Deliverance: Finding the Place of Hope in a World of Despair

By Charlsie M. Estes

America is in chaos, and were being assaulted by various forces, both internal and external. Deliverance looks at the problems we face in our own nation and on a global scale, chronicling the changes in our morality and ties to the majority of problems in front of us at this time in history. Weve lost our way; Deliverance uses personal stories of individuals overcoming life-threatening situations through redemption to show a path to recovery. If they can find joy and fulfillment, so can anyone who chooses to seek help. Everyone can find a place of hope if they simply ask.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449757793

Charlsie M. Estes

About the Author I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, just prior to the civil rights movement and the cultural revolution of the 1960s. I came from a Catholic family with military ties, so exposure to different people was the order from day one. I attended Catholic school early in my education, and diversity was present, but the religious ties that bound us made us overlook our outward appearances. When my family sent me and my brother to public school, the controversy over integration did not make sense to me. Today, I’m still quite uncertain why the emphasis is on our physical bodies instead of our inner beauty. I’ve had the pleasure of working as a nurse in a variety of clinical settings over the past four decades. I’ve had many close encounters with the human condition. I have seen people at their very best and their very worst. The human spirit never ceases to amaze me. I tried to capture the most positive angle of man’s ability to change and grow with God’s help in this writing. I want to touch the lives of those facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Having a hope there is a chance means the difference between life and death. Caring and compassionate individuals do exist. It is especially significant when they understand your predicament. I was born to be a servant; I wear the title with faith and conviction and know this is my purpose. I’m resolute in thinking words matter and the right actions can save. I too am an alumna of the Place of Hope. In 2003, I was on a trail ride when my horse was attacked by bees and went a little crazy. I jumped off the frantic horse to avoid a tragedy like the one Christopher Reeves suffered. I shattered my left leg and spent six months on crutches or in a wheelchair, underwent two surgeries to insert two plates and ten pins, learned to walk again, and ultimately had to rehab from my rehab. In my pain and loneliness, I turned to alcohol and drugs to manage the devastation. The Place of Hope has a special meaning to me. The lessons I learned and the friendships I built have forever changed my life. I now maintain my connection with the Place of Hope as a volunteer and nurse. I perform and record the tuberculosis skin testing for staff and clients and audit the medical records. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:3–5)

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Copyright © 2012 Charlsie M. Estes

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Scripture quotations are taken from The King James Version of the Bible copyright 1990.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5778-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5780-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5779-3 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/26/2012

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 Threats We Face

Chapter 2 Walter

Chapter 3 Deborah

Chapter 4 Lewis

Chapter 5 Mike and the Place of Hope

Chapter 6 Word of Life

Chapter 7 Individual Struggles Transformed into Personal Triumphs

Epilogue

About the Author

Dedicated to all those who struggle—if you’re perfect, that’s not you.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

—2 Corinthians 4:8–9

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

—Psalm 50:15

Preface

I was sitting in my living room minding my own business when a news report came on the television about human trafficking. Eighty-two out of the ninety-five counties in my home state of Tennessee had documented incidents involving this modern-day form of slavery. We’re not talking about adults; we’re talking about children—yes, minors—being sold for all types of exploitation. Now, this is alarming by any standard, but I live in the Bible Belt. This should not be happening anywhere but especially not here. If this were not troubling enough, a few weeks later, NBC chose to leave out the phrase One nation under God from our Pledge of Allegiance, which was recited just prior to the US Open Golf Tournament. This was proof for me that there are some very evil forces working out there. Not quite knowing what course I should take, I simply prayed. From that prayer came multiple answers. I got a call from an acquaintance requesting me to get involved with Prayer on the Square. This is an event focused on uniting those in the community of faith to pray publically for the complex problems we face as a nation. This opened the door to many other connections and opportunities with persons of faith and provided the inspiration for this book.

We live in a time when truth is distorted, demeaned, fabricated, and situational. This promotes disunity and division. If we can’t agree on truth, we can’t agree on anything. My purpose is to share the truth and use personal stories to bear witness.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand’ (Matthew 12:25).

And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment (Isaiah 59:14–15).

Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).

Democracy can only flourish, as your founding fathers realized, when political leaders and those whom they represent are guided by truth and bring wisdom born of firm moral principle to decisions affecting the life and future of the nation.¹

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my husband, James, of thirty years. I am grateful you have put up with me all this time. To my three wonderful daughters—Elizabeth, Michelle, and Katie—you have made my life so rich and full. To Isabella and Josh, thank you for just being yourselves and such a blessing; and our new little granddaughter Olivia, the perfect picture of beauty and innocence. To Brother Mike, you taught me the true meaning of brotherly love; through your work, I saw the love of Christ. To Pastor Steve and Mamie Gray, you are the perfect example of faith and trust in God. And thank you also to Larry, Shelly, Terry, Big Jim, Stanley, Lewis, Deborah, Walter, Jesse, Dr. Brown, and all the others who work every day to improve the human condition.

Chapter 1

Threats We Face

Americans and people all around the globe face complex situations, problems, and perils on a daily basis. Some of these threats are internal, and some come from external forces. Today, we are less equipped to cope with the magnitude and frequency of both real and perceived dangers lurking in our lives all the while possessing greater resources than ever before. We have been looking to various sources for the solutions, but we’ve been unable to fix that which is so troublesome. Where are we going wrong?

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it (Genesis 1:27–28).

The Fragile Institution Known as the Family

Since the dawn of civilization, the family has fulfilled the fundamental role of providing stability and an environment for adaptation for human beings. It is responsible for socializing the young; providing physical care, psychological support, and emotional security; and procreating the species. It provides a way to meet the universal need of belonging. It is the foundation for molding character, teaching love and commitment, and forming relationships. Parental supervision and discipline out of love are among the most vital elements for societal stability. Dr. Patrick Fagan, family therapist and former deputy of Health and Human Services, concluded that love associated with marital commitment and a strong relationship flows directly to the family and is the rock upon which one’s ability to relate to others is built. Omitting this key ingredient promotes a perilous climate for shaping our children and future generations. When family breakdown begins, problems in all areas of culture are the result.²

The disintegration of the family has preceded the