LOVE THY NEIGHBOR?

By Christe Dailey-Arceneaux

Love Thy Neighbor? is not only the second greatest commandment given to us by Jesus in the Book of Matthew, but it is also a great rule to live by, especially when you don't realize exactly who strangers may turn out to be. God is constantly testing our faith through situations as well as the people who cross our paths.

There are no coincidences with God; He knows what He is doing. He also taught us through the Beatitudes that whatever we do (good or bad) to the least of our brothers, we do to Him. God comes to us in our lives in spirit, in situations, in prayer, and sometimes in angels.

This book focuses on an ordinary family that experiences love, tragedy, disappointment, humor, anguish, and faith through an extraordinary gift of an encounter with Him in disguise. Phillip and CeCe Richards were high school sweethearts that have been married for many years, but now a strange encounter threatens their relationship with each other and with God. Tragedy follows with despair, which puts them at a crossroads with some major choices to make. God is forgiveness, God is life, God is real, and God is love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889436539

Book preview

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LOVE THY NEIGHBOR?

Christe Dailey-Arceneaux

ISBN 979-8-88943-652-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88943-653-9 (digital)

Registration Number: TXu 2-361-847

Copyright © 2023 by Christe Dailey-Arceneaux

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 Encounters?

The Family?

The Separation?

He's Back?

Time to Investigate?

Just Ask?

What is Happening?

Is This the End?

The Revelation?

About the Author

Chapter 1

The Encounters?

CeCe said, in quiet prayer, Lord God, thank you for all the blessings that you have given to me. I ask you now for your mercy since I can't pray for patience. Amen.

As the day began like any other, CeCe didn't realize the events headed in her direction would cause her to reevaluate her way of seeing God's blessings around her. Driving to work, she was filled with peace and joy and was therefore expecting a beautiful day of work. She pulled into her office parking lot, and noticing God's beauty around her, she couldn't help but smile. She cut her driving wheel to pull into her designated spot but suddenly hit her brakes as she noticed a shopping cart was parked in her spot. She then looked beyond the cart to see its operator sitting on the grass, not far from it. She rolled down her window in frustration to address the man. Excuse me! I need you to move your cart. This is my parking spot.

As she awaited his reaction, she noticed his long wiry hair, bushy beard, and raggedy clothes that, much like the one wearing them, hasn't seen water or soap in quite some time. As her eyes moved around his appearance, she became more frustrated that instead of moving his cart at her request, he remained seated and smiled at her. Again, but more frustrated than before, she insisted, Sir, move your cart!

He replied, while rubbing his feet, Ma'am, my feet are done.

She sternly replied, It's not your feet in my space. It's your cart. Move it.

He asked, Can you give me a minute to rest before standing back up?

Very sharply, CeCe responded, I don't have a minute to give you. Move your cart.

While smiling, he painfully stood up and pushed his cart to the grass so that she could now park in her spot. CeCe parked her car, and the joy she had just minutes before had now turned to aggravation.

Back to his sitting position on the grass, he watched her park her car, all the while keeping his gaze on her as she walks past him. For a brief second, she angrily moved only her eyes to glance at him and now noticed his smile directed at her as she walks past the homeless man.

As CeCe walked into her office, she slammed her briefcase onto her desk and hollered out, Ruby, get me coffee, and nothing sweet in it!

Her assistant, Ruby, snickered under her breath to a coworker. Sounds like the one who's getting ready to drink it. They both laugh as Ruby left her desk and walked toward the office coffee station.

As CeCe unpacked her briefcase, her colleague and close friend, Alessia, walked in, insisting to know why she was late. Girl, where have you been? DeMarcus is looking for his quarterly stats, and he's not happy. Please tell me you have them.

CeCe responded as she raised the stats, I have them here!

Her boss, DeMarcus, entered her office, demanding sarcastically, CeCe, thanks for joining us this morning. Where's my stats!

CeCe handed them over to him. Sorry, I would have had them to you sooner, but some foot guy parked his house in my spot and I had to wait for him to move. People like that burn my last nerve. Not only are they jobless but they also interfere with working people trying to do their jobs. Raising her voice, CeCe said, Ruby, where is my coffee?

Ruby walked into CeCe's office with her coffee and dropped it accidentally. Alessia rushed to help clean it up. CeCe, frustrated, exclaimed, You have got to be kidding me! I'm surrounded by useless people! I will get it myself. She stormed out to get her own coffee. The rest of the day was uneventful, except for the usual work and payday.

* * * * *

As CeCe pulled into her driveway at home, she was exhausted but thankful that it was Friday, and her twin daughters would be coming home from college this weekend. As she walked into the kitchen of her house, her face lit up, as she found Phillip, her husband of thirty years, cooking supper. Surprised and excited, she asked the obvious, just to confirm what she hopes she was witnessing. Are you cooking supper?

Phillip replied, Yes, my love, something told me you needed my special chicken al-Phil-doe tonight.

CeCe laughed. Well, you are the Phillip of my eye. Phillip was a big man but had the softest heart, which was a quality that complemented CeCe's at-times stubbornness.

Phillip smiled while handing her a glass of wine. It's after seven. Long day?

CeCe's relaxed mood suddenly turned. "Crazy day! I don't know if people are losing it or if my patience level is dropping. It started with some foot guy in my