“As the years go by, we pray that You would give us wisdom to raise this child so that if he should have a thought of turning away from You, his thoughts will once again be redirected in the way he should go. Teach our son the true joy that comes from serving the only true Lord. Now Father, I ask that You show me the right way to raise this man child. Because I don’t have any experience in raising a child from birth to adulthood. I was in and out of my other two children’s lives when they were small children. So, I need Your guidance.
“In the blessed name of Jesus, we give Isaac Walker Junior back to You and ask that You watch over him all the days of his life.”
And God was listening…
1
Present day
Pastor Isaac Walker smiled as he looked at the wounded and weary man standing before him. He’d been doing his part to set the captives free for more than thirty years now. “Repeat after me, Eric,” Isaac said as the man lifted his arms. “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died and rose again so that I might be saved.”
The first time Isaac recited the sinner’s prayer in order to help someone with the salvation process, he had not yet been saved, nor had he recited the words for himself. Isaac had been serving out his prison sentence, doing his thing in prison, just as he’d done it on the streets. Then T-Bone wanted to challenge him for his spot. Isaac had been ready and willing to kill T-Bone, but that was the night the Lord visited him for the first time. Isaac received a guided tour of hell and realized that killing was not as cut and dried as it had once seemed.
From that moment on, he’d wanted nothing to do with death, only the abundant life that the Lord brings when He comes into a person’s life and makes them brand new.
“I believe… I believe,” Eric said as tears streamed down his face.
“Then go and sin no more,” Isaac told him as he anointed the man’s head with oil.
Eric’s eyes widened as he looked like he’d just been given a gift that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep. “Is it really that simple?”
Eric was one of those executive types. He’d been on the dean’s list all through school, then went to Duke University. He’d majored in engineering and found a great deal of success in the corporate world. He had accomplished everything that Isaac wished for his youngest son, Isaac Walker Jr, or as they called him, Ikee.
The only problem with Eric’s story of success was that he’d never included the Lord, Jesus in any of it. But he married a young lady, who after living with Eric for three years and dealing with his verbal abuse and his adultery, she had turned to the Lord. Eric had started attending church as a last ditch effort to save his marriage. He never thought there was anything more to it than getting up and going to church on Sunday morning. But he was feeling the difference now, way down deep in his soul. And Eric didn’t want this feeling of unconditional love and peace that passes anything he could understand to ever go away.
“Yes Eric, it is that simple.”
Eric wiped the tears from his face. “I’m saved? You mean it?”
“God has saved you, Eric. He’s not likely to change His mind about that,” Isaac assured Eric just before sending him to the prayer room to have an altar worker pray with him again and give him a Bible and information concerning the Bible classes Isaac developed, along with his wife Nina, for new converts.
“Thank you,” Eric said as he headed to the prayer room with the altar worker.
Isaac loved watching a new convert come to the knowledge of the unconditional love of Christ. The altar used to be filled with gang bangers, drug lords and drug addicts giving their lives to the Lord. But in the past few years, not many came down to the altar, Isaac attributed that to progress and growth. His ministry had evolved and he was now serving the masses instead of only the hood.
Life was good because Isaac was bringing souls into the kingdom and after thirty-one years of marriage, his wife was still in love with him. His son, Donavan had come back to the church and was now his co-pastor. Isaac only had one problem, and this time it had nothing to do with his daughter, Iona. She was thriving in her career as a defense attorney and in her marriage to Johnny, a police-detective-turned-FBI-agent who was also the head elder at the church.
No, Isaac’s problems were more focused on his namesake. Isaac Walker Jr. was only fifteen years old, but he was just as rebellious as Isaac had been at that age. Which was the reason Isaac was so worried. He knew the things he’d been involved in at Ikee’s age and only prayed that Ikee hadn’t gotten himself caught up.
Shaking his head as he walked toward his office, Isaac remembered the day he’d dedicated Ikee back to the Lord. He sent up a quick prayer on his son’s behalf, reminding God of His promises. He also prayed for his wife. Because if Isaac’s instincts were right, their youngest son wasn’t headed for anything good. Isaac would just have to trust that they had put enough God in him to get him back in line before he went too far.
As he opened the door to his office, an involuntary smile crossed his lips at the sight of Donavan. His son was six feet, the same height as his old man. Donavan had the same chocolate complexion as Isaac. As a matter-of-fact, all three of his children had his chocolate kiss complexion and deep dimples. However, Donavan had his mother’s hazel eyes and small button nose. Donavan was standing near his desk talking with Diana, the church secretary, who was also now his wife.
“Two of my favorite people. Making birthday plans?” Isaac asked as he sat down on the couch that had been placed directly underneath a huge picture window. Isaac still remembered the day that he’d caught Donavan and Diana in a compromising position when he’d gone to his son’s condo unannounced one day. Isaac has not used his key to Donavan’s or Iona’s place since that day. Even though Donavan and Diana’s relationship started the wrong way, Donavan had eventually done right by Diana and married her. There was no denying the love these two had for each other. They brought joy to Isaac’s heart each time he saw them together.
“Diana is being stubborn,” Donavan told his father. “She doesn’t want to do anything for her birthday.”
“What’s so wrong with wanting to go home and spend the day with my family?” Diana shoved her husband. “Amari is baking a cake for me. And our son has offered to make tacos. It will be fun.”
Donavan just shook his head. “At least I didn’t marry a high maintenance woman.” He pulled her in his arms and kissed her.
“Get a room,” Iona said as she came through the door and sat down next to her father.
“Shut up, little sis. You’re just mad because Johnny is out of town this week, and you don’t have anyone to cuddle with.”
“I can cuddle with those three kids Johnny left me with.” Iona rolled her eyes. “He gets to gallivant all over the country being Mr. FBI while I’m stuck here with our kids.”
“You love every minute of the time spent with my grandchildren, so I don’t know why you’re being so contrary about it.” In years past, Isaac wouldn’t have been surprised about his daughter’s comment. She was her daddy’s girl, and didn’t take much mess. Back in those days she had managed to become a successful attorney, but she was so unhappy that she mistreated people without giving it a second thought. Since giving her life to Christ and marrying Johnny, Iona had changed and was much more easygoing. So, Isaac knew that something was bothering her.
“Of course I love my kids, Dad. I wouldn’t trade those little monsters for anything in the world. But since Johnny transferred to the FBI and started doing all this traveling, I’ve had to cut my work hours down to thirty hours a week so the kids won’t feel as if they’re being raised by a nanny.”
“The kids are young. I think you’re making the right decision.” Donavan put his hand in Diana’s as he finished, “Truthfully, if Diana wasn’t working at the church and able to get off work in time to pick the kids up from school, I don’t think I’d want her to work at this stage in our lives.”
“Careful now, h
on, you’re sounding like a chauvinist,” Diana told him.
Donavan shrugged. “I’m just being real. There’s not a man alive who wouldn’t want his wife at home taking care of the kids while he goes out and earns the money. Isn’t that right, Dad?”
Isaac shook his head while laughing at Donavan. “You’re not getting me in this fight. You started it, so either back your way out or just go on and say I’m sorry now.”
“He needs to apologize. Because Donavan is straight tripping. This is not the eighteenth century. Women want careers just as much as men do,” Iona told him.
“Yeah, and look at how our society has turned out since mothers decided they didn’t need to be at home with the kids.”
Ignoring Donavan, Diana told Iona, “I’m with you. Because I would lose my mind if I had to stay in the house all day/every day with our children. Working at the church is my way of escaping.”
Iona high-fived Diana. “You said it, sister-in-law. And if Johnny don’t get himself back here with the quickness, I’m about to plan my escape.”
“You just want Johnny to suffer and give up a career he’s worked years to build, simply because you’re bored. That’s not right, sis.”
With fire in her chestnut eyes, Iona kissed her father on the forehead, then got up. “I’d better take my children home, put on my apron and whip up something good to eat, before I say another word that might get me stoned up in here.”
“Iona, come on. Don’t go away mad.” Isaac didn’t like it when his children fought. Especially not now, because he needed their help.
“I can’t deal with him,” she pointed an angry finger toward Donavan, “judging me, like I’m such a terrible person for still wanting a life even though I’m married with kids.”
With an apologetic look on his face, Donavan put an arm around Iona. “You’re right, sis. I have no right to judge you. I know that you love your family and I also know how much you gave up for the good of your family.”
Iona twisted her lips as she contemplated whether or not to forgive her brother. He tightened the arm around her. “Come on, sis. Forgive me or I’m going to tickle you like I used to do when we were kids.”
Smiling at the memory, Iona jerked away. “Okay, big head, I’ll let you off the hook this time.”
Donavan laughed as he said, “Drama queen.”
“Golden boy,” Iona spat back at him.
Isaac clasped his hands together and leaned forward. “Now that we’re all friends again, can the two of you sit back down? I need to talk to you before your mother comes through that door.”
“What’s up? Are you planning a surprise for your anniversary?” Iona sat back down next to her father and Donavan sat in the chair across from the sofa.
Isaac shook his head. “We have at least four months before our anniversary. No, what I want to talk about is Ikee. His teacher asked if something traumatic happened to Ikee recently. I’m not aware of anything, so I need to know if he has talked to either one of you about what he’s going through.”
“What kind of trauma do they think he’s experienced?” Donavan asked with a quizzical expression on his face.
“That’s what I’m trying to find out,” Isaac told them. “I’m receiving calls from the school because he’s being disruptive and skipping class. Matter-of-fact, he’s even been skipping out on church the last few Sundays. I simply don’t know what has gotten into the boy.”
Donavan shook his head. “I had no idea. But Ikee doesn’t say much to me these days. He thinks I’m too”—Donavan did air quotes with his fingers—“ na about the Bible.”
Iona looked a bit guilty as she said, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something, Dad. But to be honest, I didn’t know how you would take the news. You’re right though, Ikee has talked to me about something that he’s dealing with.”
“Thank God.” Isaac breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad he talked to somebody in this family, because I can’t get a word out of him.”
“I don’t think you’re going to like what I have to say… I guess that’s why I hadn’t told you before now.” Iona took a deep breath and continued, “See Dad, Ikee has only known you as a preacher and as a good man who feeds the homeless, prays with the hopeless and introduces people in need of a savior to Jesus. So, he was confused when he started hearing all these stories about how you used to be the king of the streets.”
“But Ikee knows that I used to be in the life. I don’t understand why hearing something like that would bother him.”
“I really don’t think Ikee has paid much attention to our conversations through the years… especially since we don’t discuss your past during Sunday dinners. And you only make general statements about it during your sermons most recently. But Ikee met up with a couple of bad-news guys who broke your past all the way down for him. Now Ikee thinks he should be a gangster rather than a church boy.”
Isaac exploded out of his seat. “And you failed to tell me any of this, because…?”
“It’s Ikee, Dad. I didn’t think he was actually going to hang out on a street corner. I mean, come on, he’s a suburban kid.”
“Okay, Iona, you tell me then… what has your brother been doing while he skips school and ditches church… before you answer, keep in mind that this is my son were talking about.
As if a lightbulb came on for Iona, her eyes went wide as she said, “I’m sorry, Daddy. I guess I wasn’t thinking of it that way.”
“What are you sorry about?” Nina asked as she stepped into the room. She was five feet with heels on, and since Isaac was a whole foot taller, he had to bend down in order to kiss her. “What are you harassing Iona about?”
After the Rain
Book 7
Rain Series
Other Books by Vanessa Miller
After the Rain
How Sweet The Sound
Heirs of Rebellion
Feels Like Heaven
Heaven on Earth
The Best of All
Better for Us
Her Good Thing
Long Time Coming
A Promise of Forever Love
A Love for Tomorrow
Yesterday’s Promise
Forgotten
Forgiven
Forsaken
Rain for Christmas (Novella)
Through the Storm
Rain Storm
Latter Rain
Abundant Rain
Former Rain
Anthologies (Editor)
Keeping the Faith
Have A Little Faith
This Far by Faith
EBOOKS
Love Isn’t Enough
A Mighty Love
The Blessed One (Blessed and Highly Favored series)
The Wild One (Blessed and Highly Favored Series)
The Preacher’s Choice (Blessed and Highly Favored Series)
The Politician’s Wife (Blessed and Highly Favored Series)
The Playboy’s Redemption (Blessed and Highly Favored Series)
Tears Fall at Night (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
Joy Comes in the Morning (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
A Forever Kind of Love (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
Ramsey’s Praise (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
Escape to Love (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
Praise For Christmas (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
His Love Walk (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
Could This Be Love (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
Song of Praise (Praise Him Anyhow Series)
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