A thunderous roar of applause rippled through the building, followed by a standing ovation. Mark was flooded with emotion as he turned around to witness the outpouring of love from the remaining members of New Vision. In that moment, he realized that the people who’d left needed to leave. Maybe God had another place for them to serve. Maybe they’d been there for the wrong reason to begin with. Whatever the case, those people, those members were the ones God still wanted him to serve. And he would, for the cause of Christ.
He felt Sharla’s squeeze and quickly beheld her expression. Love. Pure love shone in her eyes. “This is soooo who you are. And I am sooo behind you.”
“Thanks, Mamasita.”
On the other side of Sharla, Amani leaned into Mark’s line of vision. He gave a thumbs up and mouthed, “Cool.”
Epilogue
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
A Note from the Author
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).
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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!
About the Author
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.
Other Books by Michelle Stimpson
Fiction
Boaz Brown
Divas of Damascus Road
Falling into Grace
I Met Him in the Ladies’ Room (Novella)
Last Temptation (Starring “Peaches” from Boaz Brown)
Mama B: A Time to Dance
Mama B: A Time to Love
Someone to Watch Over Me
S
tepping Down
The Good Stuff
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.MichelleStimpson.com
www.Facebook.com/michelle.stimpson2
http://www.TheWifeAcademy.com
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
A Note from the Author
About the Author
Other Books by Michelle Stimpson
Stepping Down Page 22
