Quiet Strength: Book III, Eli's Journey

By Tina Hawkey Baker

Having lived his whole life in the shadows of his parents, Elijah feels forsaken when they are imprisoned for smuggling Bibles into a Muslim country. Unable to help, and with his life turned upside-down, Elijah starts a journey to discover God's plan for his life. Battling anger and abandonment to the point of self-destruction, God gives him an experience that is the key to his calling. How will God take what is meant to destroy Elijah and his family and turn it around for His glory? Will Elijah and his parents be strong enough to endure the cost of their journey, or will love's mission cause the loss of more lives? "Young Eli, it's bigger than you," Sensae Kevin told Elijah when he realizes what God is calling him to do. "But it is not bigger than God's plan."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tina Hawkey Baker
• Release date: Jun 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311510013

Tina Hawkey Baker

Tina Hawkey Baker has four main passions in her life; her faith, family, writing and Cincinnati Reds Baseball. She writes with a passion to see young adults overcome obstacles, come into their own, and find God's will for their lives.

Book preview

Quiet Strength - Book III

Eli’s Journey

Tina Hawkey Baker

Copyright 2015-Tina Hawkey Baker

Smashwords Edition

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

Discover other titles by Tina:

Quiet Strength-Book I-Loves Mission

Quiet Strength-Book II-The Offering

When God Said No

In Self-Defense

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Dedication

This storyline involves the young Elijah’s transformation of being in the shadows of his family’s ministry into his own outreach as an independent Eli. As I was thinking about the subtitle of this book, I began recalling my own journey as a child of God. God strategically put four very important women in my life at different times. I thought the right thing to do would be to honor these women God directed to me to help me grow in faith on my journey.

Kathleen Adams, also known as my grandma. She prayed and prayed for me. Never gave up. I have never seen nor heard another woman pray down heaven, like my grandma. She would always tell me, Remember Tink, faith and works go hand in hand.

Pamela VanZant, you had the privilege (I’m using that term loosely) of ministering to me as a teenager. I never once saw you lose your cool with all the teenagers running around. You are among the softest spoken and solid woman of faith I have ever known. I remember plenty of times your gentle ways of correcting and advising. I have seen your family suffer great loss, yet you never allowed bitterness to harden your heart. You may have given birth to three beautiful children, but you have raised, encouraged, and installed faith and family into many, many more, like me.

Mary Mitchell, you were the coolest youth leader ever! You are like Peter Pan, you will never grow old. Your prayers finally wore God out as He blessed you with your Harley Davidson for your 60th birthday. You and David always had your door open at anytime to one of your youth in need. You helped me progress from a teen to an adult. It wasn’t an easy, but it was necessary. Thank you for bearing with me through the growing pains.

Jan Rakestraw, I have never had direction or correction given to me from someone smiling as much as you. You truly radiate the love of God. We met in a surgery waiting area where you were supporting a friend and I was holding a screaming newborn who wanted her mom. You walked and talked with me as my niece screamed for her mom who was having her gallbladder removed. It was a long three hours but the most spiritually profitable for me. You gave your time and attention to me. You challenged and strengthened me in God’s word. I remember you telling me many times, It’s right there in the Bible! You laughed and cried with me. You are an example of God’s arms extended. When life situations wounded me, as an adult, you were there with Bible-Aids… and a smile.

I dare not say that I would want to be any of these ladies. I could not walk in their shoes. What I would like to do is take all the things they taught me and all the patience they showed me and mirror that same Godly love to others. That would be the closest way I could honor these lovely ladies and their sacrifices. I know that all over the world, there are people who can relate to having those special leaders and disciples put in their life’s that have made an eternal difference for them.

Grandma, Pam, Mary and Jan, I am so thankful for your strength, tenderness, mercy and correction. Above all I am blessed by the way you served God by serving others.

Thank You

Robert, my hub and lover of my heart. This is our journey. Thank you for your patience and tech knowledge. I would be a want-to-be writer using pencil and a notepad without you.

James Kerns, you are a great book cover son. I am glad that we made it through your sword lessons and martial arts classes. I learned a lot by observing you. You are a gift from God to me. I love sharing worship songs, God’s nudges, and life experiences with you. God has big plans for your life. He has already begun a good work in you.

Tim Doyle, my factual EMT. You were the best go to guy I could have chosen. I have only heard a few of your on the scene scenarios, but what I have heard reminds me that truth is stranger than fiction. Thank you for your willingness and sacrifice by being a first responder

Jamie Hawkey, my little sister. I am so proud of you. Thank you for helping me with all my nursing questions. Philadelphia hospitals are blessed to have you as nurse. My loss their gain, I miss having you around.

I am hereby releasing Tim Doyle and Jamie Hawkey from their expert advice when my creative juices were flowing. I had to laugh when they both would say, Well, it doesn’t exactly happen that way. My reply was always, but it reads well… PLEASE! Therefore, as not to embarrass them, I am reminding readers, I am guilty of stretching some medical truths.

Jimmy Wallace, you are a great teacher. Your enthusiasm for your family, job, and life itself is inspiring. You are a fantastic wrestling coach. You have more heart for the sport then I have ever seen. Thank you for coaching me through the fight scenes and explaining the differences in technical dos and don’ts.

My faithful editors, Lane Pullins and Frances Cooper, you two are AWESOME! ...and faithful and encouraging and... I could never use too many adjectives to describe you. Thank you for your willingness to correct my tenses.

Contents

Chapter One The Unknown

Chapter Two Agony

Chapter Three The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t

Chapter Four Hanging On

Chapter Five Blessed and Bruised

Chapter Six A Gentle Reminder

Chapter Seven When Prayer Pays Off

Chapter Eight From Elijah to Eli

Chapter Nine Resistance

Chapter Ten Confirmation, Please

Chapter Eleven Fight to Follow

Chapter Twelve Truth Revealed

Chapter Thirteen Reign Down

Chapter Fourteen God of Second Chances

Chapter Fifteen Beauty for Ashes - New Beginnings

About the Author

Chapter One: The Unknown

Elijah had so much to do. The only reason he kept a to do list was because he liked to see all the check off marks when he had completed each task. There were only five days before Christmas and with his parents away in Maldives, he was carrying a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. Keeping the packaging company running at Christmas time had an extra amount of pressure involved. When his parents got home, he didn’t want them to have to worry about anything. He would like to think he did a good enough job keeping everything going that unpacking only to repack would be their biggest concern. They were all due to fly out December 23rd to South Carolina for Christmas with his grandparents. For a moment, Elijah thought it was strange he hadn’t heard anything from his parents in the four days they had been gone. Even a call saying they were safe and are you eating anything healthy, would have been nice. He understood they were there on business, and sometimes there is too much to do to make calls.

It was a mild December day. The weather had been usually warm for this time of year, totally knocking out everyone’s wish for a white Christmas. Elijah wore a thermal and a hoodie, which was the biggest part of his winter wardrobe. He wore jeans, thermals, or t-shirts under hoodies, he kept things pretty simple. In the summer it was occasionally shorts, with t-shirts or three-button polo shirts. If he had to dress up, khaki’s, with a t-shirt and a button down shirt left open was as far as he would go towards formal. He was, however, clean cut, and for the most part clean shaven. His blonde hair made it easier for him to hide any facial hair for several days, and Elijah was thankful for that blessing.

A person of average mobility would have no problem climbing the three stairs to the walkway leading to the two story law office. Elijah wasn’t average though. A bounce and a leap and he cleared all three steps. He may have had more responsibility than most his age, but he was an energetic 18-year-old who chose the challenge over convenience. He walked up to the entrance and smiled at the large letters stretched across the window, Samuel and Theodore Waltz, Attorneys at Law. Elijah knew them as Uncle Sam and Uncle Ted. Elijah thought it was funny that it took Uncle Sam calling three different numbers before he could reach him. He called the house, where his mom and dad used to live, which was now where Amy and Ryan lived. He called the garage apartment where Ryan and Amy used to live, which was now where Elijah lived. Finally, he called the warehouse, where he found Elijah.

Do you have any idea how hard you are to find? Sam asked Elijah. It is almost 2010 and I declare you are the only 18-year-old in America without a cell phone.

Elijah chuckled as he recalled the conversation. He supposed that he should break down and get a cell phone, but really there wasn’t any reason. The people who would call him the most were the people he was with all the time. Besides his dad had one that tied him to work too much. Being without a cell phone did offer a little freedom.

Good morning Amber, Elijah said as he walked into the large office. Amber was a nice motherly type of woman. If Elijah were to guess, he would think she was in her early forties. She had a kind smile and a round face with chubby cheeks and looked like she could be everyone’s best friend. She was the perfect person to be sitting at the front desk welcoming people who might be skeptical of lawyers. Uncle Sam called me this morning and wanted me to come in for a visit. Would you let them know I am here please?

Amber called back to Sam’s office. He asked her to show Elijah to the conference room where he and Ted would meet him. When Elijah walked in the room, it felt cold. The walls were sterile white with diploma’s, certificates, and awards with Sam and Ted’s names on them hung neatly on two walls. The third wall was side to side, and ceiling to floor book shelves loaded with books at least three inches thick. The wall opposite the book shelf caught Elijah’s attention. He had been here many times, but only in the waiting area and his uncles’ offices. The back wall had one picture hung in the center of the wall. The frame was solid oak and was every bit of three foot wide and four feet tall. Elijah walked toward the wall to examine the picture in more detail. It was a picture of a courtroom. An attorney was standing beside a defendant in handcuffs. The jury glared at him emotionless. The judge was ready to strike the gavel and announce the verdict. The defendant stared at the judge’s box, but not at the judge. Jesus stood at the right hand of the judge with His hands stretched out to the side showing the nail scars. There was a caption on a brass plate that read, GUILTY AND FORGIVEN. Elijah was deep in thought about the picture when he heard Sam and Ted come in the room.

This is a great picture hanging here, Elijah commented. Makes me think about how God sees us. Elijah turned to face his uncles. You two look horrible.

Thanks, Ted said as he laid a file on the conference table. Ted was more the funny guy of the two brothers. Elijah had given him the perfect line to crack a joke, but Ted didn’t attempt any humor.

Maybe I would be more accurate to say that you two look dead serious. What’s up? What couldn’t wait until I finished work at the warehouse to see you? Elijah had picked up on the heaviness in the room. You need to start talking because my mind is starting to think worst case scenarios on why I am here.

Sam and Ted were well aware of Elijah’s energy and telling him to sit down would be a waste of time. I got a call from your father after midnight this morning. We need to talk.

MOM! Is Mom alright? Where is Dad? Anxiety mounted inside of Elijah. Tell me now. His head began to feel light and his heart raced.

Sam filled a cup from the bottled water dispenser sitting outside the conference room door. He handed the water to Elijah and put his hand on his shoulder firmly. They are alive, but they are in trouble. We have a lot to discuss.

For over two hours, Sam and Ted explained to Elijah what his parents had been doing over the past 40 years. There were many details and circumstances to make Elijah aware of. Amy and Ryan had planned on telling Elijah about their involvement in smuggling the Bibles one day, but now it was evident that they waited too long. Sam explained how all the times the three of them had gone to China and Maldives weren’t for business as Elijah had thought. His mom and dad had been secretly and illegally smuggling Bibles into those countries. They traveled as a family for two reasons; the first was because it made them look less suspicious. The second reason was his dad promised his mom that he would never leave her. Elijah sat down as if the information was too heavy for him to bare its weight. He was in shock. He listened intently and shook his head yes whenever his uncles asked if he was okay or if he understood. Too much and so many questions, yet he was speechless. He was processing the information as best he could. It wasn’t until Sam actually used the word prison that Elijah spoke up.

Why are they in prison? How long will they have to be there? Can I go see them? Elijah was starting to snap out of his shock.

Sam sat on the edge of the conference table and spoke as clearly as possible. "Nothing can be done. No one can go see them. We have no idea how long they will be imprisoned. It is out of our control.

What do you mean nothing can be done? That is not acceptable. We can call Washington DC and get politicians involved. I can fly down there to see them. I haven’t done anything wrong. There has to be a court date or something that will give us a time frame. Elijah’s voice got stronger and louder as his anger started to show.

It’s Maldives, Elijah, not America. We can’t fight this fight because your parents broke the American customs laws and the Maldives law that forbids bringing any religious materials contrary to the Islamic beliefs into their country. When your dad signed the legal documents about the contents of his shipments and didn’t mention the Bibles, he committed a crime against our country and Maldives. If we broadcast this and involve politics, Waltz’s packaging company will be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not only that, the company will have its license to export suspended, if not terminated. Maldives could claim our country had knowledge of the smuggling and retaliate against America. We have no choice, but to sit and wait this out. Sam stood up and walked away. He couldn’t look at Elijah’s brokenness any longer. It was Ted’s turn to take over the explaining.

Ted sat down beside Elijah and scooted his chair as close as he could. You can’t travel out of the country for a while, Elijah, especially to Maldives. When your parents travelled, they took you with them so as far as the Maldives government knows; you were a part of it all. If you go to see your parents, you will be arrested. Ted sat back in his chair to give Elijah more space to breathe.

How long, Elijah asked softly. How long will my parents be in prison?

I am not trying to sound trite, Sam sat back down on the conference table, but that is truly in God’s hands. All conversation ceased, as his thought process continued.

Elijah sat silently, finally letting his head rest on the back of the chair. Sam picked up the file that Ted had brought in with him. We have a lot to talk about, Elijah. Thank God your parents are still alive, but in their absence, someone has to continue the business. Your parents had a will made up before they left. You were given everything, Elijah. The house, the business, everything is willed to you. You have the power of attorney to run the business and take care of the house.

Elijah couldn’t comprehend taking over everything. At this moment, he was having trouble understanding everything he had just been told. He was feeling smothered and needed to go, get out run or something. He needed to move to make sure he wasn’t in the middle of a nightmare. He stood up and walked toward the door.

Where are you going? We have paper work to go through. Sam was the professional, not the uncle, or the brother to Amy, at this point. He was all business on the surface, but on the inside, his heart was breaking too.

Ted got up from his chair and stood in front of Sam. "You go on, Elijah. Take your time to cope with all of this. We know you will come back when