The Spiritual Vortex of Maggie Fisher

By Sonya Turner

Tragedies in Maggie's life causes her to lose her faith, until she begins to experience strange phenomena and finds herself in the presence of angelic beings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490822525

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Copyright © 2014 Sonya Turner.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-2251-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2252-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014900660

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/19/2014

CONTENTS

Introduction

Personal Thanks

Acknowledgment

Chapter 1   Remember the days

Chapter 2   The Visitation

Chapter 3   The Awakening

Chapter 4   The Celebration of Revival

Chapter 5   What’s Faith got to do with it

Chapter 6   Forgiveness is the answer

Chapter 7   The call to purpose

Chapter 8   The Constitution of Marriage

Chapter 9   Recap of the chapters and the scriptures

Chapter 10 The Conclusion and Dedication

INTRODUCTION

T here are many levels in Spiritual growth, as a baby goes through cycles of growth. We as believers of the Holy Trinity experience spiritual growth cycles. For a person learning spiritual values, starts out on milk, than solid food. You begin to gain strength, you start learning, and understanding the spiritual message you are receiving, this is the crawling, and the walking process, and when you begin to run, you begin witnessing. 1Corinthians 3:1&2 said Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would spiritual people. I had to talk to you as though you belong to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. The levels are to gain insights of your purpose in life, which, is God’s Will and purpose for us. The Spiritual Vortex is a fictional story of a young woman dealing with life as she see it. She has given up on the spiritual values she was taught by her parents. She feels she have no need for companionship, nor time for other people. She is taken through many spiritual experience, to show her God’s love for her, as well as her misguided anger towards God, and the people in her life . Luke 15:3-7 Jesus told them this story: If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ’Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost soul who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

PERSONAL THANKS

I first give honor and thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus, and give Honor to the Father and Holy Spirit

For the inspiration and direction of this book.

I like to thank the women I have study under on my spiritual journey, and growth.

My Mother Odira Turner (July 4, 1944 - October 2003)

My Mother -in-law Louise Kenneydrew who was a mother to me

(January 1, 1942 - December 25, 2006)

My spiritual teachers I study under are women who do not know me

Iyanla Vanzant

Joyce Meyers

Maya Angelou

Their books help me in every area of my life.

I thank God for Spiritual leadership these women offered to me and many other women

without knowing.

I like to thank my children and grandchildren for their love and support and for believing in me.

LaShawndra Bills and Jeffery Bills, and their sons

LaNeisha Brown and Kenneth Brown and son

Eunice Defro and sons

Zebadiah Turner and Jeanna Turner and daughter, and son

Step sons and daughters

Regina, Kyle, Michael, Trinka, Ragina, Rayshell Chris, Amanda

And 12 step grandchildren

I thank the man of my dream, my soul mate and best friend and husband Todd Moran

for encouraging me not to give up.

My best friends who helped me with this book

Felicia Daniels

Cathrine Bradfield

Connie Andree

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

God our Father is great in love for all of us

He lives in our hearts and we are His children.

Jeremiah 1:5a I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, they are plans for good and not for disaster,

to give you a future and a hope.

Many times we stray away from God, only to feel empty inside,

and lonely, not understanding why we are having these emotions we begin to seek

other ways to fill the void.

God is Omniscient (All Knowing), Omnipotent (All Powerful), Omnipresent (Ever present, everywhere present).

I have, through my life, dealt with different levels of spiritual growth.

I have had my shares of up’s and down’s, seeking love from others instead of living

in God’s love, and learning to love myself, and others.

I no longer need validation from others, God is my validation.

This story is about a young woman who found validation in her job, and herself after the death of her parents and best friend.

She turned away from God, and lost hope in people. To her, people only leave or hurt you.

God sends His holy servants to help her find her way back to Him.

The holy servants takes her into different realms of a spiritual vortex.

The spiritual vortex aloud Maggie to see the consequences of a person choice, good or bad.

PART 1

CHAPTER 1

Remember the days

However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.

But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many.

Ecclesiastes 11:8

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say

I find no pleasure in them

Ecclesiastes 12:1

E very day the little gray-haired old woman would stop in front of Maggie’s house. Maggie would go in the house to avoid her. She didn’t like socializing much. She felt people were nosy, so whenever she saw the old woman coming, she made up an excuse to go in the house. For two days the old woman did not come by, or pass the house. A couple more days, and then a couple of weeks, and still no sign of her. Maggie did not notice and really thought nothing of it. She was more relieved, because she hadn’t had to make an excuse to hurry into the house.

Maggie was a very private person and kept to herself. She felt she did not have time for a social life. Besides, all people do is talk about one another, and she is not in the gossiping scene. Maggie basically went to work and back home, except on the days she went to visit with her Aunt Lily and Uncle John.

Maggie’s job kept her busy enough, leaving no time to think of anything sociable. She was the General Manager for one of the most popular restaurant chains in Dallas, Texas. Dealing with employees and guests all day at three different restaurants left her wanting to deal with no one, only to go home and sit quietly with herself and relax. One day, Maggie was pulling up to her house, when she saw one of her neighbors on the porch. Her neighbor was an elderly woman name Mrs. Cleveland, who was a widow.

Hello Maggie, have you heard about Joyce? She was found unconscious on the floor in her home. She had fallen down her stairs and her daughter found her. They took her to the hospital a few weeks ago. I haven’t heard anything from her daughter, I do hope she’s alright. Maggie didn’t have a chance to say anything, because Mrs. Cleveland went into her house. Maggie didn’t give the matter another thought, she was tired from work and was looking forward to a quiet evening.

Maggie has always been driven, striving to be the best at whatever she did. Her father would always tell her as a little girl, Pay attention Maggie and you will always get it right. Words she took to heart. In school, and in college, she was always at the top of her class. Social life, she had no time for, not even her neighbors. Her thought was at least she doesn’t have to make any excuses to get out of talking with them. I hope she’s fine, but she is old and shouldn’t have been allowed to live on her own, or walk up and down the street alone. They should be glad she was in the house and not on the street somewhere. Tired from work, Maggie entered the house, kicked off her shoes and slipped on her house shoes, which she kept by the door, sitting her bags down on the sofa table in front of the window facing the front of her house. She went straight to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, and to her recliner in front of the television. Turning it on to see the news, and to watch her favorite show, Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Feeling exhausted, Maggie dozed off to sleep. Living in a community with the majority being senior citizens was perfect for her. There were no loud music, or lots of children playing outside except when children came to visit their grandparents.

Maggie had a forty-five minute commute to and from work daily. Commuting took a lot out of her, so when she got home each day, she would close her curtains to block out the light and relax, watching TV until she was ready to go to bed. She did, however, make one call daily, and that was to her aunt.

Earlier that morning, Maggie’s day was filled with chaos, during her commute to work. There was a traffic jam on the main street that is freeway access. It was an unusual day, the roads had black ice on them, as the night had been rainy and unusually cold. Having a good ways to go to work, she would always leave early. The traffic in Dallas can be staggering slow. This day was different, the traffic was on Park road, which is the freeway access road. The weather report did say for people to stay home if they did not need to go out, and those that have to go out may want to leave at least an hour early. To play it smart, Maggie left two hours early and so did everybody else. Park Road was at a standstill, which frustrated Maggie, she did not worry too much since she didn’t need to be at work until nine o’clock am, but she did need to stop by the corporate office. Traffic begin moving. Maggie was able to see what was causing the traffic jam. A minivan had slid off the road into a ditch. Police and ambulance, along with the fire department was on the scene. Maggie thought to herself; No doubt someone in a hurry on this slick road. If people give themselves more time, there be fewer accidents, which causes the rest of us to be late.

Finally she got to the freeway, which was not as icy as the streets were. She still had to drive slow, there was some slick areas.

After leaving corporate, she arrived at the restaurant. Good grief, look at that line, another busy day. Maggie walks in addressing the guest with a hello as she rushes into her office. Breathe Maggie; you are used to this, but not this early, not on a day like this. You would think these people would stay home, but nooo! They are too lazy to cook. Maggie murmured to herself while she sat in her office going over papers and order forms. Well it’s time to face the day. Maggie stopped at the cash register first to check and see if the cashier needed change, and to help move the line, so she opened another register.

That will be seven fifty. Thank you.

The line was no longer out the door, so Maggie begin bussing tables and talking with the guests. Maggie managed two other restaurants, she was a District Manager, as well as General Manager. The Le French was a very popular restaurant, located next to one of the top University’s in Texas, also in the wealthiest area. Hollywood Park and College Park, where the Northern Methodist University is located. Maggie went to the kitchen to help. She was a very hands on employer, she cooked, cleaned, and made desserts. She set up the pastry counter, the coffee bar, as well as made cappuccinos and Frappuccino’s, caramel macchiato and chocolate macchiato for the guests.

Le French was very popular with the college students, as well as the residents, since it sat right across the street. Students were able to have lunch there and do some studying also. Maggie was extra nice to the students. They did not have to pay full price; she gave them a discount as long as they had their student ID cards. She attended the University and graduated summa cum laude, with a Bachelors and then her Master’s degrees in Business Management.

The morning rush had died down and they were preparing for the noon/ lunch rush. Maggie had her workers reset everything. She had to leave for one of the other restaurants for the lunch hour, which was not as busy as the University restaurant. Then she went to the down town restaurant for the dinner rush, also not as busy as the University store. After the dinner rush was over, Maggie left for the corporate office to do her reports and see Mr. Zimmerman, the CEO, for a business meeting. All the restaurant managers, assistance managers, general and district managers had to attend. Being a business woman, Maggie did not socialize much with employees, however; she did interact with the Big Hat. They were interesting and she only dealt with them in a work setting, not outside work, it had to be work related.

The sun came out and melted the remaining ice. Maggie decided not to go to the corporate meeting, she was feeling very fatigued and decided to go home instead.

Once Maggie was home, she turned on her TV and got a cup of coffee and sat to watch the news and her favorite show Law and Order.

Dozing off in her recliner, Maggie drifted into a restless sleep just as the anchor reporter begin talking about the accident. She begin dreaming of the old gray haired lady, however the old lady appeared different, her face was glowing, it was like looking at the sun. She was standing in front of Maggie’s gate with her hands together in a praying position. Maggie suddenly awoke in a panic;

Wow, that was weird. She thought, getting up to turn in for the night. Thinking about the dream, as she took off her clothes and slipped on her pj’s to get into bed.

Man that was weird, I wonder if that’s a sign that Ms. Joyce had died. I’ll ask Mrs. Cleveland tomorrow if she’s heard anything. She knows everything that happens around here. I wonder if she has any family, I’ve never seen anyone at her house except for the meals on wheel guy. Maggie said to herself as she brushed her teeth, and began laughing at the thought of Mrs. Cleveland.

Busy, busy, busy, busy body. I hope when I reach her age I’m not in everybody’s business. Maggie laughing at herself, and then she said, I bet she sit with her chair near the window so she can see everything that’s happening on this street.

Maggie shrugged it off, taking off her robe to get into bed, she had not been able to get any real sleep so she took a couple of sleep aids hoping she would get a good night sleep. Maggie started her day brushing her teeth, shower, and get dressed. The smell of coffee permeated the air, letting her know her coffee was ready. Maggie grabbed a cup, turned on the morning news to get the weather and traffic report. Sipping her coffee, she made a call to Mr. Zimmerman about the meeting she missed. There was no answer so she left a message.

I will be stopping by the office this morning. I hope the meeting went well. Sorry I didn’t make it, however I wasn’t feeling very well, so if you would like to bring me up to speed on what it was about, I’ll be there around eight. See you then.

Mr. Zimmerman was waiting for Maggie to come in. She passed by his door, Maggie, he called out.

Oh, I didn’t see you Carl.

Come in, take a seat. How are you feeling today? he asked, concerned for her health.

Better. So what was the meeting about? Sorry I missed it, explained Maggie.

Well, he said with a smile as he continued, We are opening a Le French restaurant up in Houston, and we were wondering if you would like to oversee the development. Now, the building is already built, and most of the construction is finished, however, we need someone to hire the staff, and to make sure the setup is accurate. Would you be interested in going?

Maggie’s heart begin to beat fast and she had butterflies in her stomach. When do I leave? This was a chance for her to get away from her everyday norm.

Mr. Zimmerman handed her the flight itinerary and plane ticket.

I was hoping you would say yes. I feel you are the person I can count on for getting the job done right. Oh, by the way, here is a credit card for expenses. No personal shopping! Just kidding. I’m sure you may want to buy some souvenirs.

Will someone be meeting me there? inquired Maggie as she takes the envelop package from him.

Yes, Mr. Holmes will be meeting you at the airport. He can take you to the site and your hotel. You may want to go to the hotel first to relax from the flight. Whatever you decide to do. Meanwhile I’m going to fly out a couple of managers to help when the restaurant is near opening.

So, what area are we opening? asked Maggie.

It’s downtown Houston, the business area. And if it does well, we may open another one. We’ll see. Ok kiddo, why don’t you take the day off so you can get packed and take care of any odds and ends. Make phone calls if need be. You may want to pack enough for a month or two, because I’m not sure exactly how much has been done, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

When Maggie got home, she was still excited. She kicked off her shoes, dance around and song, I’m going to Houston, over and over again, I’m going to Houston. I don’t have to look at the same faces for a while, yah, yah, yah, Houston here I come!

Maggie made a cup of coffee, still warm from the morning. Her coffee maker was an automatic and shut off after three hours if there is coffee in it and shuts off when it’s empty, so when she came in the coffee was still on and warm. She poured a cup and went outside to sit on her porch.

It was a warm day; the sun was shining, birds chirping, squirrels running back and forth, up and down trees as they played. It was a good day.

Oh nooo! Mrs. Cleveland! Maggie murmured.

Hi Maggie.

Hi Mrs. Cleveland. Nice day, huh?

Yes, I guess. Did you hear? Joyce passed away, I saw her daughter at her house packing up her things.

No, I didn’t. When did she pass?

Yesterday. Explained Mrs. Cleveland.

Maggie looked very surprised. Do you know about what time?

Her daughter said about six or seven o’clock, I think. I can’t remember the exact time.

Maggie thought about her dream she had when she fell asleep in her chair the day before. Could that been Ms. Joyce I dreamed about? How weird… Why would she come to me in my dream?

Maggie, are you ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Oh, yeah, Mrs. Cleveland, I’m fine. I just had a weird feeling come over me. I think I’m going to go lay down. I don’t feel so good.

Alright dear, I’ll see you later. You get some rest and take care of yourself.

Thanks, you have a good day. Maggie said as she got up from her chair to go in the house. Thinking about her dream and wondering why Ms. Joyce would appear to her made Maggie feel guilty. Whenever Ms. Joyce took her daily walk, if she saw Maggie, she would stop to speak, and Maggie would make an excuse to not talk. She was a nice old lady and I wouldn’t even give her time of day and now she’s dead.

Maggie called her Aunt, because she was a bit sad about the news.

Hi Aunt Lily. Are you busy?

Hi sweetie, no I’m not. What’s wrong?

"Can I