Growing in the Light

By Linda Ross

Growing in the Light is a book that is composed of stories of faith, endurance, and obedience, learning to never give up, no matter the longevity of the circumstance. Each short story will captivate you into reflecting how the Lord will come through difficult events, leaving you with a surety that his love is never failing. Each story is based on different life experiences--giving us perspectives on faith, endurance, and restoration.

Life does not always bow to our desires. If you are a prodigal son or daughter, remember that your father in heaven is waiting with open arms for your return. Even when we find ourselves in the direst circumstances and all hope and assurance have faded, God is there to comfort, heal and, deliver our hearts into life again. Each time we heed to the call of obedience, we come closer to the abundance of our faith walk in him.

Remember, never give up!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685706357

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Growing in the Light

Linda Ross

ISBN 978-1-68570-634-0 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68570-635-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Linda Ross

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Prodigal Daughter

A Mended Heart

Start of the Impossible

Games

The Preacher

About the Author

I praise God, my Father, for giving me the desires and ability to do his will in this earth to work toward finishing the assignments of his heart. God is so good and faithful. I have learned over the years he is everything I need. It is in him I need, not look to other people. He has not failed me yet.

I started writing this book when my first grandchild was born. I had a desire to write a book of short stories for them to read. Little did I know the Lord had another plan, a book that would be published years later.

This book is dedicated to Tiffany, Julius, Tommy, Adam, and Elle. I love you!

May the love of God abound in your lives, and your desires be toward Him.

The Prodigal Daughter

Elizabeth was certainly born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her father, a very wealthy and handsome man, excelled in just about everything he touched. Most people said he had the Midas touch. Miss Ella, his mother, knew he was well educated, and his deep belief in God is what blessed him in all things that he endeavored. His multimillion-dollar business in oil pushed him right into becoming Man of the Year in Times magazine. This was such a proud moment for Miss Ella, to witness her only son recognized for all the hard work he had accomplished in the short period of life he lived. Yes, I did say short period. Alex died a year after receiving this great reward. He had one hobby his mother hated: motorcycles. She remembered that one sunshiny morning watching from her bedroom window as Alex left driving down the circle driveway to never return home. People that witnessed the accident said he never saw the truck coming; Alex was killed instantly. He left behind an grieving mother, wife, and two daughters: Sharon, the oldest daughter, and Elizabeth, his youngest daughter. Most people knew Elizabeth was his favorite. She also seem to grieve more than anyone else.

When she was a small child, she'd look at her father thinking he was so handsome she often told him, Someday, Daddy, I'm going to marry you. Alex would laugh so hard it brought tears to his eyes, reassuring her that he couldn't possibly be her father and her husband.

Alex and his wife Ava were childhood sweethearts. When you saw one, the other was not far behind. They met in middle school, and most people knew they were bound to hook up. After all, he was the most handsome guy in the school, and Ava was the most beautiful girl, with her long and silky hair alone and with her dazzling smile and pleasing personality, everyone in school loved Alex and Ava because they were not only popular, teachers loved them as well. They were nice, always thinking about others and blending in wherever they went.

Just as Ava was widowed at the young age of forty-five, her mother-in-law, Miss Ella, was also widowed a year before her forty-fifth birthday. Miss Ella not only lost her husband, now she had lost her only child, the two men she had loved the most.

It seems after Alex died, Elizabeth and her grandmother became very close. Elizabeth reminded Miss Ella of Alex a lot. She was the spitting image of her father. Most of the family said she and Miss Ella were twins whenever they were together. Most people mistook Elizabeth for her daughter. Sharon, on the other hand, resembled her mother. Both girls had grown into fine young ladies, well educated and known in the elite circles and in high demand with prominent young suitors.

Sharon had already met and fallen in love with Edward Carson, a very well-to-do young man that had stakes in his father's law firm, and of course Alex had given his blessings long before the accident happened. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was not interested in getting tied down. She wanted to venture out a little more and do some of the things that she desired; besides, she enjoyed her freedom and learned a long time ago she could have her cake and eat it too.

After her father died, her whole personality seemed to change. The things that interested her before were no longer important. Ava was just a little concerned about her daughter, so she and Miss Ella went to lunch to discuss how to get Elizabeth back on the right track. After all, she didn't show any interest in her friends, never returning their calls, hardly getting dressed some mornings, and when she showed signs of not having a desire to shop, everyone knew something was seriously wrong.

Ava asked her mother-in-law, Should we make an appointment with a therapist or take her on a nice vacation to get away from it all? It's been a year in a half since Alex had departed this earth; everyone was still grieving, but Elizabeth seemed to be on a different level of grief. They both decided to send her on a luxury vacation—that would be the right thing to do—along with one of her friends to keep her company. The only person they could think of was John. He was the only person she still received calls from. John and Elizabeth became friends in kindergarten right off the bat. After they both graduated from college, most people hoped their friendship would turn into more. After all, John was a good catch and in very high demand with all the ladies. Some even said he loved Elizabeth in a different way than she loved him. If he did, he never showed any sign other than his friendship.

Miss Ella told Ava, It's settled. Now let's think of where we will send her and John. Of course, the timing had to be just right. These days John was a very busy man. With the start-up of his new company, it didn't leave him much room for anything else.

I shall give him a call in the morning. Miss Ella just smiled knowing John would never turn down anything when it came to Elizabeth.

As Elizabeth sat by the window in her bedroom, she notice the squirrels chasing each other going around and round in circles. It reminded her of her own life; it seemed to be going in circles. She thought to herself, I always seem to land in the same place no matter where I start or finish. She found herself saying aloud, I need a change.

Her mother, standing in the doorway of her room, overheard and said to her, Yes, my darling, you do need a change, and I have just the change you need. Grandmother Ella and I have decided to send you and a friend on a luxury vacation anywhere in the country you desire.

Wow, Mother, that was fast. Thank you, but I need more than a fix-me-up vacation. I need a life change. I feel like I need to go in a different direction. Well, to be honest, I want to move out and live on my own.

Move out, Lizzy, you can't be serious? Ava couldn't even visualize the thought of any of her babies moving out unless they were moving into new homes with a husband. She stared at Elizabeth with a very stern look and said,