VT-Mustard Seed > Skits-n-Such > Harry gets the Spirit

Amanda:: (brightly) Hi, Harry! What are you up to? Isn’t it a little late to be voting for the governor?
Harry:: Very funny... but I would like to “terminate” this! I guess I’ve got lots to learn.
Amanda:: (muttering to herself) Truer words have been rarely spoken. (To Harry) What are you trying to figure out, Harry.
Harry:: I just never thought I’d have to take a test to find out what body part I am.
Amanda:: Hunh? “What body part” you are? (looking at his papers) This isn’t another of those tabloid surveys is it, Harry? Didn’t the last time you did that “prove” that your family built its own ark and that you descended from No-ah’s brother and bitter rival Yes-ah?
Harry:: I can’t remember. But I got this at church after last Sunday’s sermon.
Amanda:: Oh yes, the one about the Holy Spirit and his gifts.
Harry:: Pastor Thumper said we were all one body and that the Holy Spirit gave each one of us some gift when he comes into our lives, just like on those first Christians.
Amanda:: I get it. You want to know where you fit in, right?
Harry:: Yeah, and I’m afraid if I flunk this thing (waves the inventory) they’ll make me into something like an earlobe. This is worse for me than getting my hair caught on fire like Peter, John and the others. Do you think that hurt? It sounded pretty scary.
Amanda:: Yes, it was scary. But I don’t think the people were burned by those flames of fire. Mostly, they were given to show that God was keeping his promise to give his Holy Spirit to all who trusted in Jesus. And it didn’t matter if they were men or women, old or young, educated or not so smart—all were given the Holy Spirit so that they could tell others about Jesus and his work.
Harry:: Do you think they spoke Iraqian or Afghanistalk or Italian? My dad used to use some Italian words when he got really mad. . . that’s what he said they were, anyway. Haley said they weren’t—she usually knows, she’s smarter than I am.
Amanda:: I’m not surprised, but who’s Haley?
Harry:: She’s my twin sister.
Amanda:: Harry and Haley, that’s cute.
Harry:: Anyway, the people at the back of the church said that I could find out what gift the Holy Spirit gave me by taking this thing (waves the paper again)—I think they said it was an “inventory.” At the Burger Barn that means we have to count hamburger patties—I don’t get it.
Amanda:: It’s just a tool to figure out where God has given you special interests and abilities to help out in his family and in Jesus’ work. The questions are supposed to help you find out if you would be gifted at helping in things like teaching Sunday School, helping with the ushers, singing, visiting sick people—stuff like that.
Harry:: Could I be hands?
Amanda:: I guess so. But why hands, Harry?
Harry:: Well, because when I think of the hands of Jesus I think of a carpenter’s hands—skillful, tough and strong. They hold things tight.
Amanda:: There must be something you have in mind.
Harry:: It’s Haley.
Amanda:: Haley?
Harry:: Yes, my twin, Haley. When I tell her that Jesus loves her and that he came to save her and give her a new kind of life she just laughs and says, “Harry, that’s okay for you. If it makes you feel better to believe that, I’m glad for you. I’m too busy for that religious stuff.” It’s sad.
Amanda:: But, what about the hands?
Harry:: Well, when we were little and she had to get up in the night to go to the bathroom, she used to wake me up and make me hold her hand down the hall until I found the light. She didn’t like the dark. Deep down, I still don’t think she does. So if I could be hands, I’d reach out for her hand again. . .
Amanda:: Just like you used to. (Takes the inventory) Harry, you don’t need this.
Harry:: Why not? I want to know what body part I am!
Amanda:: That’s easy. You’re hands. Now, when can I meet your sister?

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VT-Mustard Seed

Harry Gets the Spirit

by Rev. Alan R. Wolcott