The War for April

By Velma Jackson

April left home to pursue a successful business career. Her second ambition was to find the type of loving relationship her parents had. The problem is, the men she has dated in the past did not share the same desire. Her recent breakup leaves her alone again. When her parents ask her to return home to Alexandria, Virginia, to help them in ministry, April's guilt of staying away so long leads her to say yes.

As an only child, her parents had sacrificed a lot in order for her to have her career. Now they needed her. They had always had a special fondness for her childhood sweetheart, Eli. Seeing him brought back all the good times. But Calvin, who recently moved back home himself, is in pursuit of April. Calvin is the unknown. His grandmother was a faithful member of her parents' church, but they know nothing about him. Will April heed her parents' advice, or will her ambition and impatience cost her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886851144

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The War for April

Velma Jackson

ISBN 979-8-88685-113-7 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88685-114-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Velma Jackson

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

Coming Back Home

The Prophecy

I Do

Hidden Secrets

Where's My Miracle?

Brian's Return

The Investigation

Merry Christmas

April's Heartbeat

The Runaway

The Confession

A Miracle of My Own

About the Author

Chapter 1

Coming Back Home

Lights glaring, the blaring sound of the siren as the ambulance rushed to the hospital.

Hold on, Shelby. Hold on. God, if you save them, I will serve you for the rest of my life, he whispered as he stood in the middle of the emergency room floor.

Twenty-six years later, Pastor Josiah K. Thompson looked out at the congregation at his beautiful wife, Shelby, sitting in the front row. April, his baby girl, was sitting a few rows back. God answered his prayer and gave him his family.

If God has done anything for you, you ought to say amen! He woke you up this morning. Can you say amen?

Amen, Pastor!

God is able! How many of you know God is able? The choir sang that song this morning. I don't want you to think He's able. You need to know without a shadow of a doubt. I found out for myself twenty-six years ago when He spared the life of my wife and baby girl in childbirth. I made Him a promise. God, if you save them, I will serve You for the rest of my life. I owe Him everything. They are sitting here in service today. Praise the Lord, somebody!

April ran to her mom when service ended, throwing her arms around her.

Honey, it's so good to see you. How was your trip? I'm so glad you were able to get time off. Your father was worrying himself sick that you wouldn't make it in before the snow started. I thought he was going to jump in his car and drive up to get you himself.

Baby girl! Give me a hug, he said, grabbing her and lifting her off her feet. It was hard for him to believe she had grown up so fast.

When are you moving back home? You know, your mom and I are waiting for you to come home and help us run this church.

I'm here for two weeks, Dad, like I promised. You wouldn't want me to waste the money you and Mom spent sending me away to college.

It wouldn't be a waste. God would just be using you in a different way.

Let's go home, ladies.

Dad, you know, you preached the Word this morning.

Baby girl, how would you know? You were so busy staring at the guy in the pew across from you.

I wasn't staring at him. He was eyeing me.

Neither one of you got anything out of the message this morning.

Do you know his name? How long has he been coming here?

His name is Calvin. He's Mother Elliot's grandson. You remember her. The one who always had a piece of candy in her purse for you. She thought you were just the smartest kid. She knew you would do well.

She used to tell me, ‘God has great plans for you, April.'

Calvin went away to the air force right after high school. Mother Elliot was so proud of him. I don't think he was into the church back then. He stayed for a few years and came home this year. He's been attending service for about six months now. He hasn't made up his mind to join us yet.

Dad, how do you manage to keep up with all the visitors walking through those doors?

I can't. Sister Carolyn is a friend of the family. She introduced him to us on his first visit.

April, I thought you were already in a relationship with what's his name.

His name was Byron, Mom, and it ended two months ago. I want someone who's ready to settle down. We were not on the same page.

Baby girl, you're rushing the man. If he's not ready, he's not ready. You waste a lot of time and energy trying to change them, when they may not be the one for you. Your spiritual foundation should be your first priority. You don't know what to look for in a man until you become more mature in Christ. What are His plans for your life? You need to know who you are. Are you on the same page with God when it comes to your relationship with Him?

Dad, you and Mom didn't have a strong relationship with God when the two of you met.

You're right, April. Your father's and my relationship was nothing back then like it is now, and I knew I was going to marry your father the first time I met him. It wasn't a feeling of butterflies in my stomach, money, or his looks. I had this deep feeling I would be married to your father for the rest of my life. We still didn't rush into our relationship

I want that too, Mom. You and Dad always taught me I should have faith and believe in God for what I want. How do I know if a man is the right one or not if I don't trust God and give the relationship a chance?

Baby girl, you have to let God change the man. You can't force someone to change. God has a plan for everyone's life. You have to wait on God's guidance. Stop trying to make God fit into your timeline. If you really have faith in God, you will trust Him to do it.

What are you and Dad doing this afternoon?

Your dad's visiting with the sick members at the hospital and the nursing homes.

I won't be getting back until late. I'm going to visit with Brother Elliot and Elder Stanley today. They are going to talk my ear off. I can fall asleep and wake up, and they won't even notice.

They are always so happy to see you, Josiah.

I'm just as happy to see them. We have had some times with those two.

Well, it's my turn to volunteer at the community center.

Are they still feeding people there?

As often as they can. They are not short on donations. Anyone in need can come to the center for a meal. The center has been such a blessing to so many people. It's a real positive impact on this community. So many people have furthered their education through their expanded services. They are offering adult literacy, computer courses, and job assistance training. If there's a need, they are trying to fill it. They are living up to what they promised the community they would do when they first opened. Do you feel up to coming with me?

Sure, Mom. It will be just like old times.

Mom, look who's walking toward us. It's Calvin! You didn't tell me he was a volunteer.

Hello, First Lady Thompson, said Calvin.

Calvin, I didn't know you volunteered at the center.

It's my first day. One of the brothers at the church mentioned they could always use more volunteers. I promised I would come and help out as soon as I got settled in. Let me guess, you must be the missing daughter, April. Pastor Thompson informed the congregation you would be in service today. It's good to meet you.

It's nice meeting you, Calvin. Wow. I love his eyes. The choir was singing one of my favorite songs, and I couldn't even focus on the lyrics. He goes to church, and he's a volunteer at the center. Byron didn't even go to church.

April, look who else is here. Eli just walked in. You haven't seen him in years. You used to have such a crush on him.

We were in the ninth grade, Mom.

Eli, how are you?

I'm doing fine, First Lady. How are you and Pastor Thompson doing?

We are doing well. We won't complain.

I see you got here safely, April.

Eli Kendricks. I haven't seen you in years.

You didn't have to announce my full name. I wasn't the one who forgot where home was. You went away to college, started your career, and forgot all about us.

Eli, you are exaggerating. I've been home several times since then.

Excuse me, where are my manners. Eli, do you know Calvin? He's been a regular visitor at the church for months now.

What's up, man? I've seen you around. Good of you to come to help out.

I promised I would be here as soon as I got settled in. I'm looking forward to getting more involved in the community.

Well, it's four o'clock. Time to open the doors. Hungry people are waiting on us. Calvin, I need you to keep the dining area clean. Eli, April, come with me to the serving line. It's going to be a big crowd today.

Whew! Mom, what a crowd. I don't remember this many people needing to be fed.

Times are hard, April. We're serving twice as many people since the last time you were here.

I really miss the feeling of helping others. I forgot how much I loved coming here.

Eli, we're looking forward to seeing you on Christmas Day.

I'll be there at three o'clock. Mom and Dad have already left for her sister's to make sure she's okay. I'll be bringing my healthy appetite as usual.

It will be like old times. You and April can play catch-up.

*****

Mom, why didn't you invite Calvin? I wanted him to come over.

Honey, it's tradition. Eli spends Christmas Day with us. You haven't seen each other in a while. Plus, the two of you used to go out. I didn't want the day to be awkward.

Mom, that was in junior high.

Still, it's awkward getting to know a guy when your ex-boyfriend is sitting next to you, sharing old memories. At least wait until he asks you out before you invite him into your home. I'm glad to have you home to myself anyway. I'm looking forward to the outings we used to have.

Mom, we used to have a lot of people over. Now it's just Eli. What happened?

Your father and I had to scale back as the ministry grew more demanding. We just couldn't keep up with the pace. Your father was serious about you coming back home, April. We could really use your help. We're not asking you to give up your career. There are plenty of marketing firms around you could interview for. With your portfolio, you could easily get another position. Anyway, you can't dedicate your life to your career and not give any of your time to serving the Lord. God is the one who blessed you with your career. How do you think your father and I paid for your education? It was through our service to the Lord. I'm not trying to tell you how to run your life. I'm asking you to take a look at your priorities and where your life is headed, honey.

I know you're right, Mom. I do need to take a look at the path I'm on. These two weeks off, I'm going to take a good look at the decisions I'm making. I didn't know you and Dad needed my help. I hate the thought of not being here for you after everything you've done for me and this community. I want the two of you to rest while I'm here. Don't worry about taking care of me. I'm capable of taking care of myself.

*****

Hey, Calvin, what brings you by? asked Eli. What can I get for you?

I noticed the name above the store and decided to stop by. Elijah's Hardware Store. Do you own the store, Eli?

No, my dad's the owner. Mom named me Eli. She wanted me to have dad's name without having to call me junior.

I need a Phillips screwdriver to put up some shelves.

They are over on the far-right wall.

Did you find what you needed?

Yes, I did. By the way, what's up with you and April? First Lady Thompson said the two of you used to be an item.

Back in junior high, we were. April was my first girlfriend, and she was a lot of fun to be with. But she was Pastor Josiah K. Thompson's baby girl, and the K stood for ‘Keep your hands off my daughter.'

You didn't think she was worth it?

I had other interests at the time. We remained friends though. We were always friends even before we started dating.

"That's good to know. I need to find out who the competition is. I think I'll ask