My Father's Gift (9 page)

*****

At Eternal Joy, Cal was kept equally busy by his pastor.  He regretted bailing out on D’Cerner on the two occasions he had committed himself, but each time, his pastor called him about a last minute emergency that only he could handle.  At least that’s what she told him.  He was beginning to wonder if his pastor had some hidden agenda, but didn’t want to voice it.  When he thought about it, he was actually glad of the distractions because he didn’t know what to do about D’Cerner and their rapidly deteriorating relationship, if that’s what it could be called.  He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something had happened to make them feel ill at ease with each other.  Prayer had not helped and each time he had attempted to talk with his pastor about it, she would always put him off by changing the subject.  He finally realized that his pastor didn’t want to hear about it so he dropped any attempts at further discussion.

*****

After meeting D’Cerner, Pastor Thomas felt justified in her pursuit to keep Cal away from her.  She felt that it was just a physical attraction and with time, they would both get over it.  She smiled remembering how she had baited D’Cerner at the tournament, but she had to admit the young lady was smart and would not give into pettiness.  “Well,” she thought, “if he continues to show an interest, I’ll just have to work harder at keeping them apart.”

*****

Pastor Gibson had noticed that D’Cerner did not seem to have a lot to say about Cal anymore and he didn’t bring him up in any conversations he had with her.  He did notice she was very quiet and reserved at the church and asked some of the other ladies to keep an eye on her.  “She may not open up to me,” he thought, “but she just might talk to another woman.”  He made sure she had more than enough to do at the church when she was there.  He had also started calling her when she was away.  So she wouldn’t think his calling strange, he would tell her that it was to pray with her and for her endeavors and to keep her encouraged.  He constantly reminded her that if she ever needed anyone to talk to he was available.

Between Pastor Thomas and Pastor Gibson keeping in constant communication with each other to cross reference events and schedules, they made sure that Cal and D’Cerner would never be at the same place together.  They managed to manipulate almost every move they made.  Finally, after three months of clandestine meetings and a deluge of phone calls, they decided that Cal and D’Cerner had given up on each other and they didn’t need to worry about either of them anymore.

*****

Cal and D’Cerner had spent so little time talking to each other that when they did have a chance to talk, sparks seemed to fly and constant conflict resided with them.  Neither of them remembered when the phone calls came to a halt, but both felt a degree of relief when they did.  At least, they both thought there was no longer any need to pretend or prolong their agony.

“Perhaps I didn’t hear what I heard,” Cal thought.  “Maybe my pastor was right.”

“I know I heard right,” D’Cerner thought, “but this one is on you Daddy.  There is no way that I can make this happen when he is not willing.”

So they both went on with their lives as though they had never met, but they both knew that life would never be the same.

Chapter Thirteen

After a very chilling spring season, D’Cerner began accepting more and more speaking engagements for the summer, which left her little time to spend moping about things over which she had no control.  During summer school breaks, she often took Carlos with her as a traveling companion.  This year, their trips together marked the end of high school for Carlos, as well as possibly the last time he would be available to accompany his mother.  He would start college in the fall and D’Cerner would have to respect how he chose to spend his leisure time; especially if he chose not to spend it with her.  Occasionally during session breaks, while traveling to one city or another, they took the time to do some sightseeing. 

During the trip to Houston, Carlos had watched the Astros play and gone to Astroworld with friends of the Donnellys, their host pastors.  D’Cerner enjoyed his company and it was a great learning experience for him.  Wherever they went, she was mindful of the looks people cast their way.  They were a very noticeable duo and she was extremely proud of the way he handled himself, especially when questions arose that were directed at him.  Not only could he quote almost half of the bible, he understood it and was a match for anyone who dared to question his faith.  During their travels, he helped conference coordinators with the book tables, the audio equipment, and made sure she ate balanced meals.

 One morning in Houston, while at breakfast in the hotel restaurant, she looked at him across the table and made a mental note about finding some way to let him know how much she appreciated him.  She smiled as she watched him wolfing down his food and thought about what a great protector he was.  “When the time is right,” she thought, “he will make someone a great husband.  Better a good husband than a mother’s keeper.”

She decided then and there, she was going to have to find someone else to travel with or travel alone.  After all, Carlos deserved to be with other young people and not having to tag-along with his mother.

“Carlos,” she said when they were almost finished eating.  “After this trip, I think I can handle things.  You can have the rest of the summer to yourself as long as you promise to behave yourself.”

“Mother,” he drawled with feigned exasperation, “I always know how to behave.  Besides, I’m having fun.  There’s not that much to do at home anyway.  Although football practice starts in a couple of weeks at the university, I still have time to make one more trip with you.  And you don’t need to travel alone.  I’ve seen how these men look at you.”

D’Cerner laughed.  “Carlos, you’re not five years old anymore.  I don’t need you to fight off men for me.  I think I can handle them.  Besides, I’m not really in the mood for much company these days.”

“I noticed,” he said seriously.  “By the way, what happened between you and Brother Recinoire?”

“Nothing.  I think our meeting was just a fluke.  It started out like a fireworks display and then fizzled out.  Why?  I didn’t think that you had noticed.”

“I noticed.  You’ve been awfully quiet lately.  You don’t even joke around like you used to.  And your phone stopped ringing late at night.  Another one bites the dust, huh?”

“I don’t know about biting the dust, but something must have been eating him alive.  For some reason, most of our conversations ended in arguments.”

“Maybe you two are just too much alike.”

“Maybe.  And maybe we just weren’t meant to be.”

“Okay,” Carlos said, knowing it was time to change the subject.  “Do we need to get packed?  It’s almost time to go.”

“Yes, we do and thanks for changing the subject.”

“You’re welcome,” he said as he got up and stood behind her bending over to give her a hug.  “I know when to be quiet.”

She stood up and together they walked back to their suite to pack their bags.  She had a morning seminar and they would leave for the airport as soon as it was over. 

Full Gospel International Ministries had invited her to conduct a three-day revival and seminar for women in ministry, which would be the highlight of her trip to Houston this time.  They had already engaged her as a keynote speaker for their Women’s Movement in Power that was being held next year.  She was extremely excited about this because the pastor of the church, Reverend James Donnelly, had once professed he didn’t believe that God even called women into the ministry.  His wife, Pamela, had a lot to do with changing his views once God called her into ministry.  Pamela Donnelly was a force to reckon with once she made up her mind and nothing could deter her from her course of action.  Not even her husband, who after a short time, seeing how God had His hand on everything that his wife did, finally repented and gave her the latitude she needed.  Their once modest congregation of two hundred was now a two thousand plus congregation and they were still growing. 

The women in the church were not just benchwarmers, but active participants in every area of ministry.  They fed the hungry, visited nursing homes, the jails, and those who were sick and couldn’t make it out for regular services.  They raised money to provide blankets and clothing for the homeless shelters and supervised the day care center housed in the annex of the church.  They were responsible for the midmorning prayer groups and the in-home bible studies that reported at least once a month to the pastor.  They knew who they were and they were proud of it.  They constantly reminded everyone who would listen that it was all because of God moving upon the heart of the pastor to let the women stand in their rightful places in the church.

D’Cerner remembered marveling at the fact that for the three nights of service during the altar call, that when men and women responded, they were warmly embraced by other men and women who stood by ready to receive them.  There was no sign of any in-house turmoil, or insecurities.  The lack of disharmony caused her to wonder why they had bothered to invite her since most ministries invited her to inspire harmony and unity when trouble seemed to be brewing.  This was one ministry that really seemed to have it all together.  “Well,” she thought, “maybe I’ll get a chance to see how effective their program really is today.”

When she and Carlos finished packing, they left their suite on the seventh floor and headed for the fifth floor ballroom, arm in arm.  They really were an admirable pair.  D’Cerner was wearing a white suit with a tunic jacket and red pumps and appeared to be absolutely dwarfed standing next to Carlos. He wore a white suit accentuated with a red shirt, white silk tie, and red shoes.  He carried her briefcase in his free hand, while holding onto to her with the other.  While they waited for the elevator, she noticed a couple approaching the elevator and when it stopped she held the door open until they stepped inside the door.  The nametags they wore indicated they were involved in the seminar and they were headed to the same place.  They got involved in small talk during the short ride and entered the ballroom together.  Once inside they departed, D’Cerner making her way to the front while Carlos headed to the book table to make sure that D’Cerner’s books were on display.  People were already lined up reviewing the books even though the tables were not officially going to be open for another ten minutes and then only until the session started. 

As she made her way to the front of the room, D’Cerner stopped several times to speak to people she recognized and shook hands with them.  When she reached the front row, Pamela Donnelly was waiting for her with open arms. 

“Good morning, Sunshine,” she smiled as she hugged her.

“Sunshine?” D’Cerner laughed as she returned the hug.

“Yes, you light up a room wherever you go.  Haven’t you noticed how people just smile when they see you?”

“Yes, but I thought they were just being nice.”

“Nice is one thing, but you really need to see you as others do.  There’s a light emanating from you that causes you to glow.  It’s not you, but the Holy Spirit in you.  You really know how to let your light shine, even when something is eating away at you.”

“Something eating at me?” D’Cerner asked, startled.  “What do you mean?”

“Dee, I’ve been around a long time and I’ve watched you for years.  I know that something is bothering you.  I’m not asking what.  I’m not sure that I want to know, but I want you to know that if there’s anything at all that we can do for you, just say the word.”

“Pam, I appreciate the thought, but only Daddy can do something about this one.  One of these days, when it’s all over, I’ll fill you in.  But right now, I just need your prayers.”

“Honey, my prayers and my love, you’ve got.  Are you ready?  It’s just about time for us to start.”

Pamela stepped up to the podium to announce they were ready to start the session.  After an opening prayer and a few praise songs, she asked for a specific couple to come to the front.  D’Cerner lifted her eyes in wonderment because it was the same couple for whom she had held the elevator.  She had no idea who they were or why they would be on the program.  She shifted in her seat as she waited for Pamela and her husband to introduce the couple.

When the couple reached Reverend Donnelly and his wife, they each hugged them in turn. 

“We know that is this is a seminar devoted to women in ministry,” Pastor Donnelly began, “but we also wanted to acknowledge Mr. And Mrs. Nowand, who have a testimony to share because they said that someone here today, needed to hear it.”

Mr. Nowand stepped up to the podium and holding his wife’s hand, began speaking.

“We know that most of you don’t have the slightest idea about who we are and that’s okay. We know that the Lord knows us,” he said laughing.   “But seriously,” he continued when the laughter died down, “My wife and I are celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary this weekend, which is why I’m here with her.  This morning as we were preparing to come down to the ballroom, the Holy Spirit spoke to our hearts and said that today, someone needed to hear about us.  Well, my wife and I discussed it and here we are.  We don’t know who needs to know our testimony, but here goes.” 

“Twenty-one years ago, we met after having talked to each other over the phone for almost nine months.  We both knew that it was by divine design that we marry, but we were kind of stubborn and resisted each other for quite some time.  Well, while we were resisting, things kept happening to both of us.  I mean all kinds of negative things.  My car was totaled in an accident, my wife broke her leg in a freak accident and nothing we did seemed to turn out right.  Finally, we decided that we needed to pray and repent of our stubbornness.  Two weeks after that prayer, we got married and have been married since.  God has blessed us with three children, all saved and living for the Lord.  It seems like whatever we do, it's blessed.  So now, whoever needed to hear this, there it is.  If you know that God has revealed your mate to you, regardless of what it seems like, just trust Him.  He’ll work it out, even if it means you have to suffer through some things in order to get to where He wants you.  We are living witnesses that God’s purposes and His plans will be fulfilled.”