Daughters of Grace

By Jeannie Kirkpatrick

Four women, Four challenges, Four choices.
 

Sybil, will she answer God's call, stand up to those who ridicule or stay in her secure world?
 

Hope, she was rescued off the streets. When given the opportunity, will she forgive or will she have her revenge?
 

Olivia, she has lost her family, rejected by her church, alone she starts down a path to nowhere, will she be able to turn her life around forgive and move forward?
 

Samara, is in a living hell on earth, will she find the courage to walk through the door that God has opened for her?
 

Will they choose to go the way of the world or will they chose to be Daughters of Grace?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeannie Kirkpatrick
• Release date: Apr 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386171737

Jeannie Kirkpatrick

About the Author Jeannie Kirkpatrick in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband of 50 years. She is the proud Mom of three handsome boys, 3 beautiful daughters-in-law. Fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jeannie started writing ten years ago. Rock Bottom, however, is her first published novel. Her current work in progress is a book of devotionals she hopes to have published by the end of 2019. In addition to writing, Jeannie also speaks at Christian Women events. You may contact her through her web site at: www.jeanniekirkpatrick.com If you have enjoyed or were bless by this book please leave a review on the venue were the book was purchased.

Book preview

Dedicated

To my Dad who taught us by example.

You loved us all, and it showed

Thank You

To Paul the love of my life.

You put up with late lunches, cranky wife and never

Complained.  Your

Encouragement and support are priceless to me.

Copyright

Ⓒ 2016 Jeannie Kirkpatrick

ISBN:

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction.  Any names or characters, businesses, places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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All Scripture references used in this book are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version® (NKJV). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Courageous Grace

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;

do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,

for the Lord your, God is with you wherever you go."

(Joshua 1:9)

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Ms. Brown was known to her friends as Sylvia. With her auburn hair and emerald-green eyes, Sylvia never considered herself anything other than passably pretty, but her late husband had called her beautiful. She had married and was then widowed all before her thirtieth birthday. For the last ten years, Sylvia had worked as a librarian in her hometown of Gardendale. Her life was simple and structured; she attended church on a regular basis, tended her garden, and loved her two German shepherd dogs, Hoss, and Tiny.

Sylvia would have liked to marry again; however, with her fast approaching that ripe old age of forty, the prospect of another husband simply could not be seen in the near future. Sylvia spent most of her time volunteering for the women’s ministry at her church. Since she had never had (and figured she would never have) children, she spoiled her two nieces and three nephews. She also made sure they attended Sunday school and church every Sunday. Sylvia was a quiet, unassuming woman who preferred to work in the background on church projects and never sought the limelight for herself. The one matter that Sylvia was passionate about was her faith in Christ.

One Sunday Sylvia walked into the sanctuary after Sunday school. As she looked around for her nieces and nephews and concluded that they had not yet been dismissed from their classes, she noticed an unfamiliar face. Sylvia thought the young lady standing in the back looked somewhat unsure of herself. Perhaps I can help put her at ease.

As she came closer to the new visitor, Sylvia noticed that while her clothes were clean, they were very worn. The blonde girl with brown eyes was  petite and quite beautiful. Sylvia did notice that her hair was badly in need of a trim and that her nails had been chewed or broken down to the quick. Sylvia greeted her. Welcome to our church! We are so happy you’re here. Sylvia had to listen closely to hear the very shy response. Thank you.

My name is Sylvia Brown.

Timidly, the visitor replied, Mine is Hope Delano.

Encouraged by Hope’s brief reply, Sylvia gently took her hand. Well, Hope, I am so happy to have you here. Would you like to sit with me this morning? Hope nodded her head and went with Sylvia. Sylvia and Hope had just been seated when Sylvia’s nieces and nephews arrived. After Sylvia introduced Hope to them, they all settled in for the morning service.

After church, Sylvia made sure the children had safely joined their parents. She said goodbye to Hope and invited her to return. As she watched Hope walk to her car, Sylvia sighed and went to meet her friends. Every Sunday, she went to lunch with the other single ladies in the church.

After arriving at the restaurant and placing their order, Maggie pointedly opened the conversation. Sylvia, who was the young lady sitting with you today? 

A visitor.

Well, Maggie remarked, "I hope she decides to go elsewhere. I don’t know who she is, but she certainly had drug addict and street person written all over her."

Another lady added her two cents worth to the conversation. "I know there is a church closer to the river where the street people hang out. Maybe we can gently suggest she attend there."

Sylvia was appalled by the judgments she was hearing. Where did this negative attitude toward the homeless come from? We don’t even know if Hope is homeless! Her mind suddenly stopped when she realized that she had never really thought about those who were homeless at all. Like many others, she had simply walked past them on the street, never sparing a single glance. Shame swept over her—first for her judgment toward her friends and then for her lack of compassion toward those in need. Father, forgive me, she whispered to herself.

As she turned back into the conversation at the table, she realized the conversation had deteriorated into a discussion on the undesirability of street people. Not liking the tone and direction of the conversation, Sylvia interrupted them to ask, "So what did you think about Pastor’s sermon this morning? I imagine he stepped on