Revelations of Divine Love

By Elaine Davis

Revelations of Divine Love find the membership of New Jerusalem Baptist Church faced with life issues that are unpleasant but fruitful to their spiritual growth. It appeared that all their issues were resolved at the end of From Pieces to Peace. However, they discover that they are imperfect people searching for a pathway that is pleasing to the Father. Their Saving Grace is God loves us regardless of our imperfections.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514450161

Elaine Davis

What She has been Through a lot of Teens and Adults Can Relate. Your Past Can be Your Success Or can be your Failure. Every Decision you make in life will have a impact on your Future. Everyone is not always feed with a Gold Handel spoon, She Had to Get it out the mud, the best way she knew how without breaking and having to be Strong for her younger siblings. hiding all the pain inside. her strength showed Courage. life can throw some mean strikes at you, with her being able to get back up from where she came from and still hold her head high is a testimony. life is only what you make it and she made the best of it. she didn’t continue to suffer from her past. she turn the negative into positive and wants to share her journey to show others that anything is possible, she wants to let her readers know to not let their past define their future. I always hear you are a Product of your community, no one directly said it to me but I am African American and the Majority of us was raised in a place known as the Hood and people in the Hood will get it the best way they know how by any means necessary, most not caring about the consequences for their actions. but there is Good that comes out the Hood and I am A Product of my community.

Book preview

On The Other Side of the Rainbow

Run Away Child

Cynthia, Bryant and Jennifer rushed through the city streets toward Towanda’s house. Cynthia looked in the back seat of the car. Jennifer was fasten in her seat belt, and Terrence was in his car seat fast asleep. Both of her children were safe. She could not imagine what Towanda must be feeling. Her voice sounded frantic; which would be expected if your one and only child was missing.

Thank God, Jennifer was such a good child. She was loving, obedient, smart, never a moment’s trouble. She and Bryant often referred to her as their Little Lady. Even as a young child she was always independent and caring. She had always hoped that she would be a positive influence on Mariah, but no such luck. Apparently, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Towanda was very head strong as a child too. Whatever she wanted to do, that was exactly what she did.

Cynthia had known Mariah since birth. She remembered it like it was yesterday.

After gently sitting in the wheelchair, the nurse placed Jennifer in her arm. They were being dismissed from the hospital and Bryant had gone to get the car. She remembered being hurled down the hall by the nursing assistant when she heard someone yell "Cynthia!" It was Towanda, she had not seen her in a few years, but she knew who she was right away. Mariah and Jennifer were born on practically on the same day, and that was not all they shared.

37494.png

Towanda opened the front door as they parked the car. She was surprised that there was not a police car on sight. Bryant came around and opened the doors for Jennifer and Cynthia. He went back to the other side to get his son from his car seat. Michael and Divine pulled up behind them. As they approached the front door, Towanda came out to greet them. She held on especially tight to Cynthia. Cynthia embraced her back; wondering why she had called her instead of a close friend, or the police.

Bryant took over the situation. He led Towanda by the arm to the living room sofa.

Calm down Towanda and tell me what’s going on?

Well, I got home last night ...this morning around 2:15. I looked inside her room and she was asleep. So, I went to bed. I heard her moving around early this morning I thought she was going to early service so I fell back off to sleep. When I woke up, I went into her room and found this note:

Mommie

I love you. Please don’t worry. I will be back in a few days. I don’t have my regular phone, but I do have a phone and I will call soon to let you know I’m all right.

Love, Mariah

We need to call the police. Cynthia voiced her concern.

"No" yelled Towanda. I don’t want her name in the system. Cynthia you know that once her name is in the system, it will never come out, and that has all kind of drawbacks. They may try to take her from me. I was hoping we could find her.

Jennifer, has she said anything to you? Do you know where she might be?

No, but ...I haven’t talked to her since Friday night and I could kinda tell she was sad.

Sad about what? Asked Cynthia.

I’m not sure, but she has some idea that her life would be so much better if she knew where her father was.

Yes, she has been asking about him lately, but I thought she was over that. She stopped talking about it. So, I thought she was good. Said Towanda.

Ms. Freeman, could I go into Mariah’s room? Maybe I’ll see something that might give us some idea where she might have gone.

Sure.

Well, I don’t think she would try to get on a plane ...too complicated, and I don’t think she would take the train. I think we should start at the Bus station. Said Bryant. Michael, let’s go, she already has a head start on us."

Michael, Divine and Bryant left to search the city for one wayward teenager who has no clue of the dangers that the outside world held for a young tender innocent girl like her.

Jennifer opened the door to Mariah’s room. The room was a mixture of a little girl transitioning into a young woman. Her dolls and a big brown teddy bear were on the bed, which was covered by a pink and white polka dot bedspread; across from a vanity table filled with make up, nail polish, and perfumes. Jennifer had been in this room many times. But today it seemed lifeless without the spunky Mariah rattling off her philosophy on life. Suddenly, Jennifer’s phone buzzed. It was a text from Mariah .…. I’m okay. I will get back to you don’t tell mom.

Jennifer texted back. Everyone is worried, come home now!"

Please don’t tell. Mariah texted back.

I can’t promise you that I won’t tell, be careful. I will try to hold out for as long as I can. But keep in touch. We are worried about you. We love you. Please Come Home."

37503.png

Bryant, Michael and Divine drove slowly down the street toward the Greyhound Bus Station. The street seemed to change into an oracle of despair the closer they came to the front doors of the station. There were people in front of the building; neither coming or going, just hanging out on a Sunday afternoon. Divine could not imagine Mariah being in a place like this. She was so delicate and fragile.

Michael looked at Divine through the rear view mirror.

Son, lock the doors, and stay in the car, while we go inside to look for her.

You know, maybe I should go in and check for her. This shouldn’t take very long. I am sure she will be easy to spot. Bryant took a deep breath.

Besides I would hate to come back and find the car and Divine gone. He smiled with the uncertainty of his own safety once he left the car.

Okay Rev, but I am here if you need me. Said Michael.

Bryant stepped out of the car, onto a street much different from New Jerusalem Baptist Church Community. His Spirit reminded him to watch his facial expressions. He did not want to appear snobbish in his neat Sunday dressings of silk tie, Italian calfskin oxford shoes, and Swarovski Crystal Cat Eye cufflinks. He was shame of his uneasiness amongst his own.

These people appeared to have missed the simplest opportunities that life afforded most others. Their luggage consisted of grocery bags and cheap nylon folding suitcases. Their mildly worn apparel served as a reminder that he was truly blessed with life’s material goods.

For whatever reasons some of these, people had been dealt a harsh hand. While uncomfortable, Bryant knew that these were the ones Jesus called his sheep. The homeless, the hopeless, and misguided, these were the people Jesus came to save so that they may have life and have it more abundantly. Bryant wondered where the connection had been broken between man and God? He could only do a quick self-examination…. Was he really doing God’s work stepping onto the pulpit every Sunday, concerned only with his memberships. Is that all God expected of him?

As the doors slid open to the inside; his eyed roamed the terminal for the pretty, petite Mariah. This was the city’s main forest for wolves to hunt for sweet tender prey like her. Bryant prayed that she had not been devoured by some slick-talking wolf in cheap flashy clothing offering promises with no intention of keeping them. He prayed that he was not too late to save her from these predators.

He moved toward the ticket desk, the terminal was very busy for a Sunday afternoon. But he supposed after spending a few precious moments with families and friends; they needed to get back to the reality of life wherever or whatever that might be. There were women with small children having Sunday dinner from styfoam plates and paper bags. Some people were sitting on the floor against the wall talking on the phone while they rejuiced at the bus station expense. Others simply took a nap in whatever position they could manage while waiting for their departure, or arrival of a love one; clinging to their personal possession.

Suddenly, his eyes caught a glimpse of Mariah sitting in the corner texting on her phone. One could easily tell she was out of place amongst the members of this society. He moved over to her slowly, because he did not know her state of mind. He did not want her to run away or to become hysterical. He just wanted her to know that she was safe, but mostly, that she is loved.

"Mariah, You had us worried to death." She instantly jumped to her feet. He gave her a fatherly, hug. He wrapped his strong arms around her like a blanket made of love and understanding; something she so desperately needed in this moment. They sat down next to each other. Mariah, what were you thinking?

Rev. Jackson, How did you find me?

Do you think you are the first teenager to run away? Your mother is a nervous wreck. Why are you here? We were all so afraid for you. Thank God you are okay.

I never meant to scare, anyone. I left a note. But I had to do this; I think I found him, my father. We’ve been talking online, and I just wanted to see him in person.

"Mariah do you have any idea how dangerous this is? Did you talk to your mother about this?

"No, .… she doesn’t like to talk about my father, so I figured things out for myself. I just wanted to see him ...to see what he thinks of me!"

I don’t know who this man is that you have been talking to, but I do know that I think you are a beautiful young girl inside and out,… and you need to know that we are here for you. If you never see your biological father, know that God… the Father is always watching over you and as of today, so am I. Let’s go home. He stood up and extended his hand to her, and she reached out and took it." He placed his hands on her shoulder and proudly escorted his newly adopted daughter out of danger, and safely back home to a mother that loves her dearly.

Divine and Michael both got out the car to greet her. Bryant reached in his pocket and called Cynthia. "We found her, she’s fine, and we’re on our way home."

Cynthia turned to Towanda and Jennifer, and yelled. They found her and they are on their way home. A reserved room suddenly erupted with jubilee as the women hugged and embraced each other with relief.

"Where was she? Asked Towanda.

The bus station.

Jennifer was elated that Mariah was okay. Maybe, it was time to grant full forgiveness to her. Sure, she had made a mistake but it was time to move pass that one difficult day. She had always known that Mariah needed their friendship more than she did. Apparently, more than she had realized, and she had to admit that she missed their friendship too.

Cynthia and Towanda hugged each other tightly, as mothers, as sisters. Cynthia thought if ever there was a time to put all the cards on the table and deal with the secrets of the past, today was that day. Because she was not about to watch her one and only niece be lost to a world of drugs, prostitution, or God knows what else. When she had so clearly cried out for help. Stealing, running away, what would be next? Towanda was going to have put Mariah’s needs before her own selfish pleasures, and that was THAT!"

Towanda, you shouldn’t be too hard on Mariah when she gets here. Just let her know how much you love her. You can discuss consequences with her on tomorrow. I have two counselors that I recommend you contact for the two of you. Maybe Jennifer and I can come over tomorrow and the four of us could make brunch together or something. I think the girls would like it.

Towanda, quickly let go of Cynthia. "Wait, hold up, I appreciate your coming over, but I need time to digest all of this with my daughter. She and I need to talk to figure out what this is all about. I will call you later tonight and we will talk about brunch then."

She turned and walked into the kitchen picked up the phone and called one of her buddies. Hey, this is Tee. Girl, I’m not going to be able to meet you this evening, something came up. We’ll talk. Bye.

Cynthia was appalled at Towanda’s sudden burst of self-reliance; when only moments before the phone call she was an emotional wreck. This was why the truth had never been unraveled; why their relationship had never been able to move pass societal norms of outside children keeping their place.

Towanda enjoyed making sure Cynthia understood that she was the bastard child. She would never allow her to think she was superior to her. No matter what the situation may be. After all, "Everyone knows outside children don’t count." The room went back into hibernation until the men and Mariah arrived.

37506.png

The car was silent. Michael and Bryant sat in the front seat, while Mariah and Divine were in the back. Perhaps Mariah was too emotional to say anything or maybe she was embarrassed about the "pickled headed idea" of going to see a man she really knew nothing about.

Mariah was no dummy; she knew about online predators, girls trafficked into the sex trade. But for just a brief moment, her desperation over shadowed her common sense; and gave way to the aching of her heart for a father, to hold her, and tell her how much he loved her. Staring out the window, she thanked God she had people that really cared for her because this could have turned out so differently.

A gentle touch on her hand reminded her of her wonderful life. With the music playing softly, Divine whispered, "I’m glad you are okay, I would have been devastated if something had happened to you."

Mariah was tired she had not slept much the night before, so she placed her head on Divine’s shoulder, closed her eyes and went to sleep.

37508.png

They heard the car door close from outside; Cynthia ordered Jennifer to gather up her little brother so they could leave. She was fuming with angrier, and could not wait to get out of this witch’s house. She must have been out of mind thinking that this situation was the opening to what could be a beautiful relationship between sisters. Of course, some believe that a shared father does not make you siblings anyway. You know the old saying "Mommy’s baby, Daddy’s maybe" and Towanda, while never out right saying it… her demeanor gave off aura of superiority because their father had married her mother and not hers.

Towanda ran to the door and grabbed Mariah. She held her tightly, close to her chest. She closed her eyes and continuously said Thank you Jesus.

Cynthia pulled Mariah from her arms for a moment. She and Jennifer gave Mariah a hugs. Mariah, I’m glad you are okay. Please don’t do anything like this again. Come on Jennifer, we need to get home. Cynthia put Terrence in his seat and directed Jennifer to get in. When both cars pulled away Towanda and Mariah were still embraced.

Divine got into the front seat with his father. Let’s go get something to eat. Divine nodded his head in agreement. Son,… be careful of troubled girls like Mariah, they require a whole lot…. sometimes more than you can give. I’m not telling you what to do. I just want you to make sure you think it through.

Divine nodded his head once again. He had never given much thought to Mariah until today. Sure, she was pretty to look at, but the way other guys made such a big deal about her had been a turn off to him, until today. He liked the way she seems to need him, to need protection from the world, ...from herself. These feelings were so fresh that he had no response to his father’s advice, but he did hear him.

37510.png

Bryant was surprised that Cynthia was not curious about where and how they had found Mariah. But then he thought maybe she felt it would be inappropriate