A Living Testimony: Run To The Light, Run Like The Wind

A Living Testimony: Run To The Light, Run Like The Wind

Copyright 2012 Jonathan D. Payne

http://kidroncrossing.blogspot.com/

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COVER ART BY THE AUTHOR

This material cannot be copied, transmitted, or used in any form of media, without the expressed written

permission of the author or publisher. Kidron Crossing Publishing 2012 / Salida, Colorado

A KIDRON CROSSING BOOK – SMASHWORDS EDITION

This book is designed to deepen your faith, draw you closer in relationship to God, and provide thoughtful principles of faith in a novel or book form. This story is fictional, though it draws on much of my personal history. It is my desire to put forth Christ Jesus, and God the Father, as the sole first cause in the lives of God's Children. The only duly recognized authority we hold to is the Word of God, given to all of His children, and which we deem as the final arbiter of all truth.

This ebook (A Living Testimony, et al) is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Prologue

Matthew 24:8 But all these things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end.

Esther loaded the old car for the short trip to the Grayson's Corner high school outdoor track. The elementary school didn't have one, but it was nice that the high school's track was a mere 10 minutes away. But she could still feel the tension building, and her stomach was beginning to be a little unsettled. Esther was glad her brother Silas would be waiting for them when they arrived however. He was always a calming presence—more so since her husband left to parts unknown, in his efforts to protect the family. They had discussed it, prayed about it, and even though she didn't agree with the final outcome, she must admit that his heart and desire was in the right place.

Esther could always hear Silas’s voice in her mind when she thought about her husband Steven. Silas would always remind her they needed to take care of Jonje. To ignore the Tribal Council totally, especially the head councilman Caohay, and their unwanted attention and efforts towards the family. That their family was not under their control, and their grandfather had made sure that would always be the case. It’s the only time she had ever seen her younger brother angry at anything, or perturbed really, even though she knew it wasn't directed at her. His calm and peace was legendary in Grayson’s Corner, and for good reason.

But it took his sister to test it, it would seem. Oh well, she thought to herself wistfully.

Esther smiled knowing that Elias and Jeffrey would be there as well. Wherever one of them was, all three would be there as well. She was glad, she would need all the moral support she could get, and having the friends there was truly comforting. This was the first time she had taken Jonje anywhere to compete openly. She knew that God had blessed him with speed when he ran, but Esther knew no one would believe it with out experiencing it. To see for themselves how fast Jonje actually was.

Hurry up Jonje, we're running late she shouted over her shoulder, as she loaded the back seat with two large water bottles, and a little food for later. Her son came running out of the front door and jumped in the car. After being seated, he quickly fastened the seatbelt in place. Jonje was rather small for his twelve years, and it seemed the seatbelt just swallowed him completely whole. He was especially small for a Quapaw child, as they always seemed to be tall and somewhat thick. But unlike other children his age, Jonje was obedient to a fault, and Esther was extremely grateful to God for that. Jonje was not like the other children.

Yes Mama, the young boy replied earnestly, fidgeting back and forth in his seat.

And be still, she admonished him lightly, lightly tapping his knee to still him, smiling to herself at his antics. No need to get him wound up more than he already was, she thought to herself. Besides, she had enough stress for both of them, and then some. Did you wash your face and brush your teeth? Esther asked more automatically than anything else, he always brushed his teeth and washed his face. And then she turned to go to the front door of the farm house and locked it.

She hurried back to the car and her anxious son.

He's as nervous as I am, she thought, he just handles it better maybe than I do, fidgeting aside. Of course being just twelve years old helps. No big problems of the world for him yet. At least not today. All he needed to do was run, the problems of the world will come soon enough, she thought ruefully to herself. This was the first time they had ever been on an outing without Silas already with them. He should be here driving them to the school, good-naturedly grumbling for everyone to hurry up.

The thought brought a small, sad smile to her face. It really should be Steven, she thought.

Not good, and no time for regrets, we have what we have, she thought sternly once again. Just focus on Jonje and his first big race. Everyone in their small town would be there today, including Old Man Grayson.It was because his grandson, David, would also be running today. True, it was just an exhibition race for his grandson, he wasn't formally racing. But she knew, as everyone did, Grayson would be there watching very closely.

To calm her mind from fruitless pursuits, she finally climbed into the driver's side of the car. She turned once more to Jonje, time for prayer, my son. Today you will be a living testimony to God! And remember what I always tell you, run to the light, run like the wind! She patted his leg lovingly once more, then they said the Lord's Prayer. Esther ended it by saying a small prayer that God's will be done that day, and only His will.

Little did she know what she had just set in motion...

Chapter One

Jeremiah 30:10 So people of Jacob, my servants, don't be afraid. Israel, don't be frightened, says the Lord. I will soon save you from that faraway place where you are captives. I will save your family from that land. The people of Jacob will be safe and have peace again; there will be no enemy to frighten them.

The dawn air had a cool bite to it as the sun was cresting the eastern sky. Even so, many farms in the area were already hours awake, with lights on in bustling kitchens, bedrooms, and even fields already alive with activity. The quiet hum of another long, but fruitful day, laboring in the fields. The work and quiet bustle all around could be felt, like a slow current cascading throughout the valley.

Sarah Cutler was standing center stage in the busy kitchen, wearing her pink house shoes and robe, assessing what to do next. The old farm house, home to the Cutler family, had stood there for over three generations, with it’s bright and cheerful yellow exterior all trimmed in white. The kitchen was the same yellow hue but more subdued, with the long kitchen table adorned with a tablecloth all in checkered red and white. It was sitting on a well scrubbed, clean wooden floor.

Sarah always said that if they had an old hound dog lying sleepily on the front room rug, they would be a picture right out of an old Rockwell print. The home was all light, warm, cozy, and colorful. But that was fanciful thinking mused Sarah, right now the thought was that there had to be a law against anyone even wanting to be awake at 6 in the morning! Well 5:30 really, when you factored in family morning prayers that they said each morning of each day. She quietly smiled contentedly to herself, half awake, as she stifled yet another yawn.

Where in the world are my work shoes?, an agitated Jacob grumbled once again, as if no one had heard him the first who knew how many times before! He prowled the room like a big cat, searching for the missing worn leather work boots, grumbling over and over again.

A typical morning indeed, Sarah thought to herself, stumbling around the kitchen.

Oh yes, she reminded herself, remember it's Jake now that his 19nth birthday was due in the first week of next month. Sarah was mentally rolling her eyes. She again noted his long brown hair, as he kept unconsciously wiping it out of his eyes. There they are!, he crowed triumphantly, as he went diving under the couch.

Right where you left them last night huh? Sarah asked him with a knowing look. Jake just grunted as he brushed his overly long locks out of his face once again, as he concentrated on grabbing the missing shoes.

It was way past due for another trip to the barber shop in town, Sarah thought absently.

Sarah's youngest brother Micah, was completely dressed and quietly eating his cereal, which he had just poured. He was reading his Bible, per his usual habit, munching along while caught up in the Book of Revelation again. He looked just like a younger Jake, but with his hair cut neatly short, he could never stand it too long. However he definitely had his mother’s blue eyes, unlike Jake's brown.

The Bible he was reading was written in Hebrew, and was his prized possession. Micah was quite fluent in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek as well. In some small way Jake and Micah helped ease the pain of their parent’s passing, who she missed sorely. No time for that, expunging the offending thought thoroughly from her mind.

Sarah finally plopped down into the seat next to Micah after finally finding what she was looking for. She poured some milk into an expectant bowl full of crunchy cornflakes, the morning staple. It was quick, easy and she didn't have to cook it first! She turned to her younger brother and asked, how old are you again? Just remind me will ya'? Micah paused between mouthfuls of noisily crunching cereal and his continual study of The End Time Apocalypse.

He replied, You know you ask me that at least twice a day Sarah, as he looked up at his older sister, a small smile playing around her mouth and cereal.

Sarah couldn't resist the opening, well how many 10 year-olds do YOU know who can read, speak, and write Koine Greek, the original Aramaic, and Hebrew with a complete understanding of Old Testament customs and cultures of the Bible? And let's not forget all that study happens before 6:30 every morning, right before school starts. She joked good-naturedly looking up at the kitchen clock duly noting the advancing time. Jake had already eaten but it reminded her to ask him something.

Jacob, I mean Jake, she amended after his world weary sigh denoting his frustration at everyone's slow adoption of his new found maturity, could you please drop off Micah at the school this morning? I have an appointment later with David Grayson down at the bank. It's about the back taxes again, of course. Sarah gave a long suffering look to no one in particular, this was getting too common a routine.

Sure Sarah, no problem. Jake could be a real pain, he worked hard at it sometimes she thought, but he was always very serious about things when it came to the farm, and especially now. And he was quite reliable, unlike the majority of kids his age. Did she just think that? Kids his age? Sarah was only 28 years old herself, and did not view that as old by any means of course.

Regardless of her age, young or old, she was acutely aware of the weight of the world riding on her shoulders this morning. Talking to Grayson was never what a person would call fun, even in casual conversation, but this was quite a bit more serious, and affected everyone directly. Today she knew that she had to be especially sharp minded and alert!

Thanks Jake, she said with genuine sincerity. At least that was taken care of.

His quick smile always caught Sarah off guard, as he responded to her thanks. She had a sneaking suspicion that he understood more than he let on, he was always surprisingly astute concerning the operation of the farm. She suspected he was even an equal match intellectually for Micah, and that was saying something! He always was be a real shoulder of support in times of need, especially now.

Sarah always felt the warmth of the family's support and love in times like these. It was a real godsend and sorely needed, specifically now with all this craziness with the bank and Grayson. Which in reality amounted to the same thing. The bank and Grayson were truly the same entity, no matter how you looked at it. Now to get girded up for her meeting later that morning. She didn't really want to even go as she knew they wouldn't agree on terms, they never had in the past, so why would today be any different? She didn't want to sell the farm at any cost, no matter how much money was offered, and Grayson really wanted their land!

She finished her breakfast, just barely a little behind Micah. She probably ate it too fast, she thought, as he was already halfway done when she first sat down. Sarah tended to do that, when her mind was busy with some pressing need, her attention elsewhere. She would just go on automatic.

I wonder, should I be the damsel in distress this morning, or go in with guns blazing, taking no prisoners? she asked herself whimsically, chin resting in her palm. It was only after Micah responded she realized she had said it out loud.

Guns blazing of course. Micah said rather matter-of-factly, as he snagged his lunchbox off the kitchen counter, where Sarah left it for him every morning.

Why would you say that? Sarah asked, really curious. But it was Jake who piped in as he grabbed his keys to the old pickup truck hanging in their usual place by the backdoor. He had put on his work boots and was ready to start the day.

Because he would be too busy rolling on the floor, laughing uncontrollably to even be able to finish the conversation! Jake paused to look at his sister intensely, Sarah let's be real, you're always serious!

Sarah thought about that a moment then said, not always. Jake and Micah looked at each other, not saying a word, thinking the same thing. Sarah had gotten to her feet, as the boys got ready to leave, and stood there with arms crossed in complete denial.

The boys suddenly got busy heading out the door, not willing to comment further. Except Micah just couldn't resist one last remark, as he stopped a moment and looked seriously at his sister. Of course this in itself was not unusual, but the mischievous glint in his eye gave away what he was thinking.

Stick to what you know, and who you are, Sarah. It's a little late to try something new! Micah serious minded he might have been, but stupid he wasn't. Quickly ducking behind the door, he was just barely a second fast enough before the wet dish cloth hit the door right where he had stood a moment before.

One thing Micah knew about his sister, when roused, she was a deadly aim!

Sarah sat back down at the kitchen table, suddenly overcome with the situation at hand. For six years after their parents had died, she had scrimped and saved every penny, nickel, and dime the small farm produced each year. With the accidental death insurance money and the accrued savings, Sarah had finally paid off the farm two years ago. No small feat indeed! But then Grayson, with his influence and his grandfather's money, had convinced the state somehow to rezone the local area. All the while in doing so, it placed everything within in it in a higher tax bracket.

So supposedly under the guise of helping the state's revenue and taxation board, the bank was demanding the back taxes newly accrued from the redistricting. And it was time sensitive as well, as all was now due in 90 days. Of course if you couldn't pay the new taxes, then the bank would help you out by buying your land, before you could default.

Sarah wasn't fooled. Grayson wanted to acquire the land because it abutted the main county roads and was a natural access point for future expansion. And Grayson was banking on expansion, literally! From what little information she had, it was said the old county roads would become a main highway into and out of town. Property values along it's route would sky rocket in value. She had also heard talk that he was trying to convince large corporate investors, financed through his bank of course, to build in the area.

The family land was prime territory and he wanted it badly, simple as that.

With any lingering mirth now fully gone, Sarah laid her head on the table and cried deeply and bitterly. She was completely at her wit's end on how to get the money to pay these new taxes. She had tried everything, and then some, and she had no options left that she knew of. It didn't matter to her that many of the farms around hers were having the same problem, currently it was her problem! No one had ever seen Sarah cry, because everyone believed that Sarah never cried, not even at her parents' funeral. And she fostered that belief.

But the tears had come later, many and in private, unseen by others. They came now from frustration and heartbreak. Sarah looked up at the clock, she had two hours before the meeting with Grayson. Oh Lord God, what should I do? Sarah just didn't know what to do in this situation, she was at a complete loss.

First pray, she got the quiet thought, it was something her parents had always taught her. Put God in the middle of the situation and no matter how hopeless it looks, His will would always get done. Pray to God and all that would left to do was for her to get ready for the appointment, and follow God's leading in the situation. She let out a deep sigh, she always felt better with a course of action to follow.

Immediately she put thought into action.

Dear God, I thank you that You are with me today! You are always with me! Help me to remember that Lord. This has been a long and hard battle, You know it better than I do! I relinquish it all to You. You know I don't like David Grayson, who he is and what he stands for. But Lord help me to love him in Christ anyway. To see this whole thing with Your eyes and not rely on what I can see in the flesh! And no matter what, let only Your will be done.

And Lord, please help me to stay calm and not say something I will regret later. Especially so that anger, insult, or whatever else can be used against me, can't be used, but instead that I walk only in Your peace. Please, You talk Lord, I ask again, and You decide what needs to be done. And help me to relinquish all control to You. We humans always want to be in control all the time, which simply allows emotion, and the flesh, to sabotage us! I want only Your perfect plan and purpose, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

And with that she got up and headed to get showered and dressed, finally at peace.

* * * * *

I just don't feel at peace with this Micah, Jake said with a passion that even surprised him. David Grayson is a snake-oil salesman if I ever saw one!

Micah looked up at him seriously and asked, have you ever met a snake-oil salesman? Jake gave his brother a withering look as they barreled down the dirt road, dust flying everywhere as they headed towards Micah's school.

You know what I mean, Jake replied in a long-suffering sigh.

Of course, but your point would carry more weight if you kept to analogies that you have personal experience with. Just saying, Micah replied.

Jake rolled his eyes again. What I mean is that the tax money is due at the end of four months, so why does he want a private meeting with Sarah at this point? We don't have the money, and can't get it in that amount of time, and he knows it! It just doesn't add up!

Micah thought about it for a moment then offered, well with a tax lien on the property, if not paid, the bank gets control of the asset when it goes into foreclosure. In essence the bank is foreclosing on the property, so to speak, since it is handling all taxes in the county that are in arrears. It then gets the option to sell it off, which he won't do unless it is an investor looking to buy it, and receive the monies from the sale that are over the amount of the tax liability. That money goes to the county, of course. Or he can keep it in trust through the bank, along with the other properties he has acquired, and use all that land itself in the proposed city expansion. By developing it or by selling it, again, to the investors. But now in parcels he has the control to determine size, price and which, again, properties his bank will keep.

Of course our land is the crown jewel in all this because of it's location, plus Grayson has a lot riding on this, and he needs ownership or control of our land for this deal to go forward. Location is key to much of this. So his choices are to buy the land cheap, which he can't do, or acquire it through a default on the back taxes. The reason he can't buy our farm cheap, it's already paid off, something that most others can't say. So he has to deal with Sarah if he wants the land quicker, even if she does or doesn't sell it to him. It's an additional 60 days to process, with a tax default, but at this point it still ends up in his control. So this has got to be his last offer, because he can then move forward 30 days sooner if Sarah were to sell. In other words, if he can get it before year's end. Of course, this can be critical if he's got any skittish investors!

Jake looked at his brother, almost driving off the road in doing so.

How old are you? You're just not normal, Jake groused under his breath. That earned him a dark scowl from his brother.

OK, so let's say for arguments sake you're right. Then what does he want in this meeting with Sarah? Jake continued in exasperation. "If what you're saying is true, wouldn't it make more sense to just let things take it's course and eat the extra 30 days on a sure thing? I'm sure his investors can't be that skittish, that waiting another 30-60 days would make a real difference one way or another! We don't have enough money to pay the taxes, and we've already run out of extensions from the county."

They pulled up in front of Micah's school. You could feel the bustle all around, as everyone was heading inside, or being dropped off by their family or friends. The parking area was filled with activity as the dirt parking lot was filling up with cars and trucks. The school bell would be ringing in a few moments, calling everyone to morning classes.

"He probably wants to offer to buy out the property completely at or below valuation, if his project