Redeeming Heart Read Free

bolting from the moving vehicle. “Ah, as a matter of
fact, I do.” He avoided church whenever possible, even those that
sponsored soup kitchens. Church had not been a good fit with his
past lifestyle. Landon had been preached to and counseled his
entire life. He knew scriptures he didn’t want to know and couldn’t
shake.
    When Octavia blasted the radio, Landon was
relieved it wasn’t gospel music. Coming from a family of musicians,
he could play most songs by ear, but he was tired of playing
church—inside and outside. Been there and done that. He was free,
but destitute.
    He eyed Octavia again. Who was this fearless
woman who seemed relaxed with a stranger in her car? He could be a
felon—or worse, a rapist. “You know, you really shouldn’t pick up
strangers.”
    “Yeah. I’m thinking the same thing, too.” She
tapped a finger on the steering wheel. “But I have mace.”
    Great. He was being kidnapped by a crazy
woman. Now it was time to pray, he thought as he looked out the
window from inside the air-conditioned car. It might be hot and
humid outside, but at least he had a choice in where he roamed,
which was in the opposite direction of a church where he had failed
God, himself and four others who needed him.
     
    ***
     
    Octavia regulated her breathing to come off as
confident in her actions and not crazy to give a man who she knew
nothing about a ride…and to church of all places!
    God was definitely working in mysterious
ways. As soon as Octavia saw the vagabond’s face, he seemed
familiar, then his name rolled off her tongue as if she really knew
the man. She didn’t. That’s when God brought the two instances she
had seen Landon to mind. Both times, God instructed her to pray for
him. She had without giving much thought to it. Plus, Landon had
never exchanged more than a “thank you” with her. Octavia knew his
name after overhearing another man say it and she thought it was
different.
    Do not be afraid. Jesus’ voice was
soothing and reassuring as the police was about to take Landon into
custody . Take him with you.
    Octavia relaxed at first, but had almost
choked on air when the Lord whispered the last part. Once she was
in the house to secure the property, she questioned God.
    You are serving My purpose. He’s My lost
sheep. I will perfect the work I began in Landon until the day I
return, God said, quoting Philippians 1:6.
    And what did that have to do with her?
Octavia needed more time for clarification to God’s purpose, but
she didn’t think the officers and Landon would appreciate standing
in the hot sun while she had an impromptu prayer meeting, so she
had to take God at His Word. Plus, Landon hadn’t committed a
crime—well, besides breaking and entering.
    She wished God had let her in on His plan
before she had hysterically texted her broker who rented her office
space and who acted like Octavia’s mother hen; Octavia’s mother had
been deceased for years, but Terri Mack was barely six years older
than her.
    Now, Octavia’s feigned calm demeanor had
Terri frantic and flustered as she rambled off crime stats. She
would deal with her friend later about the perception that all
homeless people were unstable.
    “I’m harmless,” Landon broke into her reverie
as if he were picking up on her uncertainty. Maybe the gnawing on
her lip gloss was the giveaway.
    Believe him, God spoke.
    Octavia’s amusement was a sham as she put on
a brave persona. “And I’m a safe driver. You believe that?” she
teased as she jammed on her brakes at a stop sign.
    This time, she laughed in earnest. The
snapshot of dread on Landon’s face was priceless—the payback for
him scaring her. He braced his large hands pushed against the
dashboard as his tall frame seemed to prepare for impact. It was
comical. Octavia was an attentive driver—no tickets to date. Of
course she wasn’t usually as distracted as she was at the
present.
    Landon was a minor distraction. She didn’t
have to stare at his long