Trials and Triumphs

By Georgia McCain

This book provides a narrative of the author's journey of faith, including the triumphs over many trials experienced throughout her life.

“Hungering After God” describes how, even as a little girl, the pages of the big Bible at home helped to quench the thirst of her soul. Even though she would attend the community church and professed to be saved, the deep longing of her soul was not satisfied. After her marriage and the birth of her first child, she began to listen to a radio preacher that resulted in an indescribable sorrow for her sin. This resulted in going into her bathroom, getting on her knees, and asked for forgiveness. She felt light as a feather, like she was going to sprout wings and fly. This created a strong desire to witness to others about her new-found faith.

“Walking In the Light” describes the author's early evolution in her Christian experience. Even though she was discouraged from continuing her Christian experience, she refused to let anything daunt her spirits. She describes her burden of providing restitution for money that she had failed to pay for long distance calls while employed as a telephone operator and her concerns about possibly getting some of her former work colleagues in trouble. She trusted in God to get through this experience and he did not fail her.

In “How God Led Her to a Church”, she provides insight into her discovery of a church that would shape the rest of her life. She conveys her burden and commitment to tithe, in spite of possible concerns from her husband, who was not a Christian at that time.

In “God's Lesson on Doing the Little Things”, she discusses her progression on doing little things for God's benefit even though she was busy as a mother and wife. She discovered that speaking a kind word to whoever crossed her path, visiting the sick and elderly, helping widows and orphans, and listening to the leading of God were sufficient to make an impact. Her poem, “The Little Things” vividly demonstrates how the initiative of Granny in helping Johnny the drunkard and bum, a get well card to Mary, a hospitalized patient, from someone who could not visit the hospital, and farmer Brown's kindness to his mean neighbor, Mr. Smith, paid dividends and led to new Christian experiences.

In “Hungering After Holiness”, the author relates her pursuit of a fuller experience of holiness in spite of her earlier Christian conversion. This led to a fuller Christian experience of “sanctification”.

In “How God Led in Getting Our Children to Christian Schools”, the author recites her experiences and challenges in achieving a Christian education for her children. Despite the cost, distance, and resultant loneliness, several of the children were able to receive Christian education in a distant state. For the younger children, she was able to locate a local Christian school with high standards that led to a quality Christian education.

In “God Promises Protection for Our Travels”, she provides some details on some of the family travels, especially for church-related activities, and how numerous challenges were overcome by ongoing faith in God.

In “Little Nathaniel”, the author discusses the sickness and death of a grandchild, the emotional impact on the family, and how God provided grace to the family to deal with this tragedy. Her memorial poems written on the yearly annivesary of her grandson's death are included.

In “God's Call to Minister to Rest Home Residents”, the author describes her calling to minister to senior residents in rest homes. She continued this ministry for over 30 years until her death.

In “Other Experiences and Answers to Prayer”, she recites a few other experiences where her faith and her Christian commitment definitely played a role in the eventual outcome.

In “Conclusion”, Georgia McCain includes her poem, “Look to the Saviour”, which is thematic for the entire book. Regardless of the trials, look to the Saviou

• Language: English
• Publisher: Georgia McCain
• Release date: Dec 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370536931

Georgia McCain

Mrs. McCain died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident at age 87 on December 9, 2013. She maintained her Christian commitment and ministry, as well as her writing skills, until the time of her unfortunate death.At the time of her death, many of her books were out of print. To preserve the books and allow many new readers to enjoy, the books are being converted to e-books by her family. To increase relevancy and impact to a more contemporary and international audience, minor edits to the original text have been made to some of the books.The following article was published in the Cenla Focus in October 2012 prior to Mrs. McCain's death, and provides a synopsis of Mrs. McCain's life as an author. It was authored by Holly Jo LinzayGeorgia McCain, an author of 10 published books, recalls the day she felt the Lord Jesus lead her to start writing. "I was standing in the kitchen, and God asked me, 'What is that in your hand?" McCain remembers, and answered, "'Only a pen, Lord.' Then He asked me if I would use the pen for his honor and glory, and I said, 'Yes, Lord, as you direct me, I will write for the glory and honor of God."That very night, her first short novel unfolded completely from beginning to end. "The Lord gave me the name of the book and just opened up the story for me from the first page to the last," notes McCain about her first book, Through Troubled Waters, which was published more than 40 years ago. Her first book is a work of fiction interwoven with Biblical truths. McCain has sold thousands of copies, and has received letters from people all over the world expressing how the book touched their hearts. "I never dreamed about writing a book, let alone getting one published,' McCain notes.As a child, McCain wrote poems and made up short stories. In the ninth grade, as her teacher was passing out Christmas gifts to the class, she called McCain to the front of the classroom. She told the class that Georgia had a gift for all her classmates. Stunned, McCain realized her teacher had made copies of a story she had written and shared it with the class. From time to time, she would write another short story. Later, she was asked by a preacher to write a story that would continue and develop in a religious paper. 'I told him that I couldn't just sit down and write a story. God had to give me the thoughts: McCain recalls, remembering it was later that night that she heard God question her about writing. When her son, Danny, came home from college, he read her story, Through Troubled Waters, and encouraged McCain to get it published. "Everything I write, I want it to honor God,' McCain says with conviction.The 84-year-old author is a woman of prayer, and has lived a life in pursuit of holiness. Growing up as one of 14 children In the rural community of Rigolette, McCain graduated from Tioga High School. At 19 years old, she met and started dating a young man named Carl McCain. He worked as a lineman for South Central Bell and she was working as a telephone operator. After a whirlwind courtship, the two were married on July 1, 1946.The young couple made their home in Rigolette and raised their seven children--Ronald, Danny, Kenny, Randy, Barry, Donna and Jackie. The family attended Tioga Wesleyan Methodist Church, where Georgia and Carl served in every ministry they could. They have 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The two were married for 62 years before Carl passed away. Her home is a testament to a close-knit family with photographs vying for space on shelves stocked full with mementoes from the grandchildren. A legacy of love is showcased with framed drawings from the kids alongside epic poems written by McCain about her family.In between her serving at her church and raising seven children, McCain found time to write more books. Her second book, Trials and Triumphs, is non-fiction and retates many of her personal experiences, including the loss of her four-month-old grandson, Nathaniel, to meningitis. Her third book, a fictional novel, Shattered Shackles, deals with alcoholism and its affect on a family. "My daddy was an alcoholic, who would say he was tapering off when he was trying to quit. Later, he did sober up," McCain says, adding that her real-life experience probably played a role in the book.Another of her books, God's Little Lambs, is a compilation of stories written for children that can be read as bedtime stories or for family devotions. At one time, McCain says she felt impressed to write a novel about some twins. In Straight Paths, the story of fiery-tempered "Connie Slocum" unwinds as she struggles with heartaches, persecution, separation and loneliness. In the book's sequel, Plucked Out ofthe Net, Connie's twin brother, "Donnie Slocum," is featured in a story of redemption.Three of McCain's books have dealt with prayer and answers to "prevailing" prayer. "It is absolutely amazing that God has spoken to me over and over, and keeps giving me books to write. He has faithfully led me all the way," notes McCain. In all, she has written 10 books, and family and friends are after her to write a book of poems. She has written long poems with clever rhymes marking nearly every milestone in her and her family's life.It does not take long to get caught up reading one of McCain's books, and believing the incredible stories of faith in the non-fiction books. Written In such honest prose, her words flow from her heart and from a life seeking after holiness. If her books inspire and encourage or cause someone to "seek the Lord," then McCain says the books have served their purpose. "God deserves all the glory for anything accomplished through the writing or reading of these books," she emphasizes.A woman of faith, McCain has taught Sunday School and Bible studies in just about every ministry at her church. In addition, for the last 34 years, she has taught three different Bible study groups at three different nursing homes. McCain has been honored and received numerous awards for her volunteer service from Ball Senior Citizens Center and various nursing homes. In 2001, she was named the Volunteer of the Year of Tioga Manor and named "Most Faithful" volunteer at two other nursing homes.When her husband Carl served for a number of years on the Rapides Parish Police Jury, McCain supported him by participating in a variety of ways in the community. Known as a great cook by her family and friends, her daughter, Donna, presented her with a cookbook of the family recipes on her 50th wedding anniversary. Besides serving the Lord, McCain says her most important role in life has been as a wife and mother. She said all her children are “successful and love the Lord," and that they never gave her a "lick of trouble" beceuse she kept them in church and a "switch on their behinds", if needed. Her son, Danny, who is a missionary in Nigeria, even calls her every day.McCain says she is "blessed beyond measure by the Lord" with family and friends. Some have called her a "prayer warrior," in seeking God's will in her life. One piece of advice she freely gives out to all who will listen is the same encouragement she offers in her last book, Walking with God for Over 50 Years, "Sometimes when we can't seem to pray our way through, we can often times praise our way through to God. Try it."

Book preview

Trials and Triumphs

Georgia Davenport McCain

Published by Ron McCain at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Ron McCain

Smashwords Edition License Notes

Thank you downloading this ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friend. This book may be reproduced, copied, and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by this author. Thanks you for your support.

Originally printed by Old Paths Tract Society, Inc., Shoals, Indiana, 47581

Dedication

Since writing my book, Through Troubled

Waters, and dedicating it to my family, we have

had two additions, a grandson,Daniel Stephen

McCain, and a son-in-law, Dan Simmons. To them, I

wish to dedicate this little booklet.

Also, to William F. McCain, my father-in-law,

who was converted at the age of eighty-eight.

And to the memory of my mother-in-law, Ida H.

McCain.

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Hungering After God

Chapter 2: Walking in the Light

Chapter 3: How God Led Me to a Church

Chapter 4: God's Lesson On the Doing of the Little Things

Chapter 5: Hungering After Holiness

Chapter 6: How God Led in Getting Our Children in Christian Schools

Chapter 7: God's Promises Protection in Our Travels

Chapter 8: Little Nathaniel

Chapter 9: God's Call to Minister to Rest Home Residents

Chapter 10: Other Experiences and Answers to Prayer

Chapter 11: Conclusion

About The Author

Books By Georgia McCain

Letters from Readers of Georgia McCain Books

Preface

Some years ago, God asked me a simple question, What is that in thine hand? I answered, Nothing Lord, but a pen. He asked me another question, Will you use that pen for my honour and glory? I said, Yes, Lord, as You direct me, I'll write for Your honour and glory. Since that time, under God's direction, I have written letters, periodicals, poems, Sunday School lessons and a book, Through Troubled Waters, all for the glory of God.

When 1 was at Hobe Sound Camp this past February, I was standing in the lunch line talking to a dear friend, Mrs. Martin Gehman relating some experiences 1 have enjoyed in the years I've been serving God. She said, I wish you would write them down. I had never given this any thought, but during the remainder of the camp, the suggestion stayed with me. I thought, If this is still so strongly impressed on my mind when I return home, I will give it some consideration. Well, as you can see, the impression still lingered upon my return home, so I have endeavored to write some of the wonderful experiences I have had in my walk with God.

I have discovered that when the night is darkest, the battle is waging the fiercest, the devil is fighting the hardest, all hope is seemingly gone, and it looks as if you will go down in defeat in spite of all you can do, that it is then time to buckle on the armour of God a little tighter, hold up the shield of faith and claim victory through the precious blood of Christ. I remember just such a time as this when it looked as if I was sinking beneath the waves and everything seemed hopeless, that I picked up the old Black-back Book and read these words from Romans 15:13, And the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. To me, it seemed that hope was almost gone but He announced to me that bleak day that He is the God of hope and that He could fill me with joy and peace in believing. Believing what? That He was still on the throne, that He still had control of my situation, that He still had power over the devil and all the imps of hell. The rest of that verse told me that I could abound in hope, not just skim by and barely keep my head above water, but have a vast supply of hope. How? Through the power of the Holy Ghost. No, not in my own puny strength but in His all sufficient power. Praise God! How the precious Word of God lifted me out of the depths of despair up to the heights of glory that Sunday afternoon. I turned over a page in my Bible, and read these words, And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly-- Romans 16:20. Within a few weeks, I saw this promise fulfilled, the stronghold of the enemy was destroyed, and Satan, himself, was bruised under my feet. Amen! Our God is still the God of the impossible.

Though I have never done a great work for God, as many writers are privileged to tell about, yet in simple every-day living as a housewife and mother of seven, God has been with me and heard and answered prayer many, many times. It is some of these answers to prayer that I have attempted to relate in this little booklet.

I would like to express my appreciation to my husband and two sons, Kenny and Barry, who yet live at home, for their patience with me through many long hours of writing and typing, as I neglected my housework. My husband said one morning, You need to buy me some work socks. I don't have a pair left. I answered rather sheepishly, Oh, yes, you have some socks, but they're in the clothes basket where I put them after washing them. I haven't taken the time to put them in your drawer. So a big thank you, family for bearing with me in my neglect.

I trust this little booklet will be used for God's glory alone and may it help to inspire greater faith in God's promises.

The Author

Chapter 1

Hungering After God

Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6.

With much effort, a small girl climbed up onto a chest-type piece of furniture and reached for a large family-size Bible which was kept on the top shelf. Inch by inch she moved it out toward the edge. Then with much tugging and pulling she finally got a hold upon it and eased herself back down to the floor with her precious treasure. She opened it and started to read, but was very disappointed. She had hoped to find written on the pages of the big Bible something to quench the thirst of her soul, but after a diligent search, she closed the big book and went back to her play. She had not found what she was searching for, because she was unable to understand what she had read. But Someone up in Heaven was taking notice of the little girl that day. He detected the hungering and thirsting of her longing soul, and He placed His loving hand of mercy upon her that day and began to lead her in the paths that she was to go. Though it was years later, after the little girl had become a young lady, that the need of her heart was met, yet it was the day she took the big Bible down to read, that the search for something to satisfy the soul began. This little girl, now a middle-aged lady, is the author of this little book.

No one ever spoke to me about my soul, and if anyone ever prayed for me, I was unaware of it. Sometimes my sisters and I would attend the one church in our community, and once while yet a little girl, under deep conviction for my sins, I walked down the aisle and joined this church. I professed to be saved after this, but sad to say, that deep longing of the soul was not satisfied. I would listen to radio preachers, memorize Scripture verses from the Bible, and I continued to attend the only church I knew anything about.

After graduating from High School, I left home and secured a job as a telephone operator. As long as I had remained at home, I had lived a more or less sheltered life, but after leaving I began to try my wings, so to speak, and get a taste of life's pleasures. Needless to say, the yearning after God seemed to wane. I stopped attending church altogether and spent my Sundays working or in pleasure.

At the age of nineteen, I met a young man (Carl McCain) who was later to become my husband. He had somewhat of a Christian background (had attended Sunday School as a boy) but like myself, was now chasing after the pleasures of sin. Because of my experience a few years back when I joined the church, I told him I was a Christian. He would not accept my Christian testimony because I was committing the same sins that he was. It would make me furious because he would not believe that I was a Christian.

A few months later, in spite of our religious disagreement, we were united in marriage. With all the expense of getting started in married life, our money was scarce. As a result, we were unable to attend all the worldly places we had once enjoyed. As I stopped filling my life with earth's pleasures, once again I felt that deep yearning toward God that had never been satisfied. I