My Father's Gift (10 page)

Before he finished speaking, the crowd was standing to its feet applauding and praising God for their happiness.  Mrs. Nowand just stood there beaming, tears of joy streaming down her face.  D’Cerner sat stunned, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  Finally, she too stood and magnified God with the rest of the crowd.  She finally understood why she was invited here.  It wasn’t because of anything she could do for this ministry, but what the ministry could do for her, through a simple testimony she knew was ordained of God.  After the Nowands, took their seats, Pamela spent a few moments giving a brief introduction of the speaker and then presented D’Cerner to conduct the seminar.

  As she walked to the podium, her steps felt lighter, and she knew that no matter how long it took, she would wait, totally out of obedience.

“Just this morning,” she began, “I was wondering why I had even been invited here since everything is going so well.  I just couldn’t figure out what word of encouragement I could give you.  But I understand now.  Through the testimony we just heard, I realized that I was sent here to be encouraged, not just to encourage.  With that in mind, I would like for everyone to gather in groups of no more than five persons for just about five minutes, that we might encourage one another.”

As people moved about to reposition themselves, she joined Pamela and her husband and the Nowands to form a group.  They prayed for one another and encouraged each as the Holy Spirit directed, with words of wisdom and knowledge.  Afterwards, D’Cerner moved back to the podium to begin the seminar, with a more encouraged heart and a brighter smile.

When almost two hours of non-stop discussion concluded, they closed the seminar with all in attendance standing, holding hands with someone near them, praying for the continued efforts of every ministry represented in the gathering.  After the prayer, Pamela and her husband officially dismissed the crowd.  While many found their way to the front of the room, Carlos made his way back to the book tables.  As he served various people, he thought about how amazing his mother was.  He knew that earlier, she was upset, but she managed to get through the entire time without a hint of sadness overshadowing her message.  It was no wonder that many people were clamoring for her books.  They always sold every book they brought and left with orders to be fulfilled by mail.  Carlos was glad.  He was normally responsible for packing the boxes and he was always relieved when they were all gone and nothing had to be packed for the return trip, except for order forms, which were a lot lighter to carry.  Within half an hour, their inventory was depleted and order forms with payments attached were put away.  He helped to fold the tables and set them against the wall for the hotel staff to pick up later.  Just as he was about to look for his mother, she appeared at his elbow.

“Ready to go?” she asked.

“Yes, we need to hurry to get to the airport.”

“No we don’t.  The Donnelly’s have already arranged for our luggage to be put into their car and they’re taking us to the airport.”

Just as she finished explaining this to Carlos, James Donnelly walked up to them.

“How did it go today, Carlos?” he asked.

“Everything was smooth,” Carlos responded stroking his chin as he looked down at James.

“Smooth?” James asked, confused.

“Yes, no books to carry back and we’ve got a nice bank deposit to make for our efforts.”  Carlos was trying hard not to laugh while he was talking.  He knew that not many people could relate to the language of the younger set and he did it just for the fun of it.

“Carlos,” D’Cerner reprimanded, “Don’t tease Reverend Donnelly.  He may not be as with it as I am.”

“With it?” Carlos asked laughing.  “Is that what they said back in the day?”

“Excuse me,” Pamela cut in.  What do you mean, back in the day?  Is this not still part of the same day that it was when we woke up?”

“Well, yeah…” Carlos began, but Pamela interrupted again.

“So then we said things back in the day as well as today.  And don’t think that because you’re a teenager that you’re all that.  That’s the problem with most of you young folks, you all think that you a bag of chips and then some.”

“A bag of chips, huh?  See Mom, some of you older people can get with us,” Carlos laughed as he hugged Pamela.  “Now watch Mom.  She’s going to start talking about potato chips and ask what kind we’re talking about,” he whispered into Pamela’s ear.

“All right, I’m not deaf.  I know what that expression means.  And just for the record, I can be a bag of potato chips, too, with dip,” D’Cerner countered.

They all burst out laughing at that comment.  People walking past them just smiled thinking what a lovely group they made.  Carlos, James, and Pamela, waited outside for the car to be brought around while D’Cerner checked them out of the hotel.  When she got settled in the car, she reached for the bag she knew would be in the back seat for a pair of flat shoes.  She hated traveling in high heels and Carlos always made sure that comfortable shoes were nearby.  She was going to miss having him as a traveling companion, but that couldn’t be helped.  She had two more trips for this summer and she hoped that Angela would be able to make one of them with her.  She listened to the light banter between James and Pamela with Carlos interjecting some comedic response at seemingly planned intervals and smiled.  She really liked this couple and wished them well in their efforts.  They were extremely hospitable to her and Carlos during this trip and she would never forget it.  “Charming,” D’Cerner thought.  “That’s the word for them.  They are absolutely charming.”  Carlos had become very fond of them in no time and treated them as if they were part of the family, complete with witticisms that bordered being offensive.  The Donnelly’s took it all in stride.

“Dee,” James said, looking through the rear view mirror.  “You’ve got a great kid here.”

“I know.  I tell him that all the time.  But of course, I’m completely biased.  I think he actually believes it when someone other than me tells him that.”

“I believe you,” Carlos said snuggling up to her.  “After all, you’re my mommy.”

“Okay, cut it out.  You’re too heavy to lay on me,” D’Cerner said laughing as she tried to push him aside.  Carlos was solid muscle and didn’t budge.  He planted a big sloppy zerbet on her cheek and then moved to give her room.  James and Pamela were laughing so hard they were almost in tears watching the two of them.  Before they knew it, they arrived at the airport.  Carlos jumped out to get the bags out of the car and waited for his mother so they could check in, while Pamela and D’Cerner stood at the curb hugging each other.  James stood aside until Pamela released herself from D’Cerner’s embrace and then he hugged her, too.

“Don’t wait for an invitation to come back.  You’re always welcome here,” he told D’Cerner.

“I won’t.  Thanks again for everything.  See you next time.”

With claim checks in hand, Carlos stood next to his mother, giving James and Pamela each a hug before they left.  As they walked through the airport doors, they heard their flight being announced.  Fortunately, there wasn’t a line.  They were cleared through security immediately and were on their way through the airport to their departing gate.

“This was a good trip,” D’Cerner thought.  “I hope the rest will be as rewarding.”

When they arrived at the departure gate, they handed in their tickets.  After taking their seats and fastening their seat belts, the attendants began their routine instruction about safety and exits in case of an emergency.  As soon as the plane was air bound and the announcement made that passengers could leave their seats, Carlos got a pillow, reclined his seat, and was soon fast asleep.  D’Cerner fell asleep not long after Carlos did.  In fact, they both looked so peaceful that the attendant didn’t have the heart to wake them when they started serving and they missed their meal.

Chapter Fourteen

After the trip to Houston, D’Cerner had three weeks to prepare for meetings that were scheduled in New Orleans and in Miami.  Having decided that Carlos would stay home, she asked Angela if she would be available to accompany her.  Fortunately, Angela had ample vacation time and was more than happy to go with her. After making flight and hotel reservations for both of them, D’Cerner spent some time researching material and studying for the services she was conducting.  Before long, it seemed as though she had just unpacked from the last trip and it was time to go again.

D’Cerner and Angela soon discovered that August was not the ideal time to travel.  The temperature was ninety degrees every day in New Orleans and even worse in Miami when the temperature rose above one hundred degrees.  What made the situation even more unpleasant was the humidity. The high humidity with the scorching temperatures provoked testy tempers in many people.

In New Orleans, the Word went forth with such anointing that many people professed having a testimony.  Some testified that witchcraft had held them in bondage, but they were delivered.  Some people left their bags of bones and dust and other paraphernalia used in their rituals on the floor when they responded to altar calls.  Each night more people poured into the convention center.

In Miami, many native islanders from the Bahamas and Puerto Rico came to hear the Word and were converted.

D’Cerner was slightly irritable and even Angela’s normally cajoling nature couldn’t bring her out it.  While D’Cerner spent time preparing to minister, Angela spent time praying for her since she was concerned she would allow whatever was bothering her to interfere with her messages.  She knew that it had something to do with Cal, but she didn’t dare ask since D’Cerner refused to talk about him.  Fortunately for the crowds who turned out for the meetings, the Holy Spirit’s direction caused D’Cerner to function at higher levels of spirituality than she had ever reached.  During each service, the Word came forth with such an anointing and power that it moved many to make a change in their lives.  Over a hundred people responded to altar calls accepting Christ as their Savior, receiving healing in their bodies and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Every night they were late getting into bed because D’Cerner was always so elated at the outcome that it took her awhile to calm down.  Only once during the two-week trip did Angela attempt to bring up Cal, and then changed her mind. She happened to see the pained expression in D’Cerner’s eyes when she didn’t know anyone was watching.  So instead of harping on what was obviously a painful subject, Angela spent her time trying to challenge D’Cerner’s mind. 

They studied together and prayed together.  They even managed to find time to do some limited sight-seeing and shopping during the brief interludes between sessions and spent too much money.  They also ate too much together.

Both enjoyed good food and they made it a point to find out where the best restaurants were located.  They feasted on boudin, a spicy Creole sausage, and crackers, Creole stuffed bread, chicken with Creole rice dressing, Louisiana gumbo and other Cajun specialties in New Orleans.  In Miami they found the best-fried plantain they had ever tasted.  Since they both loved seafood, they were able to pacify their cravings in almost every restaurant they visited.  They were fortunate enough to only have to be concerned with lunches because many of their hosts invited them to have dinner with them each evening. Since D’Cerner did not usually eat just before ministering, she would normally forego dinner, but not wanting to offend anyone, she invariably ate smaller-than-usual portions.

After the last session in Miami, when they were en route to Michigan, Angela decided to risk asking D’Cerner about what was bothering her.

“Dee,” she began, “I know you and you know that I know that something is not right here and hasn’t been for awhile.  Now are you going to tell me about it or am I going to have to drag it out of you?”

“Angie, I know you mean well, but now is not the time.  I haven’t been sleeping well, my thoughts are clouded and I don’t know which way is which.  How’s that for an answer?”

“It’s not an answer.  At least not a good one.  Does any of this have anything to do with Cal?”

“Angie, I don’t want to talk about him right now,” D’Cerner responded tiredly.

“I know you don’t, but I do.  So, guess what we’re going to talk about?” Angela responded, determined to get the problem out in the open.

“You know what?  For two cents I’d ask for another seat,” D’Cerner responded, weary of the rhetoric.

Angela opened her purse and took out two pennies.  “Here’s your two cents, so start asking because I’m not going to shut up.”

D’Cerner looked at her friend and sighed.  “All right, but there’s not much to tell.  We don’t talk as often as we used to talk.  As a matter of fact, we seldom talk at all.  Either he’s busy or I’m busy.  If I didn’t know better I’d think it was a conspiracy.  I already told you about that couple’s testimony in Houston.  So all I can do is wait.  If it’s meant to be, it will and if it isn’t, it won’t.  Satisfied?”

“No, but that will do.  At least you mentioned his name without cringing.  Look Dee, Daddy has never lied to you or anyone else.  What He said has been confirmed by too many people for you to doubt Him.  Just give Cal a while.  He’ll figure it out.  By the way, has he mentioned talking to his pastor about the two of you?”

“No, but I think he has and doesn’t want to discuss it.  I get this feeling that somehow she has convinced him that we were not meant to be.  Maybe she wants him for herself.”

“Do you really feel that way?”

“I guess not,” D’Cerner shrugged her shoulders.  “I don’t know.  Sometimes I don’t know what I’m supposed to think or do or say or anything.  Maybe when I get some rest, this will all make sense.”

“Maybe, but in the meantime, pray about his pastor.”

“I do.  I’ve sensed she has a hold on him he’s not willing to acknowledge and she’s not willing to relinquish.  As long as he wants to be bound, he will be.”

“Then we’ll both pray he’ll want to be free and not in bondage.”