Continuing the dialogue.....
Lost In Yonkers
Dear Friend,
As a theater ministry, Acacia seeks to offer high quality theater, which affords the opportunity to view one's life in relationship to the fullness of God's truth. We pray that our shows offer an occasion for thanksgiving, growth, enjoyment and understanding. Without detracting from the theater experience, which we hope you enjoyed, and obviously without foreknowledge of topics dealt with in the "Talk Back," we would like to continue the dialogue by sharing some of the thoughts that the board of directors discussed after reading this play.
I once was lost, but now I’m found.
Those thoughtful words from Amazing Grace, by John Newton, can add a bit of insight to tonight’s play. All of us, at one time or another feel lost and off-track. We try to cope in various ways. Lost in Yonkers provides several examples:
Grandma is hard and stubborn. She’s toughened herself against the trials in her life: seeing her father killed when she was twelve; burying a husband and two children; going through most of her life with a painful, crushed foot! Not to mention, she had to care for a daughter who was “not quite right”!! As she says, “Dot’s how I vas raised. To be strong…You don’t survive in this vorld vitout being like steel.”
Eddie is fiercely self-reliant, except when he is nobly assisting someone else. He points out, “Never take things from people, because you’ll always be obligated.”
Gert is a victim of her fear, subject to all the attacks and ailments that come, as she hides away. “Gert used to talk in her sleep…until she learned to sleep holdin’ her breath.”
Louie is a tough survivor, with moxie, and has learned to manipulate circumstances, to his own benefit. His response to his mother’s punishment is, “I learned not to cry, and after a few times in the closet, I toughened up.”
Bella is aware that she’s different, and has learned to accept it, and live with it, and be happy…”I know I get confused sometimes… and frightened. But if I’m a child, why can’t I be happy like a child? Maybe I’m as smart as a child, but some children are smarter than grown-ups. Some grown-ups I’ve seen are very stupid. And very mean.”
Matthew 13:3-8 records the parable Jesus told about the sower sowing seeds:
Behold, a sower went forth to sow. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them. But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
With whom do you identify? Grandma – the wayside? That’s a walkway packed solid by constant traffic. No place to grow, or take root. You might be one who hunkers down, like Gert – in the stony places, satisfied that you’ve protected yourself. Or maybe, like Louie – in the thorns; trying one get rich scheme after another, deceiving himself most of all. Hopefully, you’re like Bella – the good ground. She knows that she is weak, and that her strength is in those who will help her.
Should you discover that your heart is not good ground, God is more than willing to work your soil, if you ask Him. He’ll remove the stones, clear the weeds, and till that hard ground to make it plantable for His many blessings. But first, you must ask Him to be your Gardener.
In this Season of Hope, we at Acacia hope and pray that you know the Lord Jesus Christ, in a personal way. If you don’t know Jesus, meeting him is as simple as, A…B…C:
* Admit that you’re a sinner: Someone who has turned from God, and His purpose for your life. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans. 3:23 & Romans 6:23
* Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and very God Himself; that because of His death, burial, and resurrection, He is the only hope of salvation. Ask Him to be your Savior, and Lord.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 16:31 & Romans 10:13
* Confess to others your belief and trust in Christ.
If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
If you don’t know Jesus and would like to hear more about Him, please see an Acacia representative before leaving the theater or contact our office at (414) 963-9221 or email us at acacia@acaciatheatre.com.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
That’s Moxie!
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Acacia Theatre Company
