The Bag Lady

By Lavern O. Staten

The Bag Lady was created out of the many little stories told to me down through my career dealing with young adults who lack God in their lives. Listening and telling young people about Jesus and choices motivated me to write this book, in hopes that it would help them understand that man may let them down but God wont.

The Bag Lady is filled with little stories of young, struggling women who put themselves in danger, looking for love and desperately seeking ways to get on the right path of life. This book also teaches that looking for love in the wrong places and then trying to get revenge can lead to destruction. Finally, it teaches that you must be true to yourself and have faith in God and depend on Him only to take you through the storms of life. Why settle for less, when God can give you more that you need, if only you would trust Him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490828053

Lavern O. Staten

Dr. Lavern Staten is a retired principal who lives in a small town in Georgia with her loving husband, Broadnax. She has one son, Gregory, who is the sunshine of her life. She is blessed to have her ninety-year-old mother, Tomma, and sister Blon, living next door to her. Her mother still cooks for the family. Dr. Staten was an educator for many years. She taught elementary, middle and college-level students. She loves writing, traveling, and driving sports cars. But most of all, she loves sharing the goodness of God with others.

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Copyright © 2014 Lavern O. Staten.

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Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-2806-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2805-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014903860

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/25/2014

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Reflections

Little Story #1 (Susan)

Little Story #2 (No Name)

Little Story #3 (Sandy and Sue)

Reflections

Little Story #4 (Sarah)

Reflections

Little Story #5 (Mr. and Mrs. Henry)

Reflections

Little Story #6 (Queen)

Little Story #7 (Belinda Hiccups)

Reflections

Little Story #8 (Cashier)

Reflections

Little Story #9 (The Church Lady)

Little Story #10 (The Park)

Reflections

Dedication

To my mother, sisters, and nieces

For their daughters

For my stepdaughters

For my cousins and their children

For the next generations of

WOMEN

Acknowledgments

Special thanks, to my friend and my loving husband, Broadnax, who has traveled with me all through this journey. I owe endless gratitude to my sisters, Blondell and Claudette, for their encouragement. I thank God for my mother, Tomma, for loving me and assuming my cooking duties as I completed this book of short stories.

As always, thanks to my son, Gregory, who makes every day of my life joyful.

Introduction

It seems like many women are on the prowl trying to find peace and happiness because of their pain and suffering. The truth is, they might be looking in the wrong places. Life was a gift from God out of love, and how we live is our appreciation to Him. Yet, many refuse to seek the one who has all things in His hands and that can give them inner peace and love forever! God the Father made us in His own image. For this we should give thanks and praises to His Holy name.

Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Matthew 22:37–39 KJV

Over time we are reminded that we must always pray and ask God to help us make the right choices. It seems that we had rather struggle than look to Jesus for guidance. Relationships are the most important and everlasting of all human networks. Yet countless people are looking for relationships that last and are full of love, respect, and understanding. But most are sour and troubling. Others seem one-sided and out of balance. Many relationships begin with happiness and are full of love, but end up freezing cold, with persons falling out of love with their once lover. Maybe it was because they didn’t take the time to become