The Truth Is the Light (4 page)

Chapter 5

P
astor George Landris picked up the telephone and pressed the seven numbers listed on the card he held in his hand. He'd put this call off long enough. God had been speaking to his heart about calling, but he had concluded it wasn't really necessary or truthfully really any of his business. Not really.

“Reverend Walker,” he said when the voice on the other end said hello. “This is George Landris.”

There were a few moments of silence. “Pastor Landris. How are things with you these days?” Reverend Walker finally said. “How are things going?”

“Things are going. Of course, I know you already know there's always something going on in all of our lives, whether it's something we really want to deal with or not.”

“So . . . what's on your mind?” Reverend Walker said, not one to disguise his distaste for unnecessary chitchat.

“Your son . . . Clarence. I didn't know until the other day that your son had come forward this past Sunday to be baptized.”

“And how did you happen to learn that Clarence was my son? I mean, you have thousands of members. I'm sure you're like me when it comes to knowing everything going on in your church and everybody who happens to grace the church's parking lot,” Reverend Walker said.

Pastor Landris thought about how he wanted to answer this question. He was well aware that he wasn't Reverend Walker's favorite person in Birmingham. The last conversation they'd had was when Reverend Walker called him to register his thoughts regarding one of his members, Gabrielle Mercedes, being allowed to minister through dance at the church after it was learned that she'd once been an exotic dancer. That exchange had left no question on just how far he and Marshall Walker would have to go to close the gulf that had only increased each time the two pastors spoke.

Pastor Landris began. “We generally have a New Members' orientation class on Wednesday nights. During that time, prospective new members turn in certain papers that list family information.”

“A smooth move, Pastor,” Reverend Walker said. “What away to mine potential members.” He jotted a note to himself as he spoke. “Find out who the family members are, then go after the entire family. A brilliant move. I've pondered how you've managed to grow so expeditiously over there at Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center.”

“That's not what we do here, Reverend Walker. We use that information in case of emergencies or to carry out something that may be a blessing for our members.”

“Oh, okay. Sure,” Reverend Walker said with deliberate skepticism in his voice. “So you happened to see my name in Clarence's information. Well, I'm amazed you even have time to look at every single congregant's sheet. That's true dedication to growing the Kingdom right there. True dedication. Then again, you are much younger than I am, so you have the energy to do that kind of stuff.”

Pastor Landris pressed his lips together to keep them from parting to speak on their own. This conversation was not going in the direction he had planned at all. “Reverend Walker, I don't look over the information. We gather it to put it in a database, a secure database. That way if anyone on staff has a need to pull it up, we have access to it. When Clarence's information was being entered into the system, the person entering it happened to recognize your name and thought I might like to know. I was sent a note, and I must say that I'm glad this fact was pointed out to me.”

“Oh, so let me guess,” Reverend Walker said. “You're calling because you want to let me know that you're sorry for stealing my son away from me and my church. That you never intended for something like this to happen. That you have no control over who comes to your church or over those who choose to join with you.”

Pastor Landris frowned. “No, that's not why I called at all. In fact, none of that ever even crossed my mind. But apparently it has crossed yours. Actually, I was calling to ask if you'd like to come and be a part of the Sunday night service. Maybe do a special prayer, or if you'd like to assist with the baptism of your son. I just thought that would be special and wanted to personally extend the invitation.”

“Well, Pastor Landris, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I baptized Clarence once already. Twenty-three years ago, to be exact. I took him to the water and baptized him myself. Personally, I see no reason to go through these theatrics again. But hey, it's like you told me in no uncertain terms the last time we talked. You remember . . . when I tried giving you some sound advice regarding that woman dancing in your church after she'd been dancing for the devil. You will do things the way you believe God is leading you to do it. Therefore, if God is telling you that one baptism is not always sufficient and that some people need to do it again, then knock yourself out. That's between you and God.”

“Reverend Walker, I don't know the specifics with your son. All I know is that I'm preaching the Word the way God is giving it to me to do. Matthew 9:37 lets us know that the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. I'm just out here trying to help bring in the harvest for the Kingdom of God. I don't want God holding anything against me because of things I didn't do that were assigned to me to do. The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, to recover the sight to the blind, which is not merely addressing physical blindness, to set at liberty those that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. That's what I've been called to do.”

“Oh, look at you. Over there quoting Luke 4:18–19 as Jesus read it from the Old Testament scrolls of Isaiah 49:8–9. You never fail to impress with your knowledge of the scriptures. And you are right. You're doing what you say God has given you to do. It's evident something is happening over there the way everybody is flocking to be a part of the ministry you're heading. I just pray it's godly and correct.”

“This is God's work. I'm just an assigned overseer. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein,” Pastor Landris said.

“Okay,” Reverend Walker said, looking to find a way out. “I appreciate your thinking of me. Thank you for calling and making such a wonderful appeal for me to come and be a part of your Sunday night service. But I already have plans. And as I've previously told my son, I won't make it to see this blessed event, but my prayers will be with you all.”

“Reverend Walker, let me ask you something. Have I done something to you that I'm not aware of? Have I offended you in some way that I don't know about? Because if I have, whether it was a case of commission or omission, I want to make it right. We're on the same team here. At least, I have been led to believe that we are.”

“Well, I'm on the Lord's side. So, if you're on the side of the Lord, then we're on the same team.”

“But we also know that, being on the same team, people have different positions they are assigned to play. On a football team somebody is the quarterback and someone else may be the kicker. In basketball, you have a point guard and maybe a rebounder. We may not all play the same position or have the same style, but the object of the game is to do our part to contribute to the team and, in the end, for our team to score and ultimately win the game.”

“Great analogy, Pastor. But we also need to be sure we're playing from the same playbook.”

“Absolutely,” Pastor Landris said. “And I'm using the Holy Bible, the Word of God.”

“As am I.”

“Then we're playing for the same team. It just may be our interpretation of the plays doesn't always line up, but the ultimate results should be to win those to Christ who don't know Him. And to be certain that we're applying the two greatest commandments as so wonderfully outlined by Jesus: to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love one another.”

Reverend Walker let out a quiet sigh that Pastor Landris managed to still hear. “Pastor Landris, I thank you for calling. I appreciate your extending a personal invitation to me to come Sunday night. It is short notice. I do already have a commitment. But please know that my prayers will be with you.”

“Okay, Reverend Walker. But who knows what God is doing. I am just being obedient here. God instructed me to call and extend this time to you. I've done that. If you see that you're able to make it, please know that the offer for you to come and be a part is open. I think it's wonderful that your son has repented of his sins and turned toward the Lord. That's something to celebrate, and I know the angels in Heaven are rejoicing. I'm sure you're rejoicing about this as well. I don't advocate that people go in the water just to go in the water. There is a symbolism in water baptism. As you know, Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist. For whatever reason, your son came forward to be saved. For whatever reason, he did not believe he was truly saved from the time you're referencing. That's something he is working out between him and God. He came forward to be saved and to be baptized. I'm merely doing my part. I preach the Word, give people the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, baptize them when I can, and feed them with even more of the Word of God after that. That's it.”

“Of course,” Reverend Walker said. “Of course.”

Pastor Landris hung up after they each said good-bye. “Lord, touch Reverend Walker. Touch his heart. Bless him. Only You know what's going on with him. I'm merely doing what You've told me to do. Bless his son along with all those who are scheduled to be baptized on Sunday. Bless them in their quest to know You better and to grow more and more in Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.”

Chapter 6

A
unt Cee-Cee had called Gabrielle the next day after her surprise visit, just as she said she would if Gabrielle didn't call her. Gabrielle was at Dance Ministry Tuesday night when the call came, and Bible study was Wednesday night. So she returned her aunt's call on Thursday night, and an all-too-familiar recorded voice informed her that the number had been temporarily disconnected.

Gabrielle and Zachary had been doing quite a few church-related things together, so they decided to go to the baptism on Sunday night. And since Zachary had his own practice and he wasn't on call to deliver babies, who often had their own schedules, Zachary was more available for nighttime activities. Gabrielle had always believed that people married to doctors didn't get to see them much because they were always on call. So far, Zachary's profession hadn't interfered with their budding relationship. He'd been called to the ER only twice. Things seemed to be working out just fine for them.

“Clarence!” Gabrielle called out to her friend when she saw him walking toward her after the baptism. She hurried to him and hugged him. “I am so happy for you!” she said, her feet now dangling in the air from his lifting her off the floor with excitement and enthusiasm.

“Thank you,” Clarence said with a grin on his face. “It was so great. I've been in the water before for baptism, but this time was different. This time for me was truly symbolic of a death, burial, and a resurrection.”

“I know what you mean,” Gabrielle said. “But truly, how do you feel?”

“Like a new creature. Seriously. I'm not just trying to be cliché here. I feel like I have grown wings and I could take off and fly right here and now. And on top of everything, my family came to support me: my mother, Gramps, my brother, his whole family including his wife, who is superbusy these days, my two beautiful girls, and even their mother. I couldn't believe they were all here. It's been so long since we've done anything like this. This night has been amazing. And then to look up just as I was about to step into the pool and see my father standing there, I was almost in shock. He'd told me he had a previous commitment and that he wouldn't be able to make it. So when I first saw him, I thought my eyes were merely playing tricks on me. But it was really him, standing right there as Pastor Landris and the others were about to lay me in the water.”

“That was your father?” Gabrielle asked. “That tall, slim man that came up there?”

“Yes. And I can't express to you how much it means to me to see him here for this,” Clarence said. “I didn't realize how much it would mean until I saw him. This has truly been a blessed night for me. And then you, both of you here . . . cheering me on.”

Just then, Clarence's family came up behind Gabrielle and Zachary.

“Daddy!” said eight-year-old La-la, short for LaClarence, as she ran into her father's arms.

Clarence picked her up with a smile. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“You got baptized,” La-la said. “We saw you go down in the water, then come back up.”

“Yep, I was baptized and I'm what they call saved now.” Clarence looked at his ten-year-old daughter, who merely stood and stared aloofly at him. “Valencia, aren't you going to come give Daddy a hug?”

Valencia walked over slowly to Clarence. He set La-la down and hugged Valencia, who was making it more than clear that she was not into hugging him. Clarence smiled as he rubbed both his daughters' hair, which had been curled instead of their normal style of pigtails or ponytails.

Zenobia came over and hugged Clarence. “That was so special. I can't tell you how proud I am about what you've done. God is so good! I don't care what anybody says: God still hears and answers prayers. If we just don't become weary in well-doing.”

“Amen to that,” Gramps said, slowly making his way toward Clarence. “I told you a long time ago that your arms are too short to box with God. Didn't I tell you?”

Clarence hurried to his grandfather and hugged him. “Gramps,” was all he said. He waved as Gabrielle and Zachary waved good-bye to him and strolled away.

“Boy, don't go getting all sentimental on me, now. You'll have me over here crying, and it just don't look right for an old man to be crying.” Gramps patted his grandson on his back. “Your mama was right. That was a right mighty special service we just witnessed in there. I see even your daddy made it. That's great. That
is
great.”

“Yeah, that was something, wasn't it?” Clarence turned and gave his older brother a quick hug. “Knowledge, you wouldn't by chance happen to know anything about what may have caused Daddy to change his mind, now, would you?”

“Who me?” Knowledge said. “I spoke with him, but the last I heard, he was busy already and wasn't going to make it. I was just as surprised as everyone else here when he stepped up there.”

“I'm sorry I didn't make it to dinner today,” Isis said as she hugged Clarence. “I wanted to be here for your baptism, so I took care of some business earlier today in order for me to be able to come tonight.”

At five foot four, thirty-three-year-old Isis was a sheer knockout. She worked out, without fail, at least an hour each and every day, which was evident by her toned body. No one would guess just six months ago she'd delivered a seven pound, six ounce baby boy, Dante. She'd worked right up until the moment she'd gone into labor. Then she returned to work a mere three weeks following his birth, despite both her mother's and her mother-in-law's thunderous objections.

“You young women are going to pay for the way you don't heed to old folks' tried and true advice when it comes to things like this,” her mother, Dionne, had said. “Trying to do too much too fast. Both my grandmother and mother told me that a woman needs to stay in the house for six weeks after giving birth. Now, I admit I didn't believe it to that extent because I definitely went out of the house after about two weeks. But I wouldn't have dared thought about going back to work after only three weeks. No way.”

“Your body needs time to fully heal,” Zenobia had argued.

Neither of the two mothers' words had dissuaded her from returning to work quickly. Isis loved being a lawyer. She loved being victorious in her cases, not just for her clients but for the feeling of accomplishment it brought to her. Of course, the side benefits for all of her hard work, besides what she could give and do for her family, were luxury items like the pewter pindot leather, front-pocket Versace purse she was carrying and brand-named shoes such as the peach peep-toe Christian Louboutin presently gracing her feet.

Isis was happy to see that Clarence was turning his life around. Isis and Clarence had known each other for a long time, since Clarence was twenty-three and Isis was twenty-one. In fact, the two of them had met first. She and Clarence had talked for a few months, as friends. They'd hung out together, even gone out a couple of times, not officially calling it dating, just a movie and getting a bite to eat here and there. They even went dancing at a few clubs. But she appeared more interested in Clarence than Clarence seemed interested in her. Then one night, she happened to be at Clarence's apartment when his older brother, Knowledge, stopped by.

Knowledge was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on her. That was the word he'd used when he'd talked to Clarence about her—smitten. Clarence had laughed at his brother and teased him about his possibly being sprung from jump street. Isis was about to start law school when she and Knowledge met. Knowledge couldn't believe the beautiful, light-skinned woman standing regally before him, with a killer smile and a warm, enchanting laugh, was also smart and hopelessly engrafted with an abundance of pure, raw drive and ambition.

Clarence had assured his brother that he and Isis weren't in a
relationship
relationship—that they were only good friends. So when Knowledge let it be known he wanted to date her, Clarence hadn't
verbally
objected.

Knowledge convinced Isis to marry him before she graduated law school. He supported her career path one hundred percent. Upon learning she'd passed the bar exam, she also learned she was pregnant with twin girls. When daughters Jasmine and Dominique were only two weeks old, she'd received a call from a firm she'd interviewed with eight months earlier and desperately wanted to work for. They'd asked her if she could possibly start the following week. Without telling them she'd just delivered twin babies, she'd enthusiastically said she could. That action eight years ago had been the beginning of her pattern of returning to work after her babies turned three weeks. Of course, at the time, she didn't realize it would become a pattern.

Despite her efforts not to, she'd gotten pregnant again with their now-five-year-old son, Deon (named in a phonetic way after her mother). Because she'd asked for and been granted a particularly high-profile case, when she learned she was pregnant with Deon, she knew she couldn't use her pregnancy as an excuse. The case was set for trial a month after Deon was born. She more than proved to her superiors that a woman could still be a mother and be counted on to do the job she was hired to do at the same time. She'd gone back to work when Deon was three weeks old, went to trial that following week, and won the case hands down, bringing to the firm a lot of income in legal fees with that judgment.

Isis was truly a powerhouse, and anyone who met her instantly knew it. So, knowing just how dedicated his sister-in-law was to her work, Clarence was beyond touched when she showed up for this occasion. He knew she'd deemed this night highly special when she'd made such a tremendous effort and sacrifice to be present for it.

As for what changed with his father that either allowed or forced him to come, Clarence didn't have a clue. But he decided to heed one of his grandfather's old and wise sayings and not “look a gift horse in the mouth.”