My Father's Gift, page 1
My Father’s Gift
by
Mary M. Hall-Rayford
Copyright © 2013 by Mary M. Hall-Rayford
Revised edition by author 4/20/13.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book was produced as an eBook in the United States of America on Amazon.com.
Your Precious Gifts
Father,
In the name of Jesus, I thank you for all of your precious gifts—The gift of salvation, mercy, grace, love, faith, and obedience.
For Your Word says, “All good and perfect gifts come from above” and that You give good gifts to all Your children.
Salvation—for all who accept and believe Jesus crucified, died, and resurrected.
Mercy—Your ever-enduring compassion that never fails.
Grace—The unmerited favor that You bestow upon all
Love—for all who willingly receive from You.
Faith—a measure that grows by hearing The Word.
Obedience—in understanding and doing Your Word.
Help me Father, to lean not to my own understanding, but to trust in Your Word to me no matter what it looks like, no matter what others may say; to trust in the knowledge that no one else has heaven or hell for eternal rest, just You, and it is in You that I live and move and have my being.
I thank You for hearing and responding to this and all prayers earnestly communed to You by the righteous and sinners alike as they come into a right relationship with You, trusting, accepting, and ready to receive from you, the best You have to offer—gifts that multiply with continued faith in You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
This book is dedicated to all of the wonderful gifts that God has placed in my life.
Danielle (daughter)
Delario (son)
Delario (grandson)
Domonique (granddaughter)
LeBron (grandson)
Tyrone (husband)
Charlene (friend)
Barbara (friend)
Joyce (friend)
Teresa
Karen
Darolyn
Carol
Dr. Jacqueline Tilles
Elder Theodore Franks (deceased friend)
And so many others—there is not room enough to name, but you know who you are!
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Epilogue
About The Author
Chapter One
“Hello.” Discerner answered the phone after the third ring, momentarily distracted by the tangled telephone cord.
“Sister Everett, please.”
“This is she.” Her brows furrowed trying to place the voice.
“Sister Everett, this is Calord Recinoire. I just finished reading your book, What Do I Do Now? I just had to tell you how great it is. This is exactly what our ministry teaches and it’s good to know that someone else believes in teaching people how to live for the Lord since so many are confused about what to do. When Brother Jordan handed me this book, I sensed in my spirit that this sister has an intimate relationship with the Lord.”
“Thank you,” D’Cerner laughed. “I didn’t know Brother Jordan was my publicist.”
“Oh, I don’t think that was his intention, he just happened to have it with him. We were in a meeting together and he showed it to me.”
“Well, at any rate, it’s nice to know that someone thinks the book is worthwhile. And it’s good of you to take the time to call me. I assume that Brother Jordan gave you the number?”
“Yes and I couldn’t wait to call you. It’s not often I get a chance to speak with a sister in the Lord who knows what she’s talking about. So many know how to talk a good talk, but very few know how to live it, let alone write about it. Yes, this is great. I can sense the anointing of God all over this book.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” D’Cerner hastily looked at her watch. “I’d love to continue this discussion with you, but I have to get ready for a speaking engagement and I’m running a bit late. Would it be possible for me to get your number and call you another time?”
“Sure.” He gave her his telephone number. “You may call me at any time.”
“Thanks again for your call. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
While talking, D’Cerner was walking through the house, from her bedroom to the bathroom, preparing to get ready. As she hung up, she couldn’t help wondering about the phone call. She thought to herself, “it’s not everyday someone calls to tell you how much they enjoy your book. What an interesting man!”
“Chantelle,” she said to her daughter who had just walked into her bedroom. “Brandon has apparently decided to become my publicist. That was a phone call from someone he had shown my book. He sounds like a nice man.”
“You know Brandon, Mom,” her daughter laughed. “He’s always trying to get on your good side.”
“Well, baby,” D’Cerner, hugged her daughter, “it’s not my good side he needs to worry about. He needs to get on your good side.”
“He’ll figure it out sooner or later. I tried to explain to him that I’m just not interested in marriage right now.” Chantelle sprawled across her mother’s bed, looking at the ceiling. “You need any help?” She covered her mouth to stifle a yawn.
“Well, if I did, I don’t know how you could do anything from that position,” D’Cerner laughed. “I don’t need anything right now, other than to get in the shower and get dressed. Do you and Carlos have plans for tonight?”
“I’m going out with some of my friends, but I think Carlos will be here. He probably has homework to do anyway. That is, if he can stay off the phone long enough. Mom, you really need to remind him that other people may want to use the phone some time.” Chantelle sat up pretending to pout.
“You and your brother will just have to work out the phone system between the two of you. I’m not having a third phone line installed. Two is enough. Now get out of here or I’m going to be late.” D’Cerner swatted at her daughter as she passed her.
Chantelle skipped out of her reach, blew her a kiss and left the room to go talk to her brother about the telephone.
While D’Cerner was in the shower, she smiled to herself as she thought about her two adorable children. Chantelle and Carlos were constant reminders of the love she had shared with their father, Garrett. She often thought about him when the two of them would get into arguments about one thing or another. Sometimes she thought she over- compensated with them after their father died—loving them, holding them close, instead of being a stricter disciplinarian. She knew they missed their father, especially Chantelle. Carlos had only been three when the accident occurred fourteen years ago. He really didn’t remember him even though D’Cerner would regularly pull out family albums or play home videos of them, so Carlos could have some memory of him. But it really didn’t seem to matter. Carlos was spoiled, but not really a problem. At least he wasn’t a problem with other people; just his sister. Their relationship was truly the epitome of sibling rivalry. She believed the real problem was Carlos’ resentment over being the youngest and not having the privileges Chantelle had. Maybe if Garrett had lived, he could have given Carlos a better sense of himself and encouraged him to accept who he was. If Garrett had lived.
Garrett Everett was a once-in-a-lifetime love. She loved every inch of his six foot seven-inch frame, his boyish little grin, his beautiful big soft brown eyes, his teasing ways and more importantly, his love for the Lord. It was his love for the Lord that made him a great husband and father. Garrett wanted above all things to please God in everything he did, and she believed he had died believing he had. Garrett, a professor of religious studies and the assistant pastor at the church where they had first met won her heart. She had gone to the church as an invited guest of a friend. From the very beginning, the friendship that mushroomed into love was divinely blueprinted. Eventually they were married. The memories crowded the present and transported her into the past, twenty-two years ago. She relived the wedding, their honeymoon, their disagreements, their passions and the day she received the phone call that forever sealed shut this chapter of her life. No
The day was illuminated by glorious sunshine as Garrett left to meet with a couple about an upcoming charity event. An hour later, she received a phone call from the couple asking whether or not Garrett had left for their appointment. She assured them he had left on time and then became alarmed. It wasn’t like him to be late and not telephone someone. Ten minutes after she hung up the telephone, she received a phone call from a police officer informing her of a car accident in which Garrett was hurt. She called her sister to pick up Carlos from daycare and Chantelle from school and hurried to the hospital. She arrived too late. Garrett was gone. The happiness that she had known was eclipsed by the blackness that shrouded her heart. Knowing she could never again look into his soft brown eyes or see his teasing smile, she was grateful for the gift of her children.
Chantelle was a lithesome five-foot ten young woman. She had her mother’s looks and coloring, but her father’s charisma. Carlos was a mirrored reflection of his father. He had his height, features, and even the stubbornness that tended to display itself on occasion. As long as she could look at her children, she would always have Garrett.
Shaking herself out of her reverie, she realized she had been in the shower much too long and really had to hurry. She dashed into her bedroom to dress; pinned up her hair and put on her makeup. She had laid out a navy suit with matching shoes and put them on quickly. Giving herself a backward glance in the mirror, she rushed out of her room to get her coat and briefcase. They were near the door, where she had placed them earlier.
“Oh no,” she cried as she opened the door.
Chapter Two
Not having listened to any news all day, she wasn’t aware of the snow forecast and there before her lay at least three inches and it was falling heavily. She grabbed her boots and a bag to throw her shoes in, shouted at Carlos to lock the door behind her, and jumped into her car.
“Okay,” she said aloud to herself, “I’m going to get there on time and in one piece. No devil in hell has any authority over the roads, my car or the message the Lord has prepared for me to give.”
D’Cerner popped a Kirk Franklin and the Family tape into the CD player turned the key in the ignition and backed out of her driveway. While she drove, she prayed. “Daddy, I thank you for being in the ignition, the brakes and the steering wheel and making clear my pathway as I seek to do your will. There is none like you. I thank you for loving me enough to keep my angels alert and on guard every step of the way so that you get all the glory and honor due you for this night and always.”
D’Cerner ice-skated to her destination, playing dodge’em all the way. Finally, she arrived, one massive jangled nerve, turned into the nearly empty parking lot, and wondered where everyone else was. Angela was supposed to meet her in time for prayer before the service so she decided to wait in the car until Angela arrived. While she waited, she mentally reviewed specific points of her message, revising some thoughts as needed, until she saw Angela pull into the parking lot along with Tyra, a soloist, and some of the others from her church.
“Angie, I’m so glad you made it. I was beginning to think I was going to have to do this solo.” D’Cerner hugged her best friend.
“Now you know I wouldn’t leave you hanging, but this snow caught me by surprise and it didn’t help that I overslept,” Angela smiled.
Angela was D’Cerner’s sister in the Lord, her best friend, and prayer partner. They had begun their beautiful fellowship years ago. Even though Angela worked a midnight shift in a government office, she would make the effort to travel with D’Cerner whenever she could. When she couldn’t go out of town with her, they would spend hours on the phone in prayer and praise before D’Cerner would speak. They held onto each other as they walked through the slippery lot and up the steps. By the time they got inside, the others were right behind them. As they were taking off coats and boots and putting on shoes, they talked to Tyra about the song she would sing. When one of the members of the church realized that D’Cerner was the speaker for the evening, she directed her and Angela to the pastor’s office. Once inside the office, they prayed and then waited for the pastor.
“Well, praise the Lord,” Pastor Sherman said, as she came in and saw them sitting there. “I’m glad you didn’t have any trouble getting here and please forgive me for being late.”
“Oh, that’s quite all right.” D’Cerner stood up to greet her. “While we were waiting, we prayed for tonight’s service. Pastor Sherman, this is my best friend, Sister Angela Worthall. She’s usually my covering when I have speaking engagements.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sister Worthall,” Pastor Sherman responded as she extended her hand to shake Angela’s. I’m glad you understand the importance of a covering.”
“It’s nice meeting you Pastor Sherman,” Angela moved past the extended hand to hug the pastor. “And I do understand the importance of a covering. Whenever I can, I go with D’Cerner. It’s not always possible, but we try to make sure she never goes anywhere alone.”
“We?” Pastor Sherman inquired, puzzled.
“Oh yes.” Angela smiled, getting ready to leave. “Daddy holds us all responsible for each other. Dee, I’m going out to the sanctuary. I’ll talk to you after the service.”
After Angela left the office, Pastor Sherman and D’Cerner discussed the nature of the church’s theme for the evening. The church, Pentecostal in faith, was located in the heart of one of the worst drug-infested areas in the city and the pastor was concerned about the people who lived in it. The church was constantly bombarded with requests for food and shelter as well as prayer. The enemy really had a tight rein on people who lived in the community and some of her congregation sometimes found it difficult to resist the temptation before them. She felt people really needed to hear a message that would get them back on track. After praying and getting D’Cerner wired with a lavaliere, they went into the sanctuary.
“Well,” D’Cerner thought to herself, “this is it. Okay Daddy, you’re on.”
D’Cerner Everett was a well-known Evangelist and writer. She was used to speaking in any kind of environment. Deliverance Temple, with a congregation of two hundred, was no different from the many other churches where she had spoken. She never considered herself a strong-arm preacher, but a teacher, whose mission was to teach God’s Word on a level everyone could understand and respond to it by applying to their daily life. The fact that she talked rather than preached or shouted at people caused many to actually listen to what she had to say.
The end of praise and worship and a general prayer signaled the end of devotional time. Tyra sang, A Word from the Lord, as a pre-sermonic selection. As Tyra returned to her seat, Pastor Sherman walked to the podium, her hands uplifted in praise.
“Yes, yes, we need a Word from the Lord and we praise God for anointing Sister Tyra’s voice. Give the Lord praise. Hallelujah!” Pastor Sherman shouted. The congregation applauded the singer and shouted praises for a few moments. “Now,” Pastor Sherman said, “would you all stand with me and receive our speaker for the hour, an anointed woman of God in the person of Evangelist D’Cerner Everett?”
As the congregation stood and raised their voices in praise of God, D’Cerner moved to the podium and hugged Pastor Sherman.
“Hallelujah,” she exhorted, turning back to the audience. “Give Him praise; give him praise, truly He’s worthy of all our praises. Amen, Amen,” she said looking around at the expectant faces, as the praise subsided. “Will you continue standing with me for a moment of prayer? Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask you to make your presence known in this place. We submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let your will be done and not ours. Give us ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord says tonight. Touch our hearts Father, that we’ll be pliable in your hands. Let no flesh glory in your presence, but cause us to see you in everything that’s said and done. In Jesus’ name we pray and thank you. Amen, amen.”
“You may be seated.” She waited for the congregation to sit. “I do indeed thank God for the privilege of delivering His message and for your wonderful pastor for inviting us here tonight. We have indeed felt the welcoming of the Holy Spirit. We also acknowledge the men and women of God sharing the dais this evening,” she continued, as she turned and smiled at those around her. “God bless you and may you prosper in all things that glorify God.”
