The Preacher's Wife

Sometimes, I think about what we must sound like to God.

How does He know who's in trouble and needs help?

How did He know to come to us?

What you are about to see is true.

The names have not been changed...

because nobody believes me anyway.

Beverly, it's so nice to see you.

That's my mom. The Lord blessed her with the gift of song.

She's been singing in this church her whole life.

Her father used to be the reverend here.

But he's not anymore.

My daddy is.

That's him... the one holding his head.

He's not looking too happy...

which is sort of how this whole story happened.

That's my grandma. She's staying with us for the holidays.

Everyone says she needs a man... whatever that means.

Oh, yes!

Hallelujah!

Oh, yeah!

Let the church say, 'Amen.'

Look at this, Osbert. Ninety-six dollars and a button.

Button! Who would put a button in the collection...?

Oh.

Times are hard, Saul.

The church can't pay its bills on that.

Amen.

Beloved, in our exploration of the text today...

I would like to talk to you about temptation.

Mm-hmm. Amen.

And not just the kind you find in the liquor store or someone else's bed.

I'm talking about temptation of the soul.

Mm-hmm.

The kind that just kinda, kinda...

kinda creeps up on you without you even knowing it.

God is that little voice inside that says, 'Don't give in.'

Be gone, temptation!

He knows you're tired.

That's why He says, 'Lean on me.'

He knows you're tempted.

That's why He says, 'Grab on to me...'

and together we will rise above.'

Amen.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you...

thought I needed some help in there.

Well, when I realized you were doing one of Daddy's old sermons...

I thought maybe you did.

I was...

hoping that he could make a difference, even if I can't.

If you ask me, you did even better than he did.

Really.

I appreciate your support, honey.

Father, forgive me.

I'd like to talk to you about temptation.

The kind that creeps up on you.

And that's me, Jeremiah.

Are you after Daddy's job already?

Well, this is the story. My didn't-make-it-up story.

- It was one week before Christmas. - Come on.

The Christmas I learned all about miracles.

I asked Santa Claus to bring me a brother for Christmas.

Well, Santa doesn't make those kinds of deliveries, baby.

Oh.

Can Hakim have lunch with us?

Well, I think Hakim's grandma might want him around today, you know?

But he's my best friend.

Well, maybe she won't miss him for a while.

But then you and I are going down town, okay?

Okay.

- Be careful crossing the street. - I will.

Look both ways.

Hakim!

- Don't wake his grandma. - Hakim!

Come on, come on!

Hurry up!

All right!

Let's play, Jeremiah!

Okay.

Let's build a snowman.

Come on over here. Come on over here.

Hoo! Hoo!

Child,

I'm the only help in this house.

- Mmm, mmm, mmm. - Now that was a lovely sermon.

Even better the second time.

Mama, please.

I told you about smoking in the house. You shouldn't be smoking at all.

Well, there's a lot of things I shouldn't be doing at all.

Oh, poor Hakim.

Bad enough his mama ran out, but to leave him with his grandma.

Bessie Adams can't take care of no five-year-old!

You know that woman's two days older than dirt!

Well, she won't have to much longer.

- Child Welfare's gonna take him now. - What?

Julia, they're closing the youth center today.

I have to say good-bye to the kids.

What is his problem?

There is no problem, Ma.

Yeah, and I'm the Queen of the Nile!

Julia, something's been going on in this house for months now.

I can hear it in your voice over the phone.

Mom, maybe you've been dialling the wrong number.

Oh, yeah?

Well, somebody just better get their house in order. That's all I know.

- Well, don't look at me, Ma, okay? - I'm lookin' at you!

All right. Well, Mama, you can look at me from behind.

Girl, don't be talkin' to me about your behind. I gave you that behind!

I don't even know why I bother wearing this.

It's not doing anyone any good.

And neither am I.

Lord...

I know You're especially busy this time of year, but...

I'm just a little tired.

If You get a moment, I sure could use some help.

- Mine's bigger! - Mine's bigger!

- Mine's much bigger! - Mine's bigger!

Why did you throw snow at me? It's all down my neck!

Wow.

- Huh? - Where'd you come from?

You okay?

No.

You okay?

No. Aaaaaaah!

Hide, run, Hakim, run!

- Wait a... Wait a minute! - Quick, hurry!

- Here. Hide here. - I'm here! I'm here!

I'm here!

Thank You, Dear God. Thank You.

I'm here!

- What's he doing? - Huh?

I'm here!

I'm here!

Ma, it's a snowman. A real one!

Joe Hamilton's tearin' down everything. Why's he doin' it?

Yeah, man, where're we supposed to chill at now?

They're tryin' to see us get locked up or shot or something.

Listen to me, listen. It just means you've got to work that much harder...

try that much harder to stay out of trouble.

- I'm gonna do my thing. - Peace, man.

- I'm sorry. - Where are we supposed to go now?

- I don't know, man. - You did your best, pastor.

Yeah, you tried.

Thank you, son.

Bye.

- Y'all take care of yourselves. - What do you want to do?

- I don't know. - Well, it's too cold to stay out.

Tough break, huh?

Kinda seems like they're all tough these days.

You Henry Biggs?

- Yes, I'm the pastor over at St. Matt's. - Bingo!

Every Friday, 8:00.

My name's Dudley.

Nice to meet you, Dudley. Pleasure.

You a reporter?

- No. No, no. - Social worker?

- No, I'm here in answer to your request. - My request?

For help?

Is this some kind of joke?

Uh, no, no. He doesn't make jokes.

He?

Capital 'H', capital 'E'.

I want you to know that together the three of us...

can help get you through this little crisis you're having.

- Look, I don't know who you are. - Dudley, I'm Dudley.

- Or who put you up to this. - He did.

But I'm afraid you picked the wrong day for me to be a good sport.

- Now, will you excuse me? - Sure.

Thank you.

Wow.

I'm sorry.