When Life Cracks

By Rev. Peggie Russell

This book explores the Word of God as a road map to learning to deal with our brokenness, heartache and pain.

This book is to INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE and MOTIVATE others who may be in that dark place I found myself years ago....my darkness lasted seven (7) years.my road to healing took seven (7) years.and I was inspired to write seven (7) chapters that I hope you will use on your journey to recovery! In this book you will meet seven (7) fictional women who lives forced them to understand the term when life cracks. At the end of each chapter you will find seven (7) thought provoking questions.

I encourage you to grab your Bible and start this journey.read the chapter in the book; use your Bible to study the scriptures referenced in each chapter; spend some quality time praying and meditating on the Word of God and write your thoughts in the journal section of each chapter.

Study the power verses.copy the verses and post them somewhere that you can see them every day.speak the power verses over your life when you are facing difficult moments!

It is my prayer that GOD will speak to you exactly where you are on your personal journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 6, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467061377

Rev. Peggie Russell

Rev. Peggie Russell, JD, is an ordained Associate Minister at Greater Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. She earned her Bachelor of Professional Studies and Juris Doctorate degrees at the University of Memphis. She is a member of the Her Space in Ministry Network; the Memphis Affiliate of National Congress of Black Churches Leadership Forum; United States Corps of Chaplains and the National Alliance of Women in Ministry. Mrs. Russell is open and transparent about the darkness that clouded her life for seven years----depression, death, drugs, despair, divorce, delinquency, discomfort and discouragement all entered her life in some shape, form or fashion from 1995 to 2002. But JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING....and this author is now celebrating her morning experience. God has allowed her to receive local and national recognition as follows: • Memphis Cares Ujima Mentoring Award 2011 • Choosing to Participate: Upstander 2011 • Ordinary People Magazine Servant of the Year Award 2011 • SIS Community Leadership Award 2011 • Leading Lady of the Year Award 2010 • Tri State Defender’s 50 Women of Excellence Award 2009 • Women Making A Powerful Difference Nominee Award 2009 • SKIRT Magazine SHERO Award 2009 • Jefferson Award 2008) • Tom Joyner “Hardest Working” Award in 2007 • 50 Women Who Makes A Difference Award 2007 • Hickory Ridge Middle School Parent of the Year 2007 • Daily Point of Light –Washington, DC 2007 • U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award 2007 • Nike Inc. African American Network Leadership Award 2007 • Memphis Urban League Just Do It Award 2006 • “Spirit of Giving” Adult Volunteer of the Year 2006 • Nike Inc. Just Do It Award (Toronto, Canada) 2004

Book preview

© 2011 by Rev. Peggie Russell, JD. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 12/01/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4670-6136-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-6137-7 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011918329

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

A Conversation… .

LIFE LESSON FROM THE CONVERSATION

How to Use This Book

Power Verses

for The Journey

Prayer for the Journey

Chapter I

The Sermon

Think About It…

Chapter II

The Sermon

Think About It…

Chapter III

The Sermon

Think About It…

Chapter IV

The Sermon

Think About It…

Chapter V

The Sermon

Think About It…

Chapter VI

The Sermon

Think About It…

Chapter VII

The Sermon

Think About It… .

Conclusion

RESOURCE GUIDE

WE ALL NEED LIFESAVERS… .

10 Tips for Cultivating A Support Network

Resources for Parents of Missing Children

HIV/AIDS SUPPORT RESOURCES

Support for Minister’s Wives

Support for Prisoners

This book is dedicated with love to:

• My husband, Rev. Cedric L. Russell. I am thankful to have a husband who understands the calling God has placed on my life. I share my life with a man who loves me and encourages me to follow my dreams.

• My biological children-Brandy, Jessie, Gary and Brianna. My God-given son, Jamie. My step-children-Cedric Jr, John, Demetrius and Danielle. And all the children who have chosen to call me Mama. I love each of you.

• My siblings-Jessie, James and Marvin.

• My church family at Greater Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

• My personal and professional mentors. Especially the members of the Memphis Affiliate of National Congress of Black Churches Leadership Forum.

• The many, many friends who God have placed on my journey Special love to Belinda Simpson, Glenda Adams Carson, Nicole Gates, Tonni Chew, Etandra Douglas and Teara King—these ladies have touched my heart in a magnificent way!

• And to the memory of my loving parents, Jessie James Short and Brunell Short.

Introduction

The Holy Spirit dropped the title When Life Cracks in my spirit while I was attending a conference in Anaheim, California on September 18, 2008. I was in my hotel room wide awake around 4:00 am and God directed me that it was time to start publicly telling my personal testimony.

I did not know exactly how God wanted me to share the testimony but I did know that when the door opened—I planned to obediently walk through it. Since 2008, God has opened amazing doors for me to share my testimony with congregations, women ministry groups, empowerment sessions and even behind prison walls. Now it is time for me to share my story with you.

I graduated from law school on May 13, 1995. I am the youngest child of parents who both had a sixth grade education. In 1995, I was celebrating seven (7) years of marriage to my first love and we were parents of a beautiful daughter and twin boys. My husband had a rewarding job as an Operational Manager for a local company and earned over $50,000.00 a year. Life was GOOD!

In June 1995, our home phone rang late one night. I answered the phone and life as I knew it begin to crack. My husband—my provider, my covering, my love, my strength and my best friend—was on the other end of the phone. With a shaky voice he told me that he had tried crack cocaine. That phone call was the beginning of a seven (7) year battle where the devil truly tried to take me out.

From 1995 to 2002:

1. In 1995 My first husband developed a crack cocaine addiction… Drugs

2. I started divorce proceedings in 1996 but reconciled with my husband and we gave birth to our fourth child in 1997. Yet, his addiction continued and life was a roller coaster ride until our divorce in 1999… . Discomfort/Distrust

3. Both my parents were terminally ill… mom died in 1999 and dad died in 2003. Death

4. From 1995 to 1999, as a criminal defense attorney, I was handling 30-50 felony criminal cases a week and responsible for other people’s lives… Distress

5. In 1999 at the age of twelve my daughter started acting up… running away skipping school… . in 2003 my daughter ran away from home and I did not see her for two years (from the age 16 to 18) . . . . Delinquency

6. After 12 years of marriage, I started the divorce process a second time. In September 1999 my divorce was finalized… I experienced a tremendous amount guilt and depression because the Bible says divorce is wrong… . Divorce

7. I was terrified of raising four children ALONE… Despair

8. I entered a period of depression so deep that on most days I did not want to get out of the bed… Depression

I remember being so depressed at one point that all I could do was lie on the floor in my bedroom and cry my heart out… . I laid before GOD and questioned why this was happening to me. I felt cheated because I tried to live right… treated people right… attended church… attended bible study… honored my marriage vows. Why me? Holy Spirit directed me to remember the story of Job. I cannot tell you how many times I read Job story in the Bible during this season of my life.

In 2002, God begin truly ministering to me about forgiveness, faithfulness, healing and hope. Yet, my storms were not over. My daddy died on my daughter’s sixteenth birthday—March 30, 2003. Less than one (1) month later, my daughter stole the rent money and ran away from home.

However, during this same period of time life slowly begin to shift for me… the depression lifted (with the support of professional counseling, Al-Anon attendance and six months taking the anti-depression medication Paxil) . . . I started to enjoy life again… I regained the ability to sleep through the night… . I started noticing GOD’s favor and anointing on my life.

My daughter was still missing but GOD had