Inside The Hang Suite: BOP Chapter 1
Blessings of Purpose, A Novel – Chapter 1
Blogged by: Lia Braxton (Conrad)
Welcome back! Judging from the comment section of yesterday’s blog, it appears that no one had ‘checked in’ to The Suite yet. I’ll just assume that some “lurkers” are out there and I’m not here all alone 🙂
Anyway, let’s jump right into Chapter 1. Before we do, just to give you a little idea of where I am today, I’m still a SAHW (Stay At Home Wife). However, while Nigel is busy (for Christ) with his film career, I do volunteer with a women and children shelter in my community a few days a week. It’s a good opportunity for me to minister and encourage women who would, otherwise, feel hopeless. Some of the women have children, but most of them are preschool or elementary school age. There are a few teens that stay at the shelter at their mother’s side, but the majority has fallen prey to the streets. They resent their parents for the circumstances they are living under and feel they can do better on their own. It’s a sad situation.
Now in Chapter 1 of the novel, this is where you meet “my girls” who were a part of the youth ministry at my home church. What an entertaining bunch! I looked forward to getting together with the girls every week. It was like having eight little sisters—never a dull moment. Personalities may have clashed, but at the end of the night we were one happy family again. From time to time, I hear from Monica and Kenya, who are doing well. Crystal is family now so, of course, we talk on a regular basis. She’ll be making a stop here, at The Suite, real soon.
Mentoring to the girls gave me the opportunity to change my childhood tragedies into testimony. They received me well not only because I spoke from experience, but I didn’t preach to them. We talked and discussed how things in their lives related to the Bible. This made it easy for them to understand and they appreciated it. At that point in my life, I felt like I had finally found real purpose. Before, I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, but it took years before I actually surrendered to His will.
On a more personal note, after a long day working with the youth, it would have been nice to go home on a Friday night and have someone to unwind with. We could share our events of the day and make plans for the weekend. However, I wasn’t one to go out and hunt for a man. Most of my time was occupied and I believed that when God was ready, He would send a mate to me. I was content in the place where God had put me at that point in my life. It’s “he” that finds a virtuous woman and a good thing, right? Well, by the end of Chapter 1, it was obvious Rita Miller, Crystal’s mother, was planning to give God a little help in my ‘love’ life.
Well, that’s all for now. Tune in tomorrow to see what was on Rita’s agenda in Chapter 2. I believe she will be stopping by and bringing a very special guest along 🙂
TTYL,
Lia
PS. Remember, at any point during these blogs you want to comment or ask questions please do so. The cast (or author) will do our best to respond, if necessary, in the upcoming blog.
The Hang Suite is Open…Come on in!
**Note: Of course, admission is free to enter The Hang Suite, however we ask that you let us know you’ve been here by leaving your first name (only) and city and state you’re representing in the ‘Comment Box’ below.
Welcome everyone to the Blessings of Purpose Hang Suite! I’m Lia Braxton (Conrad), the “Leading Lady” (wow, I like the sound of that) from the novel written by Alicia Hill Jones. After the book was published, I began enjoying a, much needed, vacation. However, it was cut short when Alicia called me back to host this “sneak peek” into the novel. Apparently, many of you have not read Blessings of Purpose and I guess she figured I could intrigue you with my commentary, but once you read the first chapter or even the first page of the book, you’ll be hooked! On the other hand, maybe you’ve already read the book and just didn’t want it to end. Well, whichever your case may be, this is the place for you to be! Other characters will be joining us along the way so, get ready for 7-weeks of fun, laughs, and thought provoking dialogue.
Now, where do I begin…oh yes, the “Prologue”. I was hoping never (well not this soon, anyway) to re-live that 1 ½ years of my life that was captured in the novel’s 267 pages. Since I’m grateful daily to be a living testimony of God’s grace and mercy, it would be selfish of me not to share my story. Alicia believes it will enlighten and encourage many people—it was her inspiration for writing the book. I hope you will be inspired by my story as well.
The first section of the book begins with some of my background as a teenager. This bit of information is important for how things play out later in the book. I was a wild child and everything I did was in the name of “fun”. Can I get a witness? My friends and I weren’t hurting anyone and at the time, it never crossed our minds that we were hurting ourselves. Actually, we felt no pain in doing whatever, wherever, whenever. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes that there’s “nothing new under the sun”; teenagers did and continue to do rebellious things in the name of “fun”. But it’s those unknown, unfamiliar consequences that no one is ready to face. The question “Is it really worth it?” is usually asked when it’s too late.
That fateful, life-changing Friday night, began like any other. We partied hard and didn’t want to leave when it was time to meet curfew. I don’t even know whose party it was, but the people there were much older than 14 year-old me (including my boyfriend). I believe it was someone’s house that, Andre (my boyfriend), knew. Anyway, free alcohol and weed (marijuana)…that was my kind of party. It was good–while it lasted.
Unfortunately, my closest friends, Candice, Andre, and Desmond weren’t able to be here today. I shouldn’t be either. It’s been many years ago and hard lesson to learn for all of us. I tell you, the images of that night will always be so vivid to me. The pain never goes away…I miss you guys! I think this would be a good point to end, before I get too emotional.
Thanks for hanging out with me and come back to The Hang Suite tomorrow for Chapter 1.
P.S.
If it seems that something is missing…like the juicy details…they’re in the book. So purchase your copy today to read along with this blog. Most likely you’ll finish the book before the end of these 7-weeks—it’s a page turner (check out the reviews on Amazon).
Blessings of Purpose, A Novel: The Hang Suite 