I found this review very point on and this chapter excerpt particularly powerful so I had to repost! Hope you enjoy. If you'd like to read the rest, you can get it at Amazon!
This review is from: Triumph Through Trial "A Story of Renewal" (Kindle Edition)
So often the beauty of life surfaces among the thorns of pain. Triumph Through Trials walks the reader through the stages we face in relationships, chapters of life, and common episodes--so often, taken for granted and unappreciated. Until the day adversity rocks our senses and we're forced to take a second look, wake up to the value and often, for the first time, see life through the eyes of love. Triumph Through Trials reminds us of God's power to restore relationships and rekindle dreams.--Janet Perez Eckles
Read the following excerpt:
Triumph Through Trial
By Theresa Franklin
Excerpt II
Michael sat in the car staring out at the city lights. The park was dark, but the downtown Christmas lights could be seen even from here. They seemed to be prettier when one sat in the dark. He thought about the argument that he and Cynthia had just had. It was more like Cynthia argued and he stated his opinion when he could, which was seldom. Michael wondered if he had stayed in the marriage because he was strong or because he was too weak to leave. When the kids had been younger, he had felt it his duty to maintain a home with two parents. Now he was beginning to wonder if he had done his children a disservice by allowing them to grow up with contention. He knew that every home had problems, but was it good for kids to live in that type of environment on a daily basis?
Michael was so consumed by his thoughts that he failed to notice that he was not alone in the park.
The street gang had been sitting on the picnic tables in the park discussing what to do that night. It hadn’t been an especially good day for any of them. As a whole, they were too poor to receive material possessions from family, too proud to accept hand outs from the shelter, and too self centered to be a blessing to anyone else.
“I’m bored.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. But I’m tired of just hanging out here.”
“Do you see what I see?” One of them asked the others.
“Whew wee. A rich guy all alone in the park on Christmas night.”
“Yeah, maybe he would like to share a little of that wealth with us.”
“Isn’t that what Christmas is for? Giving to others?”
“I heard once that it is more blessed to give than receive.”
“Well, let’s go give this guy a blessing and allow him to give to us.” The entire gang laughed.
“Let’s have some fun while he is receiving his blessing.” Another laugh and still Michael heard nothing.
By the time Michael was jarred out of his deep thoughts; his car was surrounded with some of the most menacing characters he had ever seen. One guy opened the door as another one pulled him out of the car.
“I don’t want any trouble, guys. What do you want?”
“Did you hear that? He don’t want no trouble.” The one that opened the door said.
“You being smart with us, old man?”
“No, I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.” Michael tried to keep his cool. He knew showing fear would only spur them on.
“Whew. I’m scared. How about you guys?”
“Oh, please don’t hurt me, Mr. old man.” Another mocked.
“You rich, old man?”
“No, I’m not rich. Do you want money? Take it. Take my wallet.”
“Oh we are going to take more than your wallet.”
“Yeah, that’s a really nice car you have.”
“Fine, take the car too.” Michael said.
“Take my wallet. Take my car. Please let me go.” The door opener mocked.
“You think that’s all we want, old man?” The one that pulled him out of the car asked.
“What else do you want?”
“We’re bored. We want to have some fun.”
Immediately, Michael knew the meaning of real fear. He had barely had time to process it when the first blow came to his left rib cage. Almost at the same time, he felt a blow to his right temple. Then someone kicked him in the back of his right knee and he fell to the ground. Things went from bad to worse. The blows and kicks started coming from all sides. He couldn’t even react to one before another came. He could tell that he had at least one cracked rib and could feel the blood running down his face from his right temple. He could see the faces standing over him, but the blows were coming so fast they seemed to be disconnected from the bodies. He could feel his lips swelling. He rolled over on his stomach to protect himself. Then he felt several kicks to his kidneys. The pain was so severe that Michael thought he was going to pass out. Rolling again, he took more punches to the groin. Several punches were thrown to his eyes. Michael’s eyes swelled shut and he could no longer see anyone. More punches and kicks were thrown to his body. The last thing he felt before losing conscientiousness was a kick to the back of his head.
The gang members saw the lights of the police car as it rounded the curve. One member alerted the others and all scattered in different directions like ants whose bed had been stirred with a stick.
Officer Adams saw the gang scatter and started to give chase, but then he saw Michael lying on the ground…
I want to know what happened and how the Lord restored the family. This will be on my TBR (to be read) pile for sure. There is one thing about being in a large writing community...when there is so much good reading, it is hard to make time for my own writing. Will be spending some time with the Lord to nail down some parameters for balancing being a responsible member of the community and a responsible servant and obedient to my own calling! Is this just me or do others find it difficult to balance the two?
Blessings, Carol
Marcia’s inspirational writing has won awards in both Canada and the U.S. Her devotionals are distributed to thousands and her novel, One Smooth Stone, won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award in 2006. Marcia is also a sought-after speaker for women’s events. Visit her at www.vinemarc.com
