Stepping Down (23 page)
Authors: Michelle Stimpson
Two months later
Mark’s
father made good on his promise. The particulars weren’t disclosed on the
newscast. All Mark and Sharla knew was that one night they were snuggled up on
the couch watching the news when the ugliest mug shot on record flashed across
the screen announcing the capture of Dedrick Wilson, also known as “Boomie,”
after a two-hour stand-off with police. They also mentioned his connection with
the shooting that caused Mark’s accident.
“My
gosh! They caught him!” Sharla sat up, shrieking.
“Amen
and amen,” Mark praised.
“Babe,
that’s the last of it! No more delays from the insurance companies!”
As
soon as Sharla settled back into the warm place underneath his neck, he said,
“I told you God would work it out.”
“You
sure did,” she cooed.
“And
you was all tryin’ to send stuff overseas.”
She
slapped his stomach. “I was scared. And that was a long time ago. I’m better
now.”
She
told the truth. Since they’d been having family devotions, both Sharla and
Amani had begun taking turns studying to share insight during their sacred
gathering time. Sharla liked the Psalms best, elaborating on God’s protection
and love for His people. Mark had noticed a difference in her ability to let go
of the small things.
But
as great as it was to have his wife growing in her faith, Mark had to admit to
himself that he was even more godly proud to see Amani rightly dividing the
word, too. No doubt, God had placed Amani under Mark’s roof to be trained for
the call to preach. He didn’t want to scare his son with that revelation, but
even the new youth minister who’d replaced Kit, made mention of Amani’s insight
when they discussed the Bible.
“He’s
a chip off the old block,” Mark was told. To which he smiled like a man who’d
just watched his son score the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl.
Once
school had resumed, the family devotions had to be moved to the evenings, three
times a week. Amani’s gift, however great, was not fully functional at six
forty-five in the morning.
With
the Carter devotions set in stone at eight-thirty on Mondays, Tuesdays, and
Thursdays, Mark had good reason to be out of the office and home at a decent
hour. He kept the Wednesday and Sunday sermons divvied up between the other
preachers on staff, which kept him free to spend time with God alone and
shepherd at home, as well as edify the other men who took the pulpit. Building
on one another’s sermons was proving to be one of the most beneficial outcomes
to sharing the load. Even though it meant neither of them could expect the
church to grow at exponential rates as it had when Mark was the only one
bringing the word, the message of Christ, the meat they doled out to the
maturing body of Christ at New Vision, and the move of the Spirit in the
congregation was unmistakably powerful.
Sharla
would just have to wait on that dream house. Patiently. She wasn’t quite where
Mark wanted her to be yet, but he realized he had to be patient with her, too.
As the Lord softened her heart, she’d been a better sport about Amani casually getting
to know Bria. They’d visited her in rehab twice, and on both occasions, Sharla
handled the delicate situation well.
With
his house back in order, Mark could say, in retrospect, that God had kept His
promise in Romans 8:28 to work all things, whether good or bad, together for
the good of them who love the Lord. Stepping down had been the worst thing and
the best thing that could have ever happened to hone the vision God had given
him. Christ be forever glorified!
The End
If you have
yet to start your journey in Christ, let me encourage you to seek Him. Seek Him
in all of his glory, all of His love, and His wisdom. If you feel the tug in
your heart, Thank Him for His goodness, ask Him for forgiveness, and invite Him
to live in you. He stands knocking on the door of your heart and is more than
pleased to come in and be your Lord (Rev. 3:20).
Click here to be notified when Michelle’s
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* * * * *
Want More?
Get to know Mama B better in her series of
novellas.
Mama B: A Time to Love
-
The good folks at Mt. Zion Baptist are
doing their best to keep the church flowing smoothly while Pastor Phillips
takes time off to be with his wife in her final days. Beatrice "Mama
B" Jackson even opens her home so that the women's groups can continue to
meet faithfully after some “rascal” stole the copper from the church’s air conditioning
unit. With her semi-estranged granddaughter and great-grandson staying in the
guest room, Mama B soon has a full house.
When
the interim preacher and his wife start touting messages that don’t line up
with the Bible, Mama B can only take so much of this foolishness. Soon enough,
she realize that there is much more at stake than she or anyone else at Mt.
Zion ever imagined. It’s time to speak.
Mama B: A Time to Dance
-
Mama B thought her life would return to
normal, but when her nephew, Derrick, comes knocking on her door, she has to
reconsider. Though she’s not known for housing marital fugitives, she realizes
Derrick is looking for more than a place to stay; he needs help finding his way
back to God.
Of
course, help is almost Mama B’s middle name until Henrietta crosses the line
with her accusations about Mama B’s intentions with the recently widowed
pastor. Mama B isn’t looking for romance with either the pastor or her suitor,
Dr. Wilson—but will love come looking for her?
Mama B: A Time to Love
-
Mama B was supposed to be helping people
at the community food pantry, but Eunice needs more than just a bag full of
canned goods. Though Eunice has plenty money, she can’t seem to manage what
matters most in life. Maybe if she stopped all the “cigarette-ment” (as
Henrietta says) she might turn out all right.
Dr.
Wilson’s not letting up on his pursuit of Mama B. Will he come on too strong
and scare her away, or will Mama B throw caution to the wind and fall in love
at age 72?
Catch
up with Mama B again in the small town of Peasner, TX. She’s still servin’
wisdom and humor as only she can.
Available in paperback and ebook!
Michelle
Stimpson’s works include the highly acclaimed
Boaz Brown
,
Divas of
Damascus Road
(National Bestseller), and
Falling Into Grace,
which
has been optioned for a movie of the week. She has published several short
stories for high school students through her educational publishing company at
WeGottaRead.com.
Michelle
serves in women's ministry at her home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. She
also ministers to women and writers through her blog. She regularly
speaks at special events and writing workshops sponsored churches, schools,
book clubs, and educational organizations.
The
Stimpsons are proud parents of two young adults and one crazy dog.
Stimpson
Fiction
I Met Him in the Ladies’ Room (Novella)
Last Temptation
(Starring “Peaches” from
Boaz Brown
)
Trouble In My Way
(Young Adult)
Non-Fiction
Did I Marry the Wrong Guy? And other
silent ponderings of a fairly normal Christian wife
Uncommon Sense: 30 Truths to Radically
Renew Your Mind in Christ
Visit Michelle online:
www.Facebook.com/michelle.stimpson2