddenly stopped just before throwing the first punch.

The stopped as they stared in disbelief over the shoulders of Hope and Encouragement as the figures of Hindrance and Impossibility flee out the other end of the alleyway.

How dare they! Hatred and Anger fuelled by hatred and anger (obviously), raised their fists again, but yet again stopped, as this time from behind them, they heard footsteps. Did these footsteps belong to the one Hope and Encouragement had arranged to meet? Was this why they were still smiling?

Realisation dawned on Hatred. He knew and really loathed those footsteps. He knew exactly who they belonged to and he knew he could not defeat the one making them, no matter how he might try, oh and he had tried. Anger wanted to fight, he always wanted to fight. Hatred lowered his fists, Anger copied. Hatred looked at the two friends “Is it Love behind me?” he asked. Hope and Encouragement nodded.

Hatred fled. Anger looked back, he saw Love and thought about staying, but quickly decided this was no place for him today and ran after Hatred.

Love walked up to Hope and Encouragement. Love was strong, Love was big, Love was beautiful and brave. Love greeted Hope and Encouragement with a smile and a big warm hug. Love won again.

This type of conflict happens all day every day, be strong and get to know Hope and Encouragement, meet their friend Trust and do everything knowing Love is the best and strongest of all, and of course …

                …we all know who Love is.

The Grudge

Nursing The Grudge
Based on the fact God calls us to forgive for good reason. Nursing a grudge can ruin your life. Parts: 1x the Grudge Bearer 1x the Friend 1x the Grown up Grudge (ideally needs to be very tall but definitely needs to be taller than the other two) The only prop is a doll (or anything) that can be wrapped in blankets and made to look like a baby wrapped in cloths. No one gets to see what’s inside the cloths. Scene: Empty stage then the Grudge Bearer and the Friend enter the stage from opposite sides. Grudge Bearer is carrying a baby lovingly in their arms. Throughout the sketch the Grudge Bearer is very attentive to the Grudge for example cooing at them and tickling them under the chin. As they walk on they see each other, they smile and greet each other...
Grudge Bearer	Hello my friend how are you?
Friend	Very well, very well indeed, and what about you? I see you have a new addition (looks at the baby). Coo, hello little one. (Back to Grudge Bearer) What is it?
Grudge Bearer	It’s my grudge.
Friend	(To baby and talks in baby voice) I can see it’s a grudge your nursing. (Back to Friend) What I meant was - what is it, how’d it happen?
Grudge Bearer	Oh I see, it was an accident.
Friend	Really, an accident...yes well these things happen. Didn’t you err, take any umm, have any...er you know (nods and winks)...
Grudge Bearer	Any what? (shakes head not understanding)
Friend	You know, it was an accident. So didn’t you (winks again), couldn’t you – you know...
Grudge Bearer	(Dawns on him what the Friend is getting at) Oh I see. Sorry. Oh no, I couldn’t FORGIVE them.
Friend	But forgiveness can prevent unwanted grudges.
Grudge Bearer	I know but this time it really couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t possibly forgive them. It hurt me.
Friend	What about them. Didn’t they want forgiveness.
Grudge Bearer	They did but I don’t want to give it. (talk to baby in baby voice) Besides I like my little grudge. I loves it I do, yes I do, boo boo boo boo booooooo.
Friend	(to baby) Ahh look it’s smiling (goes to tickle baby under the chin) Ouch it bit me.
Grudge Bearer	(still in baby talk) Well you shouldn’t go talking about forgiveness in front of it like that.
Friend	Oh I see, I’m sorry.
Grudge Bearer	(Still in baby talk and talking to the baby) I’m not interested in sorry, no I’m not. Not at all. (blows raspberry at baby)
Friend	Oh I see, OK then. Well er...it was nice seeing you. I’ll be off then...bye (Walks off stage)
Grudge Bearer	(Looks up and realises friend has gone) Oh, where’d they go. Typical. People don’t care about me.
Grudge Bearer walks off stage in the other direction to the Friend. Grudge Bearer, whilst walking off, is tutting and mumbling about no one being interested or caring about them whilst at the same time Friend walks back on and simply turns to the audience to announce it is 12 months later after which the Grudge Bearer walks back on to the stage. They no longer have the baby but is now holding hands with the Grown Up Grudge. Throughout the second half of this sketch Grown Up Grudge is not interested in what is going on. He stands there with a frown on their face most of the time and has the occasional scowl. Grudge Bearer walks up to Friend.
Friend	Hello there, it’s been 12 months since we last met, how are you? (Friendly)
Grudge Bearer	OK I suppose.
Friend	(Turns to Grudge)... and who is this.
Grudge Bearer	This is my little grudge. You met last year – (annoyed) remember?
Friend	Oh yes... oh my... hasn’t it grown!
Grudge Bearer	(happier) Yes it has really blossomed.
Friend	This is the same one, the (whispers) accident?
Grudge Bearer	Yes.
Friend	(stands back in awe at the size) Wow!
Grudge Bearer	Ruined my life that accident.
Friend	How?
Grudge Bearer	My partner has left me. My friends hardly talk to me anymore. My performance at work has gone done and I’m on the verge of being sacked.
Friend	The accident caused all that?
Grudge Bearer	If it wasn’t for the accident I wouldn’t have to nurse my grudge everyday. They said (turns to the grudge) my little grudgy wudgy was getting in the way. They say it is always there, everywhere I go, everything I say. They say I should let go (Grown Up Grudge clings on to Grudge Bearer) but I can’t...look at him
Friend	But it’s not really the accident it’s the Grudge...
Grown Up Grudge starts to get agitated and begins to cry.
Friend	...(getting a bit worried so speaks to one side) I know we mentioned the F word last time we met. Have you given it any more thought.
Grudge Bearer	DON’T USE THAT SORT OF LANGUAGE NEAR HIM!  if it wasn’t for the accident, I wouldn’t have my grudgy (turns to Grudge and talks in baby language again and has to sooth him). Whose a lovely little grudge then, you are, yes you are (blows a raspberry on it’s face and Grudge gives a scary looking smile at Friend and then the audience before returning to a frown and generally looking surly).
Friend	He’s not little is he?
Grudge Bearer	Not you as well.
Friend	Pardon?
Grudge Bearer	You, you’re criticising. Aren’t you?
Friend	I’m not. I would suggest that forgiveness, there I’ve said it, could go a long way to sorting out your life.
Grudge Bearer	No it wouldn’t, and besides it’s gone too far now. I couldn’t possibly back down and, and, and... this grudge is my life.
Friend	But forgiveness could ...
Grudge Bearer	(Very angry) You’re just like all the rest. Never see my side. What about me. I’m so hurt and angry and this grudge never gives me time to think about anything else. You make mad. C’mon (storms off dragging Grown Up Grudge behind them).
Friend	(Shouting after Grudge Bearer)... but F is also the beginning of Freedom. (Pause) (Turns to the audience) F is also the beginning of Freedom.

The Manger Makers

It was busy in Bethlehem that night. The census had meant people from far and wide had come to stay in the town.  It also meant The Old Star Inn was packed which really annoyed Gary and Bob who preferred a little bit of peace with their pint, and was there a place to sit down after a hard day manger making – there was not.

“It’s busy tonight in Bethlehem” said Bob stating the obvious “What’s a bloke to do to get a seat in this place?”

“It's the census” replied Gary sounding fed up

“It’s senseless this census” said Bob with a grin

“It's incensed us” responded Gary as they clinked their beer glasses and nodded knowingly with a smile. It was the same joke they had told each other for the last two weeks.

Although the bar was noisy an awkward silence fell between them.

“Oh I'm bored” blurted Gary.

Bob, startled at the blurting, as his mind had drifted as had his eyes as he was smiling at a couple of ladies seated not far from him, and wasn’t taking much notice of Gary. Bob simply questioned the statement with “Whot?”.

“I'm Bored” repeated Gary “I've been making mangers for 20 years. 20 years! What am I going to do?”

Bob tried to look interested, for his friends sake but also keeps trying to smile at the ladies, which is becoming difficult to maintain. “Is it that long.’ He says “Tut! Time flies doesn't it.”

“Not really. I'm probably the best manger maker in the country, but what's the point? What is the point!” Gary repeats “All these years I've been in that workshop waiting for God to use me.”

“Use you for what?” Bob turns his attention to Gary. This could be interesting he thinks.

“I dunno! Anythink!” I would do anythink.” Gary looks off into the distance and sips his beer.

“Anythink?” Asks Bob and without waiting for an answer asks, “Yeh but, what if God had called you to do somethink really hard? Like, err, um, like… dig a really deep hole”

“I could do that, although I was expecting something with more meaning.” Gary frowns at the suggestion, “Why dig a hole?”

“I dunno, you said anythink.” Replied Bob, “OK what if he told you to follow a star for 20 years?”

“That’s a long time but I could do it.”

“So you would do something like follow a star, which is a bit odd to be honest, for a long time, if God called you to it?”

Gary thinks about that “Yeh I would. If only I knew what he wanted me to do. Cos, right, it’s like this, if I'd had had the call then VOOM... I would have been off. Instead I've been making mangers for 20 years.” Sounding morose he says “Food troughs for cows.”

“Not just cows,” says Bob trying to be more upbeat for his friend “We do them for bulls, and sheep, and donkeys”

“Yeh, I know” Gary becomes vacant, goes off into a sad dream of what could’ve been.

“And goats,” continues Bob warming to the theme “…and then you get the little baby lambs, and the kids.” Makes a funny face “aww I love them. Oh, what about the ones we’ve made for camels and horses, and then there was that one we made for a giraffe”

Gary realises his friend is still talking and looks up. “Hey, Bob those ladies over there. See em? They look nice.”

Bob pretends to have only just noticed them “ Oh those, Which do you fancy?”

“What do I fancy? I’ll have another pint thanks.”

“Whot! Oh for crying out loud, you get me every time.” Bob downs the rest of his drink and goes to the bar and gets the drinks in.

Gary is left on his own. He sighs, sighs again but bigger this time. Looks at his watch. Looks where Bob went. He sighs and stares into space. “20 years!” he says out loud “20 years of making mangers. I could have been anythink me!” Gary sighs again, blows through teeth and looks up and cries out to God “Why haven't you used me?

At that moment Bob returns and says “You never asked.”

“What?” says Gary

“You never… oh never mind” Biob gives up on the joke “Look, you'll never guess what I have just seen going on out the back in the barn.”

“What?” says Gary again.

“You think it’s busy in here, yeh well it’s really busy out the back there. There’s people and animals all over the place, and in the middle of it all a baby’s been born in a barn.”

“A baby’s been born in the barn?” asks Gary

“That’s whot I said, A baby’s been born in the barn.” Bob repeats “When I was there a whole load of shepherds turned up with more sheep. They were a bit odd if you ask me. Kept going on about an Angel of the Lord telling them to come and see the King. Ivan the Inn Keeper got a bit stressy with em but the mother of the baby is amazingly calm and is in control and just said let them come in. Ivan just did as he was told. Never seen that appen before. Oh, I’ll tell you what they did with baby

“Go on, what have they done with the baby?” Says Gary.

“They’ve only gone and laid him in one of your mangers.”

“Really, Oh that’s, er, thats, thats... TERRIBLE.” Exclaims Gary “A new born baby has been put in one of my dirty old mangers. The poor kid. Is that any way to bring a child into the world.”

“Well, he looked alright to be fair.” Explains Bob “They’ve wrapped him up in fresh swaddling cloths and stuff. Fresh hay in there as well. Ivan said the strange thing was all the animals wouldn’t eat from it. They just kept their distance and stared, without making a sound.”

“What are you talking about.” Gary is starting to get angry “Look they’ve brought a new life into the world and placed him in a manger. No one deserves a start like that. No one. A manger!” Gary shakes his head “I know I will make him a cradle tomorrow I could do it in work. A nice cradle.”

“That is - a great idea,” says Bob “Do you reckon the boss let you have the wood?”

“I didn’t think of that” says Gary “No, probably not... Oh I know, how about...no…or I could... No,” Gary is getting frustrated. “This is annoying. Do you know I never get to do anythink worthwhile or important. I just want to do somethink, anythink, all I want is to serve the King of Kings”

The men who made that manger bare

            That was a cradle for Gods son,

            Could not have known their rustic skill

            Would be renowned and glorious still

            When centuries had run.

            The manger framed by roughened hands,

            Where Christ was laid in shadowed gloom,

            A country carpenter had made,

            A product of his daily trade,

            And never guessed for whom.

            So we, who in our daily work

            Can fashion great or humble things,

            May trust, though how we can not say,

            That what we labour at each day

May serve the King of Kings.