My Steps Are Ordered (26 page)

Lauren sat in her newly rented house with her feet propped up on the coffee table. She looked around the sparse room. Like the rest of the house, it was almost bare. All she had so far was a sleeper couch, the coffee table, and a TV. Reporting and news were in her blood. She had to know what was going on in the world.

Lauren knew that she would have to get the place ready soon.

She hugged her tummy, which was expanding and showing the life growing inside. Or, she should say, lives. Dr. Kline had told her he heard two heartbeats, instead of one. She would be going for an ultrasound in a couple of weeks to confirm that she was carrying twins.

She felt her eyes brimming with pity tears again. With a brisk wave, Lauren wiped them away. Her emotions were so topsy-turvy. She cried about the oddest things and at the most inopportune times. It was downright annoying.

She put the television on and angled her body so that she could watch it, as it was sitting on the coffee table. She flipped through the channels until she came to a rerun of, of all things, her interview with Keith and Michael. She quickly hit the record button.

Lauren cried when Tiny zoomed in on Michael's handsome face. To her, he was the more gorgeous of the two brothers. She did not understand what Gina saw in Keith, why she'd chosen him over Michael.

The last segment was playing now, when Keith looked directly into the camera to address the audience. She perked up. His speech was one that she would never forget. Lauren supposed that it was not by chance that she was now about to hear it again.

Once again, Lauren was enraptured as Keith spoke from his heart. “I must admit that if I were in your shoes now, I would be enthralled by this scintillating piece of gossip. But this is my life. Yes, a few years ago, I fell in love with Gina, who is now my brother's wife. I can say that I'm sorry, but I would be lying if I said I had regrets. How can I regret the woman who, besides God, has been my passion and my . . . everything? I know that there are other women out there, but they are not Gina.”

Gina had left by then, but Keith had still paused a moment to address her. Lauren wondered if Gina had ever heard Keith's statement. “Gina, darling, I love you. I always will. My life is meaningful because you're alive. I know we may never be together, but you've always been in my heart and you always will be.”

Lauren saw herself squirm in the face of Keith's intense declaration. She remembered trying to remain professional, but she had been moved. Lucky for her, Tiny had chosen that moment to take a close-up of Keith's face.

Keith had turned toward the camera and allowed the world to see his agony and torment and lack of caring. His final words had made the world forgive him and the women's hearts melt. “I know I could sit here and deny what's in my heart to make myself look good to you. But I'll never do that. I could never deny my love for Gina Ward, and now for my children. I profess it willingly. I love Gina. My heart beats for her alone. No other woman can take her place. No other woman will do.”

As she hit the REWIND button, all Lauren could think was,
Will Michael ever feel that way about me? Is he even capable of such a love?

Coming May 2015

 

 

Book Three of the “On the Right Path” Series

A Condemned Man. His Two Brides. One Untimely Death.

He had it all. Will he have to lose everything in order to save his soul?

 

Michael Ward is at the top of his game. He didn't need anyone or anything and he liked it that way. Money is his new best friend. Until he's arrested for a heinous crime he didn't commit. As much as he hates to admit it, Michael needs his brother, Keith Ward, the man who stole his wife and children. Will Michael open his heart to forgive his brother?

Verona “Tiger” Stachs has been Michaels' attorney for years. She's in love with him but is tired of being treated as his guinea pig. A backslidden Christian, Verona finds herself being drawn closer to God. She thought she was through with God, but He's nowhere through with her. Which relationship will she choose?

Keith Ward's a prominent minister and family man, yet he yearns to rekindle his relationship with his brother. When Michael calls him citing that he desperately needs his help, Keith jumps at the chance to set things right with Michael. Will Keith be able to lead Michael into the light?

1. Gina, Michael, and Keith were parents who had to take care of a sick child. Though Trey recovered, what are some thoughts we can offer families who lose their children and question or blame God? Why do you think God allows children to be sick?
   
2. Gina wanted to have another child, but she didn't like the idea of having one for the sole purpose of saving another. Share your thoughts on whether or not you think it's okay to have children for this purpose.
   
3. Gina was married to one man while being in love with another. Keith constantly filled her thoughts. As Christians, how can we counsel someone who is facing this struggle?
   
4. The story is based on the scripture Psalm 37:23, and the events show that Keith's steps were truly ordered. What are some incidents or experiences that you've had that prove that God is with you every step of the way?
   
5. Gina felt that she was a good person and that she didn't need God. Are there friends or family members in your life who you know behave better than those who profess to be saved? How can we minister to these individuals who have high morals and values but haven't accepted Christ? Are there any Bible scriptures or histories that back this up?
   
6. Throughout the novel, Gina relied on God only when she needed something. How do we engage in this same behavior at times? What are the dangers of knowing God only when we need Him?
   
7. Keith was unwilling to face his past, though he had converted. Although the sins of the past are forgiven, there are still consequences. How do we explain, then, that God has thrown these sins into the sea of forgetfulness? Why do we still have to face our past if it has been forgiven?
   
8. Keith's love for Gina made him betray his brother. Do you think there is ever a time when love justifies hurting someone you love or going against family?
   
9. Sometimes when we minister to people, they feel as if they're too sinful for God to really want them. Share your experiences. What scriptures or words of comfort can we offer someone who feels this way?
   
10. Gina and Keith had different reactions when faced with the possibility of losing their children. Discuss their different reactions, particularly from a saved versus unsaved point of view.
    
11. Do you think it's possible in this day/time, given Facebook and other forms of social media, to hide the fact that you have a child?
    
12. Though Gina was a strong woman and was unsaved, she allowed Michael to manipulate her because she believed in marriage and she didn't want Trey to grow up in a single- parent home. Should we remain in a marriage if we're unhappy, even if we're saved? Should a child influence our decision to stay in an unhealthy marriage?
    
13. Do you share Colleen's belief that there are some marriages that God didn't put together?
    
14. What advice can we give to couples that face infertility ? Share some of the reasons for infertility. Do you think it is a punishment from God to be unable to bear children?
    
15. Keith ignored God's voice when he was urged to confess the truth. Have you ever ignored God's spirit and done your own thing? Share your experiences and any life lessons learned.
    
16. Keith faced instances where his flesh and spirit struggled. He knew what was right, but his heart wanted what it wanted. What are some practical tips we can give believers when they are faced with temptation? How did Christ address this in scripture?
    
17. God gave Keith a second chance. Do you think he deserved it? Are there certain individuals who you feel don't deserve a second chance?
    
18. Michael's actions grew out of anger and malice because he had been wronged. Were his actions, though extreme, somewhat justified? Why or why not?
    
19. Michael used his children as pawns to get back at Gina. He didn't consider the innocent children. What lesson can we take from this? Why isn't it a good or godly idea to use children for revenge?
    
20. Keith and Gina's relationship was messy. She committed adultery, and he betrayed his brother. Should he still be allowed to be in ministry? Why or why not?
    

Michelle Lindo-Rice
enjoys crafting women's fiction with themes centered around the four “F” words: Faith, Friendship, Family and Forgiveness. Originally from Jamaica West Indies, Michelle Lindo-Rice calls herself a lifelong learner.

She has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at Stony Brook, and Teachers College, Columbia University. When she moved to Florida, she enrolled in Argosy University where she completed her Education Specialist degree in Education Leadership. A pastor's kid, Michelle upholds the faith, preaching, teaching and ministering through praise and worship.

Her first Christian Fiction novel,
Sing a New Song
, was released in January 2013 and was an Editor's Choice feature in Black Expressions Book Club.
Walk a Straight Line
is her second work of fiction and first in the “On the Right Path Series.” For more information, or to leave an encouraging word; you can reach Michelle online at Facebook, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, Twitter@mlindorice, or join her mailing list at:

www.uchisglorybookclub.net

 

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Many Blessing to You!

 

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My Steps Are Ordered Copyright © 2014

Michelle Lindo-Rice

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

ISBN: 978-1-6016-2667-7

 

First Trade Paperback Printing August 2014

 

 

This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

 

 

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