Rivka.
The Dropped Stitch.
Sara!
Yes, Father.
You must take me to that woman's house.
What are you talking about? Father, what woman?
That Rivka woman.
Why do you want to go there, Father?
I must speak to her scoundrel husband.
That blasphemer had my son arrested.
Father,
you know the Romans have been looking for Dawud for months.
Last night was horrible, but Father,
Dawud has been breaking the law.
We all know that.
Then how did the Romans know where to find him?
Don't argue with me!
Take me there.
I will take you Father.
Please come in.
Moussa,
Ayoub, welcome.
Come in.
Debra, would you bring some refreshments for our guests?
Here, Father.
Thank you.
Do you have news concerning Dawud?
We have no news,
and I will not eat or drink in this house.
Where is Haroon? Where is your husband?
He's not here.
He left early to see the governor.
Gloating with the governor?
Oh, I'm sure I don't know what you mean!
You were there last nigh, huh? Stayed until the end, didn't you?
Please!
Hush boy!
We are very sorry about Dawud's arrest.
Haroon is looking for an opportunity to bring it up today.
Foolish woman.
He brought it up in the first place.
How else were the Romans to know where to find my son?
The entire town knew where your family was last night.
It was common knowledge.
The Romans didn't need an informer.
You have no right to speak to me like this,
or to speak of my husband in this way.
A curse on you and your blaspheming husband!
Father!
You curse me?
After all I've done for your family?
You have done nothing but bring trouble to me and my family.
Auntie Rivka, I'm sorry. I should not have brought him.
You think I am so helpless I could not have gotten here without you? Do you? Do you?
You and your husband think you are so much better than everyone.
You think a little money makes you better.
You are a shame to us. A shame!
You are only shaming yourself, Moussa.
You and your crazy curses!
Mistress.
Mistress.
You have another visitor.
Who is it, Debra?
The widow, Noura.
Um,
please show her in,
will you?
You do not look yourself.
What is this about?
I saw Moussa and Ayoub leaving as I came up to the gate. They did not even stop to greet me.
Oh, Noura.
I,
I'm so ashamed I don't even want to talk about it.
Come, come. It cannot be all that bad. What is the problem?
Oh!
Now I've dropped that stitch.
And this is for Sara's baby.
Stop and pick up the stitch or the whole piece will be ruined.
What happened between you and Moussa?
Moussa
is upset about Dawud's arrest,
he lost his temper and he said some terrible things about my husband.
And then I lost my temper.
I should know better.
Everyone's upset of course. Do not be so hard on yourself.
I wanted to be angry at him.
I wanted to say mean and... hateful things to him.
And I did.
Moussa blames Haroon for Dawud's arrest
and he blames me because his wife and daughters follow the Messiah.
I can't fix this!
Set it aside for now.
But Rivka,
I know what you would tell me if I were in this situation with someone.
What's that?
You would tell me to forgive him.
Yes, I suppose I would.
It is just like the dropped stitch.
If you do not face your situation and forgive Moussa,
the hole that your bitterness is making will get bigger and bigger.
It will ruin the peace of God in your heart. Do not waste another minute on anger or bitterness.
Remember what you told me Jesus said... about people hating us for His sake?
You are in good company being mistreated for the sake of our Messiah.
You are right.
But it's hard sometimes just the same.
But you told me more.
That Jesus even said that it was a terrible thing to have everyone speak well of you.
I was shocked by the things you told me.
His words made no sense to me at first.
Of course.
I need to pray for Moussa
and find a way to bless him.
Ah.
Yes.
Thank you, Noura.
I had allowed myself to go back to my old way of looking at life and at people and at Moussa.
Why don't you pray for him and forgive him right now dear Rivka?
Father,
forgive me for becoming so angry at Moussa.
Lord I bless him in your name.
Bless him with your grace.
Bless him with a revelation of your love for him.
Bless him with healing for his blindness.
Oh Lord,
I forgive him for every hateful thing he has said about me
and my husband. I forgive him
for humiliating
and embarrassing me.
I forgive him for all the hurtful things he has said or done to me.
And I thank you
that, as
I forgive him, I am assured of your forgiveness.
Thank you, Lord!
Glory to God. Praise you Lord.
Thank you, dear friend.
Thank you
for challenging me to truly follow our Lord.
Now,
I feel that I must go see Moussa and apologize to him for having lost my temper.
Do you think that is wise Rivka?
Perhaps you should let it rest for now. He will still be upset.
No.
I was wrong.
I am responsible for my part in this matter.
I don't know why. I just feel I need to go now.
Then I'll go with you.
I can at least pray for you.
What happened? Father is so upset.
He's angry.
He created quite a stir.
I'm so sorry.
Mother was very distressed when you left. I think she's asleep now.
The married couple!
Come in!
Yacoub has just come from the prison.
How is he?
How is Mother?
She's much worse this morning.
Oh Sara.
How can I help?
He's been beaten up pretty badly. But he's holding up all right.
Any news of the charges?
Sedition against Rome.
God help him.
They'll execute him for that.
Dawud has no illusions.
He knows what's coming.
How are his parents taking this?
Not well.
His father is
agitated,
and his mother….
Mother.
What do you need? What can we do?
I don't,
I don't know, child.
I feel so weak,
weak.
You must rest.
Where, where is your father?
He's in the front room. He's all right. Just take care of yourself.
Auntie Noura.
Auntie Rivka!
Hello Ayoub.
I didn't expect to see you again so soon.
I know.
I'm sorry about this morning.
Who is that, Ayoub?
Whose voice is that?
It's, ah,
Auntie Noura and Auntie Rivka, Father.
What?
Oh, a plague on it!
What are they doing here?
I came to apologize, Moussa.
I lost my temper this morning
and I am sorry.
Oh God help!
Mother.
Yacoub, Ayoub! Father, help!
Mother? Mother!
No!
No, Mother, come back! Come back! Oh, Mother! I need you!
Laila!
God, no.
Describe the relationship in the story that is most interesting to you.
In what way is bitterness like a dropped stitch?
Is anger or bitterness ever justified in God’s eyes? Why or why not?
As followers of Christ how can we deal with death?
Do you have any unresolved bitterness toward anyone?
