Cindy

“Sunlight poured through the jailhouse window. A breeze that carried a hint of lilac on it rustled the papers on Tony’s table. Rubbing his forehead, he tried to concentrate on his work, but his grandmother’s ring—Essie’s ring—kept distracting him. He’d found it in the corner of his cell and had set it on his desk. Picking it up for the hundredth time, he discovered he enjoyed touching it simply because she’d touched it, too. Melvin’s words kept ringing in his head, but he had a hard time accepting them. Because if what Melvin said was true, then Tony had nothing and God had everything. And there were some things Tony wanted. He wanted to be proven innocent and freed from jail. He wanted his inheritance. He wanted his father to be proud of him. He wanted his wife to be pure. No, he wanted Essie to be pure. But he would never have his father’s approval and he would never be Essie’s first. He might never win his freedom and, thus, never be able to enjoy his inheritance. So he was back where he started. With him having nothing and God having everything. Don’t you have enough already, Lord? Do you have to have what belongs to me, too? But deep down he knew no matter what he did or didn’t do, he had no control over any of it. But God did. And the only viable solution was to give it up to Him. And why not? How much worse could it get? He swallowed, immediately realizing it could get a whole lot worse. He could lose Essie for good. Lose his life for good. But even if he didn’t get her back, or if he hanged for the murder of his brother, he would at least have the comfort of knowing he’d left the decision-making up to God and not to himself. Blowing out a breath, he silently relinquished his control and laid it at Christ’s feet. And in doing so, realized he might not ever have made his earthly father proud, but perhaps he had his heavenly Father.”
― Deeanne Gist, Deep in the Heart of Trouble

“our lives here on Earth aren’t supposed to be easy. God doesn’t promise us riches or pleasure here, but a reward in Heaven.”
― Rachel Bauer, Amish Sommer Family Farm Complete Series

“I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes – that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its orbit, as well as the sun in the heavens – that the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as the stars in their courses. The creeping of an aphid over the rosebud is as much fixed as the march of the devastating pestilence – the fall of . . . leaves from a poplar is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche.”
― Charles Spurgeon

“Pulling the covering from her basket decorated with pink-and-white polka-dotted ribbon, she withdrew her journal, a pencil, and some cheese. Jesus Christ She formed the letters of His name with careful script. Points of Merit: • Will never leave me • Nothing can separate me from His love • Took my sins upon himself • Forgave me • Turns my darkness into light • Cares about everything I do, even knows how many hairs are on my head. Drawbacks: She took a bite of cheese, then tapped the top of her pencil against her lips. • Can’t see Him, touch Him, or hear Him with my physical body Yes, but blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. • Is always right about everything True. But if you depend on me and trust me, I will take care of you. • Expects absolute obedience I have warned man that it is better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered woman. It’s in Proverbs, in case you’ve forgotten. She took another bite of cheese and suppressed a smile. • Has a droll sense of humor A feeling of shared warmth and amusement washed over her. She giggled. Wrapping her arms around herself, she basked in the warmth of His love. It was more fulfilling than she had ever thought possible. She knew, of course, that she would still go through difficult times. But she also knew she would not be alone. Smiling, she closed the journal and bowed her head before partaking of her meal. She thanked the Lord for her daily bread, for blessing the bicycle club and, most of all, for being her One and Only.”
― Deeanne Gist, Courting Trouble