Hear My Voice

By Reverend Shirley Gamble

My written words are my voice! Until I learned to cry out to God, it was me and the pen speaking on paper. I found countless journals filled with my thoughts and ideas; some written in shorthand and I could not decipher. I wrote down everything that I held inside until I was able to verbalize it. I encourage you to let God hear your voice. Psalm 145:18-19 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664235601

Reverend Shirley Gamble

Reverend Shirley J. Schmidt Gamble was born in Martinsville, Virginia, graduated from George Washington Carver high school in Fieldale, Va. At age 18, moved to Washington DC. Shirley is married to Reverend Michael Gamble, has two adult children; Johnathon, Gabriel (Martiece), and one grandchild, Zhuri; her little lively stone. Earned Associate Degree from Central Texas College, Bachelors and Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Shirley retired from the US Postal Service as Postmaster Fairdale, KY. Currently employed as a Casualty and Mortuary Specialist at Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY. Shirley is an Associate Minister at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Radcliff, Kentucky.

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Copyright © 2021 Reverend Shirley Gamble.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of

the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of

people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3561-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3560-1 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 6/2/2021

To My Dear Michael

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When I thought there was no one I could share my life with, God sent you to me. A strong man with the smile of a little boy; so innocent and yet so powerful. You came with a light shining so bright that it would take us on a journey full of excitement and firsts. You Make life believable! My heart took wings and all my fears were lost in the joy of being your wife. You trust me with your life and I do the same for you. Thank you for allowing God to mold you and make you into a unique Man of God. If you catch me staring at you it is because your are awesome!

Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1    Three of Eight

Chapter 2    Walking in Your Purpose

Chapter 3    Be Yourself

Chapter 4    Chosen for Change

Chapter 5    The Fruit of the Spirit

Chapter 6    Smile anyhow

Chapter 7    Trusting God

Chapter 8    God made me special

Chapter 9    Where to find God

Chapter 10    Expectation Wanting More!

Chapter 11    Seasons

Chapter 12    The best is coming -

Introduction

I have always been a writer! In the fifth grade, my writing took me to the principal’s office with my parents on two occasions. I didn’t think the bus driver was aware of his unfair treatment of a young boy with a physical disability. I decided to make this injustice known to the principal in a letter. My father spoke in my defense, and asked what’s wrong with that, I was off the hook! The result of the second visit was not so positive because I addressed the unfairness of my teacher and the specifics were not good. My teacher had commented on my parents having a lot of children and not having any hobbies. At that age, I understood what she meant but it did not sit well with me. When the meeting ended and my parents and I were on the way home, my father said in his authoritative voice this will not happen again.

I believe the reason I found confidence in writing was because it didn’t require any talking. Things were going on in my head and I wanted them to be known but didn’t know how to verbalize. I felt a person would remember more if it was written down.

My life has not been one of total ease nor oppression. Some of my dilemmas were self-created, some the result of allowing the wrong people to influence me. When