Until Forever (Women of Prayer)
Until Forever
©2010 by
Darlene Shortridge
Published by TreasureLine Publishing
All rights reserved.
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Kindle Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only or provided by the author or publisher, please purchase your own copy out of respect for the author's work.
The following is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, to factual events or to businesses is coincidental and unintentional. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
Cover Design: Linda Boulanger
http://www.TellTaleBookCovers.weebly.com/
Interior Layout: Amanda Stephan
Published by: TreasureLine Publishing
http://www.treasurelinepublishing.com/index.html
Also available in Paperback
Darlene’s Website:
http://www.darleneshortridge.com/
Dedication
***
To Daniel,
my Until Forever partner,
friend and love.
Praise for Until Forever
“I can categorically state that Until Forever is not normally the type of book I would pick up. That said, I really enjoyed it! Darlene is an extremely gifted and exciting new author. Her story of a family suffering and growing and changing manages to leap beyond the clichés of the genre and stand as an original work. I look forward to more from her in the coming years.”
—Cliff Graham, Author of Day of War
“Until Forever, by Darlene Shortridge, is an incredible journey that pulls the reader into a world of emotions that can only be described as absolutely powerful. Often, beauty comes from tragedy, as well as the compelling truth about the power of prayer, the freedom of forgiveness, and the love of God. I urge everyone to read this book because it gives the reader an opportunity to experience the love of God through the heart and soul of a parent, the kind of love that will last Until Forever.”
—S.B. Newman, Author of The Night Eagles Soared
“Until Forever delves into the difficult realms of reconciliation, redemption, and forgiveness. Shortridge illustrates a story that is at times poignant and compelling. I found myself vicariously experiencing Jessi and Mark’s tragic loss and desperately wanted them to be fully healed and restored. If you battle with the perception that you are unconditionally loved and forgiven by God, this novel is for you.”
—Jeral Davis, Author of Tomorrow
“Until Forever has made me stop and realize that God’s timing is perfect, unlike ours. What happens in our life today defines Gods greatness. The things good and bad are used to bring you closer to him. Great story, very deep!”
—Kathy Kelly, Assistant Worship Leader
“Darlene Shortridge is a talented new writer who brings a lot of creativity to the craft. Her compelling cadence drew me from one page to another, and I found it hard to put her book down. Until Forever is one of those captivating books that will inspire you as well as entertain.”
—Marilyn Jackson, Former Editor, Women’s Speaker, Pastor’s Wife
“Darlene Shortridge has written a wonderful book. Until Forever is the kind of book that the reader can invest himself into. I found myself wondering how I would react in the same circumstances. Would I hold onto grief in the same way, or would I be able to move on with my life? How would I handle forgiveness? I think it is the mark of a good book when the reader is able to move past the story and make life decisions for himself. Until Forever is a thoughtful book with a great message. The storyline is compelling, and I found the book hard to put down. I recommend that you add Until Forever to your reading list.”
—Elaine Littau, Author of Nan’s Journey
Acknowledgments
There are many people who cross a person’s path through the course of their lifetime. Some of those people have such a profound impact that said person will never be the same. I am blessed to have many, many people who hold that place of honor in my life, too many to mention by name. You already know who you are and how much I appreciate you.
I would like to recognize a few people for their encouragement, hard work and talent. First off, a giant thank you to all my new friends on facebook and twitter. You guys have been amazing!
A big thank you to Amanda Stephan…I mean squirrel…for all her hard work, her amazing friendship and…squirrel…her uncompromising example of a faith that sticks! And she is a fabulous formatter to boot!
I’d like to thank my Sisters’ In Cahoots for their support and for being there when I need a shoulder. You gals are the bomb! Elaine Littau, you have been there for the past two years, answering every question, being a prayer partner and a friend. I could not ask for a dearer friend. Everyone in the Word and Pen Writer’s Group…you have pushed me to be a better writer and examine every word I write. To the ladies from my Bible study at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, your desire to become everything God wants you to be coupled with your amazing support leave me speechless. Your resolve at remaining true to God’s Word, in the midst of turmoil, is an example I will always hold near. You are those friends in our current study; you know the ones I am talking about!
Deb…you are the sister of my heart. Love you! Jeanna…never forget…compassion and mercy are at the very heart of God. You are an example to us all! Love you! Barb…your heart is simply amazing. I will continue to pray for you, I know you are praying for me. Love you! Ed and Kathy Kelly, Wayne and Marlene Cornwell, John Shortridge, thank you for your belief in this project. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated!
Linda Boulanger from Treasureline Books & Publishing…thanks for taking me on! The cover rocks! You outdid yourself!
Alvin Shortridge…aka Dad…aka Elvis…thank you for teaching me to dream!
Jeremiah, there is no better son anywhere! True story!
Jonna, the past year has been the hardest year of your young life. God does not make mistakes. You are an amazing young woman/girl and He has a great plan for your life! The writer in you is coming out…I can tell! I love you with all my heart!
Danny, I cannot imagine traveling on this journey that God has set before us with anyone but you. You are everything I am not. You balance me. You complete me. The past ten years with you have been the best years of my life. I love you more and more each day. Thank you for everything you are!
I serve an amazing God. He gives me the desires of my heart. He has allowed me to walk in my calling and write for Him. Everything I do, I do for the Glory of Him who has called me. It is a privilege to be your daughter. Thank you!
Foreword
My husband and I served as pastors for approximately thirty years. Of all the people we worked with, met, and led during those years, some people seem to stand out. Darlene is one of those people.
She was and is created by God to be a communicator. She comes from at least three generations of anointed professional quality communicators, both in music and the Word of God. We have had the privilege, and sometimes-great challenge, of walking with her family members.
Even though
Until
Forever
is a work of fiction, the characters could easily be real people, in real circumstances, experiencing real tragedy. Just like real life, they have the opportunity to find answers to their questions and obtain victory. Many of the experiences the characters go through parallel Darlene’s walk through life—times she has had to endure, walk through, cry through, fight through, and come out the other side of much wiser with a deeper faith, restored joy, and a fresh love of people and the Lord.
You are going to see yourself in this writing, as I did, and who knows what new insight you will gain or what the Lord might whisper to you as you walk with the characters through this journey entitled
Until
Forever
.
—Linda K. Johnson, retired pastor’s wife
Chapter 1
Jessi Jensen watched as her husband rubbed her son’s hair, and grinned.
“We’ll be fine. Don’t worry so much. Go on. I’ll even have supper ready for you when you get home.”
Jessi couldn’t help but show apprehension. After all, Mark had just spent six months in rehab. He hadn’t taken a drink in over six months, and he was Ethan’s dad, but could she trust him? She had learned the hard way a long time ago that trust was a word she could not use in the same sentence with her husband’s name.