Past Forward to Faith and Love

By Rod Hunt

From a past of unfulfilled attempts at self-sufficiency and individualism to the present and future of faith, hope, and love, the author shares his personal testimony and discovery of a joy and peace that can only be found in the Creator of life. This collection of poetry takes the teachings of experience and connects them to a higher power and creates a rebirth and a new outlook on life; in turn, it inspires the reader to strive toward the freedom of allowing all pursuits and troubles to be placed in the hands of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504954907

Rod Hunt

Rod Hunt is a native of Waycross, Georgia. He currently resides in Jesup, Georgia, as a full-time power plant operator. Growing up, he was always an avid reader and had an interest in liberal arts, attending college as an English major for several years before dropping out due to what he describes as “a lack of faith, direction, and ambition.” After dropping out, college and all other aspirations were eventually replaced by complacency with the common work force, bad habits such as alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and questionable decision-making. He attributes this downward spiral to the departure of his spiritual upbringing, which was the foundation of his family. Fifteen years later, prayers and experience has brought him back up to his spiritual roots and closer to God than he’s ever been. He looks to use his newfound faith, direction, and ambition to reopen the doors to his old dreams.

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© 2015 Rod Hunt. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/09/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5491-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5490-7 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Part 1 Gaining On My Past

My Sweet, Dear Life

Blissful Regrets

Mood Swing Shift (Dickie Blues)

Just A Man

Blood And Water

Family Cries

Questions Of A Confused Love

An Odeless Farewell

Too Much But Not Enough

From Something To Nothing

Part 2 Entering The Realm Of Life

Closet Faith?

Pleasure Traps

Soul Mate Market

Tied Demons

Upsetting The Bar

Lady Lust

World Of Freedom

Lonely Emotions

Call … Waiting

Fire Of Trust

Conqueror

Part 3 Faith: Back Ahead Of My Time

Soul Confirmation

Mirror Of Beliefs

Heaven On Earth

Struggle Of Beauty

His Light

Mediocre Ministry

Faith Of An Oak Tree

Lost Miracles

Within His Realm

Off The Chainless Plank

Eternal Witness

Part 4 Discovery Of Real Love

Truly One Love

Hood City Love

Friends Finally

Love She Never Had

Gutters Of Paradise

Are You Ready?

Gold Coin Toss

Feel-Good Family

Joe Pete

Living Like She Loved

Best For Last (Tribute To My Grandma, Mu)

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the memories of some of my loved ones departed; to those, even in their absence, who still resonate in my mind and are still pushing me to be the best man that I can be: Big Mama (Great grandmother), Mu (Grandmother), Mr. Floyd (Step Grandfather), Uncle Joe Pete, Uncle Hozea, Uncle Shorty Red, Aunt Totsie, Aunt Betty, and my Hood City brother, Eric Reed. We’ll all meet in heaven soon. Much love.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank God for giving me life and the gift of writing. I thank my parents, Albert and Felecia Hunt, for sticking together for all these years to make sure my sister and I knew that love is infinitely bigger and more important than anything we can imagine. I thank Candace Hunt for being that overprotective yet caring and close sister. I’m thankful for all my family and friends who have encouraged me through the years to keep writing. The list is too long to mention, but just know that I love you all. God bless.

PART 1

GAINING ON MY PAST

We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back the soonest is the most progressive man.

—C. S. Lewis

MY SWEET, DEAR LIFE

I came in during the late nights with a staggered swag,

Giving you promises I couldn’t keep.

Next morning, it was better to sleep in than to speak;

I got along better with you when I napped.

I ignored you when I did awake,

Then left you alone to fulfill my loneliness for lust’s sake,

And I only worked to support our separation.

If unfulfilled, I called you a bitch to your face,

But I would smile if all my fronts were in place.

I didn’t want you, yet you were to blame for my problems.

I saw you as useless and meaningless,

Then looked to those same words