Destiny of Choice

By J. A. Gabriel

Two individuals are led on a journey of self-discovery, awakening desires, and passions that cause them to make choices that may alter their futures.

Allyson’s desire is to deepen her relationship with God and grow in her understanding of the Bible, but suddenly her own beliefs and convictions are put to the highest test—a test that will determine the outcome of her faith and character. Will she have the courage to take a stand and do what is right before God, even if it means personal sacrifice and risking everything she’s ever dreamed of attaining in life?

Dixon’s drive for fortune, fame, and daily pleasures leads him into an unexpected turn of events that ultimately shapes his destiny. But when a hidden file emerges with evidence against him, Dixon is given the opportunity to make a change. Will he attempt to destroy the evidence and protect his reputation? Or will he humble himself so healing can begin?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: Aug 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781486616961

Book preview

What People Are Saying

Using the power of story, the writer’s heart-cry for men of substance, whose inner life and character show congruence with their talk, and what they purport they believe, comes through. In an age where gender and masculinity are being redefined by popular culture, this is a refreshing look at Biblical manhood and leadership from the attitude to which Jesus calls all believers… humility and servanthood.

—Pastor Doug Gordon

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Wetaskiwin, AB, Canada

An intriguing and engaging novel, bringing Biblical principles to life in a realistic manner. I recommend it!

—Ken Daughters

Former President, Emmaus Bible College

Dubuque, Iowa, USA

If you like dynamic characters and an interesting plot, you will love this book! It is an inspiring read, prepare to be challenged. My hope is that I can look forward to more from this new author. I highly recommend this book for your reading and learning pleasure.

—Carol Loney

Counsellor

Kelowna, BC, Canada

An amazing journey interweaved with true Christian values created through strong character development, and true-to-life events, make this novel a must-read. Yes, everyone should read this book!

—J. Payne, BA

Writer and Editor

Corner Brook, NL, Canada

DESTINY OF CHOICE

Copyright © 2019 by J. A. Gabriel

All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

EPUB Version: 978-1-4866-1696-1

Word Alive Press

119 De Baets Street, Winnipeg, MB R2J 3R9

www.wordalivepress.ca

Cataloguing in Publication may be obtained through Library and Archives Canada

To my Lord Jesus Christ, who inspired this story through His Word and by revealing to me more of His all-knowing, powerful, loving, forgiving, longsuffering, and gracious heart!

To my parents for their love, support, humour, encouragement, and wisdom that enabled me to find my wings and soar into the unknown where God has called me to labour.

To my brothers, sisters, and all their spouses for their love, support, encouragement and blessing; for loving me at my worst and for confronting me with the truth of my faults and failings so I could become the best God wants me to be!

To a special friend, who offered me the comfort of their comradeship, and gave me the courage to love sacrificially again and fulfill the dreams God had placed within my heart knowing that what God had promised, He will also perform!

To all of you, near and far, for embracing the expression of my passion for the beauty of liberty that is found only in the Spirit of the Living God who sent His Son Jesus to earth to give us life, and life more abundant.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

1. An Awakening Discovery

2. Life Changing Decisions

3. Discovered Potential

4. Channel of Refinement

5. Anticipated Compensation

6. Deceptive Thinking

7. Betrayed Trust

8. Retribution’s Price

9. Faithful Confidante

10. Offering of Peace

11. Journey of Fear

12. A Tested Reputation

13. Balm of Forgiveness

14. Miracle of Audacity

15. Wasted Fortune

16. Outcome of Indulgence

17. The Reward of Justice

18. The Eye of the Storm

19. Faith’s Reward

Biblical Parallel to Destiny Of Choice

Acknowledgements

To Jeannette Payne for her editing services; for her friendship, encouragement, understanding, and wholehearted effort for the success of this book.

To Stahling Time Photography for providing their amazing skills in the details of the cover photo.

To Elizabeth Baize for her time, cooperation, and involvement with this project in modelling for the cover alongside Charlie, the black horse from Bethany Homes.

To Carol and George Loney, Ken and Carol Daughters, and Doug and Trudy Gordon for their time, shared wisdom, advice and support.

To Word Alive Press for their support throughout this whole new journey into the world of publishing.

Prologue

Virtue is to be found only when our own reservoirs of pride, strivings for self, and natural strengths are confessed to God and acknowledged with humility. By admitting our weaknesses to God, we then acknowledge His strength, saving power, mercy, and grace. Our virtue is not upon any merit of our own but found only in Jesus Christ.

How can we live a life of virtue? Only by the indwelling of His Spirit, for this enables and empowers us to live Godly lives. I, too, want to live a life of virtue before God and man. This book is a means of sharing with you a little of how God is able to create masterpieces of our lives if we entrust it all to Him.

I began to write this novel after I experienced in my own life a relationship that ultimately tested my faith in God and His Word. It was during these moments that I started to search my Bible daily. I discovered God to be all He said He was and more, and as Isaiah 59:19 says, when the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. That standard set by faith and humility allows God to have permanent control over every area of our lives no matter what the circumstances.

During each step of this journey, our lives can become portrayals of the grace and power of God. Each step, every suffering, and every instance of pain and trial can become a powerful tool in aiding, strengthening, and guiding us into paths that lead us to high places. These high places are where we discover that all God wants from us is a heart of surrender so that we can receive His blessing and ultimately discover our true destiny!

This book is not just a non-fiction novel. It is based on the actual circumstances and events of the life of a woman who lived years ago. A woman, who took courage in the midst of threatening circumstances, believed God and obtained the reward of a clear conscience, peace with God, and an ever growing love for everyone around her including her enemies.

ONE

An Awakening Discovery

Uncle Don is no longer with us, Ross. The sound of his father’s wavering voice on the other line startled him with this unexpected news. He passed away yesterday evening in his sleep. We will all miss him, son.

Thanks for calling, Dad.

I’ll stop by your ranch today to make sure everything is all right. The funeral is on Friday.

Ross Jay Harvey placed one of his hands behind his neck, the other hand gripping the phone as he managed to end the conversation in a controlled manner. He leaned back in the office chair after placing the phone on the desk and stretched his broad shoulders. His dark brown eyes scanned the ceiling momentarily as tears began to form. He quickly stood, desiring to suppress his emotion, and walked towards the window. Ross focused his gaze on the park below. It displayed the new growth of spring although a few places still revealed the remainder of the winter’s snow. Ross still preferred the quiet, small community life in the country but had discovered many places in the city of Edmonton where he could escape into nature.

There were some locations that brought him particular enjoyment. One of them, the river valley, was the largest urban park in Canada. The park presented more than 160 kilometres of maintained pathways where he spent a lot of time on his days off either rollerblading with friends, walking or biking. The winding paved pathways often led beside the banks of the North Saskatchewan River with its strong currents and altering banks and landscapes. Large and small spruce, birch, and poplar trees occasionally shaded the blacktop path from the hot summer sun where the balsam poplar trees were often leaving their fallen buds of sticky sap to rest.

Ross’s mind was far from the business requiring much-needed attention, neither was it on the architecture of the buildings across the street. His mind lingered momentarily on memories of the man that had been a part of his life. Uncle Don had been a friend, teacher, trainer, and spiritual mentor, and now, Ross contemplated the reality of this great loss of life. According to many people, the Bar H Ranch was common wilderness country, but Ross had come to love the beautiful landscape almost as much as Uncle Don. It was not only the place that had filled his mind with warm memories but the love of family and friends too.

Ross especially favoured the moments he spent working with Uncle Don even though he often spent days involved in serving the community, the church and other charities. There had been special times with Uncle Don that filled the more monotonous days on the ranch - the stories they shared around the campfire while sipping hot coffee, and the laughter over the uncommon accidental blunders of the day.

These special memories seemed to draw him back in time resembling that of a yearning for a lost love, into a day that embraced freedom from the pressures, cares, and concerns of the fast-paced life in the city. It was a special place that overlooked the river as it snaked its way through the hills, surrounded by trees and thick brush. He remembered occasionally spotting antelope bounding across the hills, but it had been more common to spot a whitetail or a mule deer. These animals often followed paths strewn with sand and low brambles up the side of the steep ridges that led to the flatlands, leaving their trail marks in the trodden ground behind them. The cries of the coyotes echoed through the hills as soon as the sun sank in the west but they were unlike the wail of sirens that echoed now from the streets below. Their cry was a sound so familiar to Ross.

The compelling awareness of the love of God had seemed to saturate every human heart that entered Uncle Don’s ranch and home. It lifted them from their worldviews and standards, up to a safe, peaceful, and pure atmosphere filled with hope, love, and faith, portraying to them a resemblance of the joys, unity, and peace that heaven holds for all those who believe in Jesus Christ.

The office walls that surrounded him could not bind his heart from the freedom of his mind. How could he picture life on the ranch without the presence and counsel of Uncle Don who had now passed from this life? Ross knew that this man’s death, the man who had not only been an uncle to him but a friend and mentor, would leave an empty place in his life and heart.

Ross, A tall, black-haired man with a neatly trimmed beard, blue eyes, and a large nose said as he poked his head through the slightly opened door, bringing Ross back to the present time with his low inquisitive tone.

Samuel, how can I help you? he replied, reaching for the pen lying on top of a stack of paper near the edge of the desk.

Samuel furrowed his eyebrows slightly, Taking a break?

I just heard some rather unexpected news. Ross cleared his throat with a cough and placed his chair once again in an upright position. The muscles on his face flexed with silent pain despite often managing to conceal his feelings. Uncle Don passed away in his sleep last night.

Sorry to hear. I know how much he meant to you and your family. When is the funeral? Samuel’s face was sober as he repositioned the chair and took a seat facing Ross. Samuel could understand the significant role that this man had in Ross’s life as he also spent days working on the ranch.

It’s this coming Saturday, but if there is anything urgent you need me to deal with, I can take it along with me.

Mr. Tyler, the accountant, was in the office again this morning. Dixon Pennington’s debt still remains unsettled.

Ross leaned forward resting his elbows on the edge of the chestnut desk and groaned before replying, Well, that should be resolved by the end of this month, and I am going to the perfect place to settle that specific problem.

Samuel gave a nod and then methodically smoothed his beard along his jaw line with his right hand, Good, I’ll take over for you here then and keep everything under control until you get back. Why don’t you take a vacation for a couple of weeks after the funeral?

Now wouldn’t that be nice, Ross answered with mild sarcasm before continuing seriously, Thanks Samuel, but there’s a lot to deal with right now. Regarding the Pennington case, Dixon has confirmed with me that he would pay us as soon as the heifers are sold.

Samuel straightened his shoulders and set his jaw. Yes, but even you stated yourself the potential risks with this man. You need a break right now considering the circumstances and it would do you a lot of good. Would you like me to give a list of explanations why?

He stopped only for a second, and before Ross could reply, he continued, using his fingers to calculate. You’re distracted from your work, you have not had a break in over two years, and besides, you’re a hard taskmaster. Please go and leave me alone for a while.

Samuel grinned as he watched Ross place his hands down on the armrests of his chair and loosen his tie slightly from around his neck. All right, I’ll do it. Now everything is up to you, old chum.

Ross picked up his briefcase after adding a few more items, then hit Samuel lightly on the back as he continued to the door. See you in a few weeks, if not sooner!

Sounds good, Samuel replied, then added with resilient confidence, By that time, Mr. Tyler and I will have the case all in order for you. If Dixon Pennington neglects to pay his dues, he’ll regret the day he ever signed an agreement with us.

That’d be nice, but we need to wait a little longer and give him the benefit of the doubt, Ross stated. Dixon has another large herd that has to be sold. We have a previous agreement to finalize the deal when all the heifers are sold.

Samuel allowed a breath of air to escape his lips and nodded, All right, but Dixon’s logic is questionable. There aren’t any problems in regards to his finances so why is he holding back?

Ross raised his eyebrows and nodded in understanding, Let’s wait a little longer and see what happens. If not, we’ll need to gather more evidence.

I’ll work on that while you’re gone although that’s not my area of expertise. Samuel offered with a grin. He could not hide his enthusiasm over the challenge of the project.

Ross reached out to Samuel and gripped his hand in a hearty handshake. Thank you, Samuel. If you need anything, call me.

Have a good trip!

Samuel stood still a moment as Ross left the room, then turned back to the desk. His blue eyes seemed to sparkle with merriment at the challenge before him, and he rubbed his hands together in eager anticipation of the work ahead. The office had been dull lately, and he always enjoyed a change or a difficult task. It prompted not only the intellect, but the imagination as well.

A few times, Samuel had seen Ross bow his head to pray after viewing a business proposal. The more complicated the matter, the more time he spent in prayer and reading the Bible. Although he did not understand the full depths of the meaning of Christianity, Samuel knew that this was the secret to Ross’s success as a businessman. Ross had turned down some opportunities because they required him to compromise his faith and conscience. However, even in spite of these actions, he was still successful and was flourishing in his climb towards the accomplishment of his goals.

Samuel walked behind the desk and sat down in the comfort of the leather chair, his fingers automatically tracing the shape of the pen in his hand, lost in thought. His thick black hair partially hid his left eye as he leaned forward and examined the papers before him.

This case would be a difficult one if Dixon refused to follow through with the agreement, but Samuel was satisfied with the work they had already accomplished. He would do everything in his power to fight for Ross’s reputation and all that he had spent years attempting to achieve. All of their effort would dissolve into nothing if they didn’t take the time to evaluate and carefully analyze all of the information on hand. Studying the file for a moment, Samuel read through all of Ross’s notes. With each additional page he read, he became increasingly aware of Ross’s genuine compassion for this individual who potentially sought to harm the businessman’s reputation and livelihood.

Samuel’s research astounded him. The ink flowed from his pen to the page, steadily filling in the lines and time slipped by unnoticed. He always preferred a pen and paper over the use of the computer keyboard on these particular tasks. The research took him back to Ross’s first meeting with Dixon Pennington to the present time. Ross revealed all of the necessary events and information that were needed. Samuel leaned back against the chair, his eyes surveying the wall before him, deep in thought. Stretching his long legs out under the desk, he felt something fall against his leg and bent down to look. His curiosity intensified when he spotted a file that was now only partially