The Players:
Long-time friends Jemima and Beth,and Sam, a young man in his early twenties.

Beth works in a restaurant as a waitress for her best friend Jemima. With her sparkly brown eyes, big smile and typically Caribbean cheery disposition, nobody would have guessed that in her heart, Beth held a secret.
Nobody one would have guessed - not even her best friend.
But the Lord knew.

Jemima:
"It’s half-past twelve Beth. We’re a bit quiet today so you can take the afternoon off - if you’d like to."

Beth:
"Thanks, Jemima. I will. See you tomorrow then!"

Leaving, Beth closes the door behind her

Beth has not been gone long when a young man, dressed in jeans and a check shirt, comes into the restaurant and sits at a table. He looks rather anxious and a little nervous.

Jemima goes across to take his order.
Jemima:
"What can I get you, honey?"

Sam:
"Just a coffee please."

Jemima:
"Nothing to go with that?"

Sam:
"Okay then. I’ll have a crocodile sandwich and make it snappy."

Jemima laughs.

Jemima:
"Sorry, but we’re right out of crocodiles at the moment. Can I suggest the boiled ham?"

Sam:
"That’ll be fine."

Jemima:
"Won’t be long."

Sam:
"Well, I’m in no hurry."

A short time later and Jemima is back with the coffee and the sandwiches.

Sam:
"Thanks Ma'am."

Jemima:
"You are welcome."

Sam:
"Nice restaurant this. Haven’t been in one as nice as this before."

Jemima:
"Thanks. My husband bought it when it was just a shack of a place and he worked hard to transform it."

Sam:
"Well, he did a mighty fine job."

Jemima:
"More coffee honey?"

Sam:
"I think I will. Thanks."

Jemima:
"I know most of my customers by name. What’s yours?"

Sam:
"Sam. I’m not from around these parts. What’s yours Ma’am?"

Jemima:
"It’s Jemima. So what brings you to town, Sam?"

Sam:
"Well, I’m looking for my mama. I was told I might find her here."

Jemima:
"What’s your mama’s name, son?"

Sam:
"Grace Allen. Do you know her?"

Jemima:
"No. I don’t think I know of anyone by that name."

Sam:
"Well, I must be going. I have a lot to do. Nice talking to you - so long Ma’am."

Sam gets up to leave

Jemima:
"Why don’t you drop in again sometime?"

Sam:
"Yeah, I might just do that Ma’am."

The next day and Beth is back at work

Jemima:
"Did you have a nice restful afternoon yesterday?"

Beth:
"Actually, no. I decided to catch up on some chores - things that I have neglected for a long time."

Jemima:
"Well, get stuck in girl, there’s a lot to be done around here this morning too."

Not long after, Sam comes through the door and sits down at the same table that he had the day before. Beth goes over to him.

Beth:
"What can I get you?"

Sam:
"Coffee and a bagel, please. I’m in no hurry so just take your time Ma’am."

Beth goes into the kitchen and is soon back with a tray

Beth:
"Your coffee and bagel."

Sam:
"Thanks Ma’am."

Beth:
"Is there anything else?"

Sam:
"Why yes, there is. You don’t happen to know a Grace Allen, do you? I was told I might find her here. I came in yesterday afternoon and the lady over there told me she didn’t know her."

Beth:
"Oh, you mean Jemima?"

Sam:
"Yeah, Jemima. You wouldn’t by any chance know the name would you?"

Beth falls silent

Sam:
"Well. Do you know of anyone by the name Grace Allen, Ma’am?"

At that moment Jemima indicates to Beth to serve another waiting customer to Beth’s relief.

Beth:
"Sorry. I can’t help you. Will you please excuse me? I have to serve another customer?"

Beth hurries away to serve another customer and Jemima walks over to Sam

Jemima:
"I couldn’t help noticing that you seem a little concerned."

Sam:
"I am, Ma’am. Somebody told me that I might find my mama working here. I have been trying to find her for a long time now.
You see, I was adopted when I was a baby and although my adopted parents are nice kind people, I have always longed in my heart to one day find my real mama. I want to tell her that I forgive her and that I love her. The good Lord tells us to forgive. It’s so important to me to find my mama."

Jemima:
"What’s your mama’s name again?"

Sam:
"Grace Allen.
I’ve been searching for my mama now for a few years. But I’m not gonna give up. I’ve prayed so many times that the Lord would lead me to her."

Jemima:
"Good for you son. Just keep praying and believing and you will receive the answer. The good Lord will not let you down.
I can tell that you really love your mama, even though she ran out on you all that time ago."

Sam:
"I sure do. Even though I never knew her, you could say that the cords of love still bind us together. It doesn’t matter what she may have done. I have forgiven her.
Well thanks for being a good listener, Jemima I’d best be on my way."

Sam gets up and heads towards the door

Jemima:
"I hope you find your mama."

Sam:
"Yeah, I hope so too."

Beth appears at the doorway of the kitchen just as he is leaving the restaurant

Beth:
"He’s gone then?"

Jemima:
"Yeah, he’s gone. He’s such a very sad young man - told me that he’s been looking for his mama a long time. He thought she might work here. Who in their right mind would want to pass on a message like that? Building up his hopes to find his mama. He told me that he loves his mama and has forgiven her for what she did in the past."

Beth begins to weep

Jemima:
"Why are you weeping Beth? I’m, sure he’ll find his Mama, one day. God’s got His hand on the situation and Sam’s gonna find her."

Beth:
"He has found her. There is something you should know Jemima.
I am Sam’s Mama."

Jemima:
"You are Grace Allen?"

Beth:
"That’s right."

Jemima:
"Why couldn’t you have confided in me before? We have been friends for such a long time."

Beth:
"I know. But I felt so ashamed and guilty about giving up my baby for adoption. But I had no choice at the time. Sam’s father left me for another woman just after Sam was born and with no man to support us it was my only choice.
I know the Lord has forgiven me – and later I tried to find Sam. But it was too late. I had no way of tracing him. All I could do was hope and pray that maybe one day Sam would come and find me."

Jemima:
"You have nothing to be ashamed about. I would have forgiven you, we all make mistakes. That’s why Jesus had to go to that old rugged cross, to set the likes of you and me free!"

Beth:
"What am I going to do?"

Jemima:
"Sit back and wait. Sam will be back in here, you’ll see!
And it’s clear to me that you need your son as much as he needs you. Those cords of love bind you two together and can never be broken. I do believe he knows that you are his Mama - any son like that would. I saw the expression on your face when he asked you if you knew his Mama."

Beth:
"So you think he knows who I am?"

Jemima:
"Yes, I do."

Late afternoon came and Jemima is getting ready to lock up the restaurant for the night - Beth has gone to get her coat and the door opens and in walks Sam.

Jemima:
"Sorry, Sam but we are just about to close."

Sam:
"You know my Mama don’t you? She’s known here as Beth Adams, but her real name is Grace Allen."

Jemima:
"Just a minute Sam. I’ll go get her."

Jemima goes to find Beth

Jemima:
"Beth, Sam is in the restaurant - he wants to speak to his Mama. Go on - don’t be nervous, girl. Here’s the key, lock up after you have spoken to him. I’ll slip out the back door."

Beth:
"Thanks, Jemima."

Beth walks in to the restaurant and moves towards Sam.

Sam:
"Hello, Mama."

Beth:
"Hello, son. How are you Sam?"

Sam:
"I’m OK - now that I’ve found you, Mama. I just thank the Lord for bringing me here. I love you, Mama."

Their eyes fill with tears as they reach out to hug each other

Beth:
"I love you too Son. I’m so glad you came looking for me after all these years.
I longed for you to come and find me so many times. All I could do was pray to the Lord - and look how He answered! Those cords of love kept us close all the time we have been apart. I so longed to hold my son again."

Sam:
"Well mama - I’m here now and from now on we’ll never be apart. I would never have given up looking for you Mama even if it had taken me a lifetime."