Sowing & Reaping A Fearless Heart

Chapter 1

                        Wake up Call, March 25, 2004

²Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.

Revelation 3:2

The air was cold that March evening.  Though it was early spring, a winter-like nip was still in the air.  David stepped out of the Wal-mart, where he’d been shopping and checked his watch; it was shortly after 9 pm.  Scanning the parking lot, he did not see his friend’s vehicle.  David ran his hand through the hair on the back of his head.  He’d just have to walk back home.  With a sigh, he shouldered his bag and headed up Ninth Street, locally known as “Graveyard Road.”  Though he did not yet know it, David had a date with destiny.

He walked at an even pace.  It was cold enough that he could see his breath.  He shivered and drew his jacket closer around himself.  Listening to his footsteps on the sidewalk, he thought about the track his life had taken.  His mind traveled back in time to when life had been easier.  He remembered when life had been peaceful.  Back to the times before depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) gripped his mind, and psychiatrists flooded him with constantly changing medications. 

Back to the times before all the self-medicating alcohol and drug abuse and a self-defeating behavior had levied their attacks on his soul.  Times when he laughed, loved, and had peace in his life.  When he’d first given his life to Jesus Christ and with an unquenchable thirst sought HIM.  David had peace then.  His fearless heart did not act with reckless abandon or without concern for consequence.  He wondered if God still had use for him; he’d failed God, his family, and himself so many times.  He felt defeated, utterly defeated.

Ahead of him, he saw three young black men approaching.  Two of them he recognized as guys that hung out around the Village Bar & Grill, three blocks away, peddling their dope; the third one was a stranger.  They stopped and talked to him for a few moments.  One of them offered to sell him some drugs.  David refused.  It was time to stop that, time to try to come clean.  They parted company, and he continued on toward home. 

Nearing the grave yard ...