The Arithmetic of the Devil

By Clara Griffin King

We are in a continual battle with the devil, and it is pleasing to know in Gods Word that there is a solution to all that you go through, and that solution is Jesus Christ. It is only through Him that we will find our way to victory! When you feel you are in a no win situation, STAND!

STAND- on the Word of God

STAND - on the promises of God

STAND - on what you believe

His Word is still standing after 2000 years and counting

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493181728

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Copyright © 2014 by Clara Griffin King.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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 any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 03/12/2014

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Contents

Preface

Chapter One     IN THE BEGINNING

Chapter Two     A BRAND NEW LIFE

Chapter Three     THE TALL DARK HANDSOME STRANGER

Chapter Four     A STRANGER CALLS

Chapter Five     SCHOOL DAYS

Chapter Six     THE HOSPITAL

Chapter Seven     The rebirth

Chapter Eight     THE INTRUDER

Chapter Nine     SUMMER VACATION

Chapter Ten     EMPTYING THEIR VESSELS

This book is dedicated to everyone who knows that there is a dark side lurking in the atmosphere at all times. It is designed to keep you alert, aware and informed, that even though this book is fiction, these things have happened to people. We must always be aware that Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy whomever he can, because he realizes he only has but a short time left on this earth.

I thank any and everyone that encouraged me to write this manuscript and also for the ones that pushed me to never give up.

I thank my husband for hanging in there through the rough spots, and I also appreciate the love and care that my children rendered me in my times finishing this book.

To God be the glory!

Preface

Ephesians 6:10-13: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

We are in a continual battle with the devil, and it is pleasing to know in God’s Word that here is a solution to all that you go through, and that solution is Jesus Christ. It is only through Him that we will find our way to victory!

When you feel you are in a no win situation, STAND!

STAND—on the Word of God

STAND—on the promises of God

STAND—on what you believe

His Word is still standing after 2000 years and counting . . .

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL

Chapter One

IN THE BEGINNING

Eleven years old! Crystal had finally made it to the sixth grade. When summer vacation is over she would be going to the sixth grade. Crystal St. James and her mother lived in a middle class section of Chicago. Her mother Sarah had raised her all alone after Crystal’s father left her upon hearing that Sarah was pregnant. Crystal never knew her father, and her mother rarely ever talked about him to her, but when she did, she did not have any bad things to say about him. She always told Crystal about the good times they shared together.

Sarah was young when she got pregnant with Crystal. She finished High School but did not have a chance to go to college but she was determined to make a life for her baby. Although her mother offered to raise Crystal, Sarah wanted to be the one to teach her child all the good things her mother had taught her. Sarah felt her mom did such a great job being a mother and raising her, she could not dream of her taking on the responsibly of raising her child; she felt that was her responsibly and not her mothers. Sarah had friends who became pregnant and left their babies with their mothers, and she just felt like it was not right for children to do their parents like that. Some of these children ended up hating their mothers for leaving them and became really rebellious, and Sarah knew she wanted more for Crystal. The few friends she thought she had no longer wanted to associate with her because they felt like Sarah wasn’t cool enough to hang out with them because she made a decision and stood firm on raising her own child, and finishing school.

Jesse (Crystal’s daddy) left her as soon as he found out Sarah was pregnant. He told Sarah she was not going to mess up his life with a child he is not ready for. He did not want the responsibility of being a dad. He enjoyed the sex without protection, but did not want the responsibility of the outcome of that decision.

How well Sarah remembered all that he said to her the night Crystal was conceived. He promised her what ever happened with them having sex without protection, he would stand by her side, and help her in every way he could, but when the conception happened he bailed out like Sarah knew he would. Yes it was a devastating blow to her but she did not have the option to back out because of her love for God and creation. Even though she was only sixteen when she got pregnant, her mother instincts took over. She wanted the best for this child and vowed within herself, that if she had to work her fingers to the bone for this child to have a good life, then that was what she was going to do.

Jesse played football and was the star quarterback of the High School team and ended up not doing anything with his life. His father died and it was downhill from there. The last she heard, he was living on the streets and bumming for money every chance he got.

Even though it hurt Sarah to know Jesse did not mean half of the things he promised her, she still could not hate him. She only felt sorry for him and continued to pray for him. She did not understand why fatherhood scared him so. Was it because of his childhood? He never mentioned it to her and she never really met his parents. She knew his mom went to bars but that is about all she knew about them. Sarah remembered her mother warning her about the tricks Satan plays in the minds of people but Sarah did not want to hear that at the time. All she knew is that she loved Jesse and if her mother would just understand him like she did, she would see that Satan had nothing to do with what Jesse was saying because he truly loved her. With that being said, Sarah decided to have sex with Jesse, and whatever the outcome, they would deal with it together.

The beautiful thing about Sarah’s mom, was the fact that she never said those four words many say; I told you so. She only opened her arms and said, We will get through this together. She told Sarah to repent before God of the sins she committed, and to allow God to help her get her life back on track.

After graduating, Sarah went to the library and got books that taught her how to type. Day in and day out she would practice on her father’s old typewriter. She was not going to throw her life away. She wanted to be somebody. She wanted her life to mean something.

So many of her friends were now alcoholics, drug addicts, drug pushers, and prostitutes. These were children she grew up with in the Church, who had 4.0 grade averages. She wanted more for herself and her baby, and she also wanted her mother to be proud of her. As she continued practicing on the typewriter everyday, she made it up in her mind that she would be the best she could be for the sake of her family and herself. Maybe later she would think about going to college but right now she would study and learn on her own, a Trade, so that when the baby gets here, she would be able to find a job and be able to support the both of them. After all, she was not going to live on her mother like the rest of her friends were doing.

When Sarah wasn’t typing she was reading the Bible. She had read it through and through so many times. She remembered the first time she read it, she didn’t know half of the words, but she read it, and now she was reading the Word to the unborn child at night before retiring for bed.

Sarah taught Sunday School to the young adults at the church they attended and loved being around them. They all looked up to Sarah because she was different than all the rest. She truly cared about them. The Pastor told Sarah that because of the situation of her pregnancy (a young mother unmarried) she would have to relinquish her duties until after the baby was born, and she could then rededicate her life to Christ. Sarah was fine with that because she knew she had sinned before God, having sex without being married. The Pastor took her under his wing and began to teach her the Word and would take her to seminars with his wife whenever time permitted. He repeated in his teaching, what Sarah’s mom told her about repentance. He explains to her that repentance meant that you turn your life around, not making the same mistake again and dedicating to doing His will and not her will. She loved the Pastor because he was there for them when her grandfather died. She was very close to her Grandfather. She loved having talks with him and loved the wisdom and knowledge God had given him, so when he died, the Pastor took up where he left off. She could always talk to him about anything that was troubling her and he and his wife were always there with a listening ear. He was a joyous man and loved to see people laugh. He had two children of his own, ages five and seven. He and his family were a beautiful portrait of life! Sarah would always say jokingly to her Pastor, I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Sarah had gotten really big her last trimester and was waddling around the house but still in good spirits. She and her mother laughed a lot and talked quite a bit. Sarah was doing so much housecleaning this particular night before she went to bed. Her mom tried to get her to slow down and rest, but she continued to clean.

As soon as she sat down, her water broke. The baby was coming! Mom! There’s water all over the place! Come look! It’s everywhere! Her mom came downstairs with a big towel in her hand, stopped at the base of the stairs and called the ambulance. She went to her daughters side to keep her calm. The baby is coming now . . . right mom? Sarah asked. No, sweetheart, the baby is turning and is getting ready to come but you still have a ways to go. I have called the ambulance and they are on the way. Sarah’s mom put the towel under Sarah and Sarah broke out in laughter; how do I stop the water from flowing? Her mom began to laugh with her as she told her, it was out of her control as far as the water was concerned.

The ambulance arrived and they began loading her into the vehicle. Sarah was looking worried and had her arm out reaching for her mom. When her mom stepped up beside the stretcher, she pulled her close to her so she could whisper something in her mom’s ear, I don’t even have a name for the baby. She said. Her mom had tears in her eyes as she spoke these words; when you see your baby, you will know what to name him or her. By the time they made it to the hospital, Sarah was screaming to the top of her lungs!

Every few minutes, the pain got worse. When her mother met them at the door of the hospital, Sarah was in tears as she muttered, Mom please help me . . . it hurts so bad! You could see the fear on her face, and her mom held her hand as they wheeled her into the delivery room.

Sarah could hear voices in her head saying You are so close to death, why don’t you just give up and die? She shook her head and began breathing short breaths. She heard the voice again. Many women have died in child birth. She ignored the voices as she concentrated on how much God loves her and cares for her. Just knowing in her heart that God forgave her for the sin she committed, gave her the strength she needed to go further and bring this baby into the world. With everything that was going on and the voices distracting her, she hadn’t even realized she had given birth until she heard a baby’s cry. It was her baby! A beautiful baby girl, with the most beautiful blue eyes you have ever seen. There this little bundle of joy was, sitting in the doctor’s hands looking around like she knew who she was looking for. When her eyes were fixed on Sarah she began to squirm and twist, as the doctor brought her over to meet her mother. Sarah, reaching for the baby called her Crystal. You are as beautiful as crystal and your eyes remind me of a blue sea! Tears were flowing out of her eyes as she kissed her forehead. She told the lovely baby how God had smiled on her. When she told her baby that, the baby puckered her lips as if she was a movie star.

The nurses took the baby from her to clean her up and told her they would be bringing her later so she could feed her. Sarah watched as they took her little bundle of joy away. She relaxed and took a deep breath while the doctors began working on her again. When Sarah came to, she was in her own room. She laid there thinking about the whole of things and came to realize how blessed she was to be able to bring a life into the world, and also how blessed women are to go through that much pain and come out with a smile of their faces! She was exhausted. That was hard work, but well worth the pain. Her mom was sitting in the chair right beside her bed as she dozed back off to sleep. While she slept, Sarah’s mom decided to go shopping for an outfit for the baby. On her way to the car, she called the Pastor and his wife to let them know, the baby had arrived. They were so excited, but felt Sarah needed her rest and decided they would come by in the morning.

Sarah’s mom wasn’t gone long. She dropped by the nursery and gave the nurses the little suit she’d bought for the baby so they could put it on her when she went in for her feeding. It was a long pink gown with a drawstring at the bottom. The nurses put a pink band around her head with a bow, and she looked gorgeous! Her mom was so proud of her new grand daughter. She also had a multi colored blanket.

My baby . . . a mother! Sarah’s mom said as she stepped in the room. Lord, thank you for accepting her into the fold once again, and I pray that your hand is upon her for the rest of her life.

Soon after her mother had finished the prayer the nurse was bringing little Crystal into the room. She was beautiful. Those eyes were big and blue and she was looking around the room when she heard her mom moving in the bed. There was nothing wrong with her ears because she was very in tuned with her surroundings. Her eyes were good too because she could look you right in the face as though she were waiting for you to say something.

She’s very observant, the nurse said. Are you ready to visit your mom little one? she continued as she walked