Cafe Agape©
written by Fay Johnson
written by Fay Johnson
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Cast: 3W, 1T, 2G (Grandma Dolly, Karen, Susan are the travelers and Grandma Joy, Faith, and Hope are at the Diner).
Setting: Diner/Cafe
Plot: Grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter have been traveling together trying to get to the hotel where they plan to meet other family members for a reunion. They have been driving in rainy weather and decide to stop at a diner hoping that the rain will stop so they can finish their trip without the dangers of the wet road that merely slowed their travel time.
Props: table, tablecloth, inexpensive flower arrangement, dishes, fireplace window with curtains (red & white checked if possible), pot, bread, picture for water, glasses, recipe, etc.
Costumes: Cook (Grandma Joy) can wear an apron, but everyone else is casual. The travelers could have raincoats, umbrellas, etc. but it is not necessary.
Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cafe Agape
Dolly: Ok, let’s make a run for it.
Karen: Oh, please be open!
Susan: Yeah, at least something has worked out for us tonight. I’ll hold the door open for you grandma.
Dolly: Oh thank you Susan.
[the travelers enter the diner shaking the rain water off and looking for a seat while they shiver].
Dolly: There is a table by the fire, maybe we can warm up. I am so cold.
Karen: I still cannot believe how treacherous that road was. As if the terrain was not bad enough, the rain -- just pouring in sheets -- I could not even see the front end of the car.
Susan: Grandma driving 70 mph didn’t help either. I think she could have made the world’s records for the way she made that last corner -- what was it called, Dead Man’s Curve?
[the three take seats at the little table]
Karen: I’m thankful this little cafe is open, it is nice just to sit here by the fire but some hot food would even be better.
Susan: I wonder if there is anyone here -- it sure looks empty.
Karen: I guess if there is no one here then they won’t mind if we dry off and wait a little while for the rain to stop or at least slow down enough to drive safely.
Dolly: That may take a while with the way it is still coming down.
(a little girl is whispering from around the corner).
Faith: Grandma Joy, there are people in the cafe.
Joy: Yes, Faith they must be here for the special.
Hope: The special! Do you think so?
Faith: We haven’t had anyone here for the special in a very long time Grandma.
Joy: Well let’s go and find out -- we won’t know for sure until we do.
Hope: I hope they are here for the special.
[Joy and the girls enter as the travelers are startled].
Dolly: Oh you scared us, we were beginning to think that no one was here.
Susan: Hi.
Hope: Are you here for the special? My grandma says that she thinks you are.
Joy: Now girls let’s not rush our guests. They can take their time -- if the special is what they want, then the special is what they shall have.
Faith: Oh I hope you want the special!
Karen: It sounds very "special," please tell us about it.
Joy: Oh it is just an old family recipe.
Dolly: I think I would like to see a menu.
[the girls and Grandma Joy look at each other, as they are shocked to hear]
Joy: Well Hope, the lady would like to see a menu, please go and get three.
Faith: Yes, grandma. [she replies but looks disappointed]
Joy: Now hurry Hope, let’s not keep them waiting.
Faith: She can’t help it grandma, she was just hoping that...
Susan: That what -- we might want the "special?" I think that is what I will have. I love to try new things.
Joy: Faith, please add another log to that fire so they can get warm.
Faith/Hope: Yes!
Joy: Oh that is just wonderful, dear. We will bring that right out to you.
Karen: You know, I think that I’ll have the special too.
Dolly: Well I don’t want to be left out, I’ll have the same.
Faith: All right!
Hope: They all want the special!
Joy: Ok girls, let’s go and prepare it. It will be out shortly.
Karen: Well I hope that it doesn’t take too long to cook. I wonder what it is.
Susan: The way I see it, as long as it is hot and taste ok what difference does it make what it is. Besides, it sure did make them happy just to ask for it.
Dolly: It certainly did.
[Grandma Joy and the girls come back with a tray and pot]
Joy: Ok girls, help me with the bowls and utensils.
Hope: Yes grandma.
[the girls help set the table and Grandma Joy begins to serve soup in the bowls]
Susan: That soup looks wonderful.
Joy: Before you eat, could we offer grace?
Dolly: Sure.
Karen: Whatever you like.
Joy: Father, I thank you for your love and mercy. I thank you for bringing these weary travelers to the diner. I ask for their protection and I pray that this humble provision would sustain their needs for it is Jesus’ most precious name I do ask. Amen.
Faith: Well, go ahead. Eat.
Hope: What do you think? Good, huh?
Karen: This is wonderful, what’s in it?
Joy: Oh, just "special" things. I would be happy to share the recipe with you.
[Grandma Joy recites Bible verses as she serves the meal to the guests]
Joy: The Bible says, "taste and see that the Lord is good."
Joy: "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
[Grandma Joy offers bread and water for the guests]
Joy: "That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom."
Dolly: I think I would like to have a copy of that recipe.
Joy: Of course. Here it is.
[Grandma Joy takes a piece of stained paper out of her apron pocket that has been folded many times. She smoothes it out and gently hands it to Dolly, who begins to read the ingredients.]
Dolly: 4 c love
3 c forgiveness
5 tsp tenderness
4 qt faith
4 c loyalty
1 c friendship
6 tsp hope
1 barrel laughter
Karen: Is this some sort of joke?
Dolly: Wait, there is more. Take love and loyalty, mix thoroughly with faith. Blend in tenderness and understanding. Add friendship and hope. Sprinkle abundantly with laughter and bake with sunshine and serve daily in generous helpings.
Karen: Surely you don’t expect us to believe that these idealistic terms are ingredients for this wonderful soup and bread. They are all just abstract...
Dolly: You wanted the recipe and this is it.
Dolly: My husband and I devoted our lives to sharing the Special in this diner with weary travelers until he went home with the Lord. Then a few years ago, The girls came to live with me after their parents met the Lord at that sharp curve in the road on a night like tonight. Faith and Hope help me serve others the "Special" to show the love of Jesus so that all who choose the Special will one day not sit at a table in this little diner but at His table in heaven.
Faith: The "special" is the love of Jesus and salvation through His shed blood for remission of our sin.
Hope: What could be more special than that?
the end.
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