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TOGETHER ALL ALONE

MAIN POINT
It's hard for many of us to admit need. Perhaps we're afraid of being a nuisance or afraid people will fail us, or we're just determined to be self-sufficient. The causes can be many and intertwined with each other. In this case Clark wants to keep the appearance that everything is fine. It's his way of controlling the situation. He can't control his wife's situation, but at least he can maintain control at home. That way he doesn't have to face the crushing reality that life really can't be controlled. He even pressures Jenny to feel good so he can keep his facade in place. His is a sort of compensatory self-sufficiency. He needs to feel in control of something.

What he doesn't realize is that his determination is hurting others. He has denied his friends the opportunity to minister to him. They need the chance to give, but he won't let them. He has denied his daughter the need to hurt. His goal of keeping control has surpassed the needs of those around him. His self-sufficiency is a form of self-centeredness.

CHARACTERIZATION
1) Clark is a well-meaning dad. He's attempting to do a good job of parenting under these trying circumstances, but he's barely holding on. He's sincere, determined, but with an undercurrent of anxiety. He needs to allow the pain of this situation to have its way without downplaying it or pressuring others (see above). In the first scene, Clark should appear harried and haggard but act as though he's got everything under control. Only at the end do we see him admitting his own fear - and in doing so helping his children with their fears. 2) John is quieter and more mature than Bryan. He processes things internally and thinks a lot. He's trying to take on his share of the burden by being a surrogate mom, and sometimes dad, with his siblings. He understands, better than the others, the seriousness of the situation. 3) Bryan is a bit of a ham and a lot more outgoing than John. Although he's becoming a young adult, he still has a childlike need for his mother and doesn't know quite what to do with it. He expresses his anxiety verbally and externally. 4) Jenny is a bundle of nerves and doesn't know why. She needs mom and experiences her absence with physical symptoms. Accordingly, she's a little whiny and difficult to handle. 5) Joe and Sara are sincere and devoted friends. Joe tends to be amazed at how "well" everything is going, but Sara is skeptical, sensing some denial going on.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1) This sketch can be used two ways. If you stop after the first scene, you have self-sufficiency illustrated. That might be enough to get you into the topic. If you want to resolve it a little with a softer finish, use Scene 2. That's where Clark budges a bit. If you want to be really creative, perform Scene 1, proceed with the sermon or Scripture or song, and then come back and finish with Scene 2 at the end. It could have a nice effect. 2) Blocking four around a table can be difficult. If you don't look out, you'll have cast members with their backs to the audience. You can help this by "cheating out" a little. Have them sit a little more open to the audience than they would in a true home setting. It may feel awkward on stage, but the audience will appreciate being able to see everything. 3) Don't try to do a separate setting for Joe and Sara. Just have them sit at the now vacated kitchen table. 4) If you choose to do Scenes 1 and 2 back to back, there's not a terribly long time for the children to change into pajamas. It's all right if the guys don't change or if they just put on sweats instead of traditional pajamas. Jenny should have plenty of time. 5) Don't forget the doorbell or knock sound, and practice the timing repeatedly. 6) The tint of blue makes the late-night scene even better. If you can't manage blue gels, dim the lights a little for a softer feel.

RELATED SCRIPTURES
First Corinthians 12:21-26 illustrates the interdependence we need. None of us is self-sufficient. The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18 shows the difference between a person who admits need and a person who doesn't. In Revelation 3:17, the church in Laodicea is rebuked for having no needs. Galatians 6 talks about the balance between each one's carrying his own load and the bearing of each other's burdens.

RELATED THEMES
Besides self-sufficiency, this sketch will also fit nicely with tragedy, sickness or the question of why bad things happen. You could also approach it from the angle of ministry and service to others, by showing how self-sufficiency or pride disable the interdependence we should have in the body of Christ.