Touched by an Angel: The Battle

By Jada A. Smith

What do you do when youve asked for help and received no aid? When youve prayed all that you could pray and there was no sign of change, what do you do? Meet sixteen-year-old Tracy and her thirteen-year-old brother Jeremiah. Two teens facing difficulties and going through hard times as they turn away from Gods word and fall deeper into the wicked world. Since the very day their father died, Tracy, despite their fateful attempts to reach out to her, has shunned her friends, refusing to let anyone get too close and see the pain she possesses and Jeremiah chose to drown his sorrows in the demonic spirit of drugs and alcohol, along with a new crowd to hang out with. Just when all hope seems frail and it looks like the sun has set for good, Jack steps in, bringing the word of God with him. No one knows who he is or where he came from but he is on a mission and has a secret. Tracy is taught that life goes on even after it ends and Jeremiah learns that only God can take the pain away. Jack changes their lives in teaching them that God may not always come when you want him, but hell be right there on time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463430764

Jada A. Smith

Jada Smith began writing and drawing at a very young age. By her high school years, she had amassed a portfolio of illustrations, poetry, and short stories. Jada’s passion for words and images led to the publishing of her first chapter book for young readers ~ Touched By An Angel. Released in 2008, Touched By An Angel received much acclaim and led to the young author’s first literary award; The Aida Ford Scholar award. The honor is presented by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World at their annual conference to recognize authors in the field of Christian Education. At 16, Jada was the youngest author (to date) to ever receive the award. Jada’s inspiration for the Touched By An Angel series came from her spirited involvement at Greater Morning Star Apostolic Ministries in Upper Marlboro, MD under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Johnson. Jada is a faithful member in the Youth Choir, Sunday school, and several other youth activities. She is currently a student at George Washington University where she is double majoring in Education and Creative Writing. Touched by An Angel is in its second print.

Book preview

Chapter 1

And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;

-Deuteronomy 20:3

Deep inside the walls of Gold Wood Middle School, thirteen-year-old Jeremiah sat in the third row of his social studies class. He slouched down in his chair, quietly jotting down notes on what the teacher was saying. His hand muscle cramped and he stopped writing until the pain passed. He glanced up at the clock with his alert, brown eyes. It read 11:59 am. He felt his cheeks warming, and his heart rate began to increase as the hands of the clock inched their way up the circle. 3, 2, 1, brrrrrrrrriiiing! Lunch time; Jeremiah immediately looked down at his feet, refusing to make eye contact with any of his peers as they exited the classroom.

Miah, a soft voice called. Jeremiah looked up towards the front of the room, where his teacher stood behind her desk staring curiously at him.

Are you alright? the teacher asked. She had a mocha chocolate skin tone, with cool black hair that had recently been cut into a classic bob. She wore a fitted black skirt, and a dark green blazer, that complemented her deep brown eyes.

Yeah, Mrs. Patterson, Jeremiah said finally, I’m good. When the last student turned the corner, he gathered his blue binder and social studies book in his arm.

Well I’ll see you tomorrow then. Mrs. Patterson replied.

Yeah, Jeremiah said as he heard his stomach growl, tomorrow. He got up from his desk, and stepped out into the hallway. He kept his gaze forward as he made his way toward his locker, eager to grab his brown bagged lunch, trying hard to ignore the intense stares, and mocking whispers from the other students.

That’s him. That’s the stoner. He heard a girl named Ava whisper to her friend, Carlie.

I heard he got shot at during a drug trade, but the bullet missed and hit another guy in the crew. He caught a boy named Michael say to his friends Brendan, and Darryl.

Nah man, I heard the dude was an innocent bystander. Miah shot him himself during a break-in. Darryl said, falsely correcting Michael. Jeremiah’s stomach muscles tightened as his cheeks burned in embarrassment.

It’s not true. He mumbled to himself, finally arriving to his locker as his stomach roared with hunger. He spun the lock right, then left, then right again. It unlocked with a ‘click’ and he pulled it open by the metal handle. Jeremiah’s eyes grew wide at the sight of a white powder in a small plastic bag taped to the top of the locker door. He pulled off the yellow sticky note that was attached to the bag. It read: Just Do It. He looked up at the plastic bag and then back down at the note.

I’m sure this isn’t what Nike had in mind when they came up with their slogan. He sighed. He snatched the plastic bag off of the door, and ripped it open. He brought it to his nose, and sniffed.

Baby powder, he said to himself. Suddenly a random gust of air came through. He crumpled up the yellow sticky note and tossed it, as well as the plastic bag, to the floor. He slammed his locker shut, disregarding his lunch, and walked up the hallway towards the library. He wasn’t hungry anymore.

Chapter 2

But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

-Judges 20:14

Sixteen-year-old Tracy slammed her locker door shut. As she turned, her nerves were thrown about, causing her to jump, at the sight of one of her three best friends. Evie stood with a smirk spread across her chocolate brown face, and contentment shimmering in her eyes. Tracy grabbed at her heart, trying to slow down the pace. Evie giggled as she adjusted her brown, honey blond streaked micro braids.

Don’t do that! Tracy cried. She hated when Evie got in her face like that.

I get you every time. Evie laughed. Tracy rolled her eyes at her friend’s humor.

Keep playin’. You’re going to give me a panic attack one of these days. Tracy mumbled. Evie playfully jabbed her in the shoulder.

Lighten up, Tracy. She chuckled as they made their way down the busy hallway. Tracy sighed in response. They rounded the corner, spotting their other two friends, Karri and Amber, standing by the water fountains. Karri had a cream colored skin tone, and shoulder-length jet black hair. Amber had a mocha colored skin tone, and wore her long dark brown hair in two French braids.

Evie, Tracy! Amber called out, waving her hand in the air, summoning them over to where she and Karri stood.

Hey ya’ll, Tracy said, greeting her two friends with a small hug. Evie did the same.

So, what’s going on? Evie asked.

We were just talking about the youth service we had at church last Friday. Karri said.

Karri, the praise team was on point starting off the service. Evie complimented.

It was nothin’ but the Lord. Karri explained. During rehearsal none of us could hit the notes on the last song, and Joe had trouble remembering what key to play the song in on the organ. It was a blessing that we sounded so good. Now how about that Holland Davis?

Man, he can sure preach. Amber stated.

Oh yes. That is one anointed man. Tracy added. He set it off in there.

I can’t wait till he comes back to town. Evie said, as the others nodded in agreement. So we doin’ that fast he suggested we do?

I know I am. Karri said. I started today.

"Listen, I’m all for showing my dedication to the Lord,