Read Online Count It All Joy by Ashea S. Goldson - Free Book Online

the two of you.” She rubbed her diamond-clad hands together.
    Joshua shook his head frantically. “Mother, I—”
    â€œNow just hold on. Since you obviously have made up your mind that you want to start a little ministry of your own, and that’s okay too ...” Dressed in an all-white wool pantsuit with three-quarter length sleeves, Mother Benning fondled an eye-catching diamond bracelet as she spoke.
    Joshua sighed. “Nice of you to acknowledge that.”
    She took a deep breath. “Anyway, your father and I could help you with that. We could—”
    â€œOh no. You can’t buy me, Mother.”
    â€œReally? Weren’t we funding your little international adoption venture? I didn’t hear any complaints about that.”
    â€œThat’s different. That’s not a venture. It’s a child’s life, a human soul,” Joshua said.
    â€œWell, this is your father’s life and our life together. Don’t you care about that?”
    â€œOf course, I care, but I’ve explained to you before what I’ve been called to do. It’s been clear for a while now.”
    â€œOh, I know. I know. That’s your calling, you say, to be a little minister in a little local church, to tear down the walls of hypocrisy ...” Mother Benning threw her slim arm into the air. “I’ve heard it all before.”
    â€œRight.” Joshua sighed. “I want to build my church from the ground up. That’s what God told me to do.”
    â€œIt’s very commendable, son, but not very realistic. Can’t you see how desperate we are?
    We didn’t expect your father to retire so soon. Can’t you do both? I mean, have your little church and run Kingdom House at the same time?”
    â€œMother, please,” Joshua started.
    Mother Benning continued. “I can get people to help you, to volunteer, of course, and then you’d be free to—”
    Joshua sighed and rubbed his forehead. “To do what it is you and Dad want me to do?”
    â€œYes, I’m afraid so,” Mother Benning said.
    â€œI’m sorry. I can’t do both. I can help out, but I’ve got to stay true to the vision that’s in my heart.”
    Mother Benning poked out her full lips. “Does that vision include your little international adoption?”
    I immediately remembered the day Joshua told her that we wanted to adopt Kiano.
    Since Joshua was still paying for school along with mounds of debt accumulated by his deceased wife, Mother Benning knew he wouldn’t have the extra money necessary to pay all the expensive legal fees. So she stood up boldly and volunteered to help with the cause, saying she’d love to have an addition to the family. She said Lilah would enjoy having a big brother, and that being a grandmother was the best job in the world. Apparently not. All her words—lies—swirled around in my head.
    Joshua looked her directly in the eyes. “What are you saying?”
    â€œI’m saying that if you won’t take over for your father, we’ll have to hire someone else,and then I’ll be forced to withdraw my financial support for your Kenya project.”
    â€œMother, you wouldn’t.” Joshua put his hands on top of his head.
    Mother Benning took out her checkbook and waved it around in his face. “I would. I’ll do what I’ve got to do.”
    â€œI thought this was about doing God’s will,” Joshua said.
    â€œDon’t tell me about God’s will. Was it God’s will for your father to fall sick like this? Was it God’s will for me to miscarry what would’ve been your older brother? Maybe he would’ve been the one to be concerned about his father.”
    Joshua looked like he was choking. “Don’t do this.” “I’m just protecting my husband’s legacy.” Mother Benning didn’t hesitate.
    â€œThis is blackmail,”