Duncan - The David Years

The David Years

Lillian Duncan

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

The David Years

COPYRIGHT 2019 by Lillian Duncan

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (R), NIV (R), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

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Publishing History

First Harbourlight Edition, 2019

Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-5223-0220-9

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

This and all I do is for God's Glory.

Books by Lillian Duncan

Sisters by Choice Series

Betrayed

Redemption

Deadly Communications Series

Deadly Communications

Deadly Intent

Deadly Silence

Standalone Stories

Pursued

Game On

Broken Trust

Trapped

Puzzle House

Puzzle House

The David Years (Aug 2019)

Christmas Holiday Extravaganza

The Christmas Stalking

No Home for the Holidays

A Christmas Stolen

Do you want to be a healer? Rachels words echoed in Nias mind. The thought of helping others the way Rachel had helped her had seemed impossible until Gods presence filled the room. At the time, it had been amazingmiraculous. But now she was confusedand scared. No way could she do what Rachel did. She was only fifteen. How would she heal anyone?

So what am I sposed to do now?

Aunt Margaretta shrugged. I have no idea, sweetie, but Im sure youll figure it out.

I need Rachel. To help me. To explain to me what to do. To teach me. Just saying Rachels name brought fresh tears to her eyes. At Rachels funeral, she thought shed cried out every last tear. I cant do this by myself. I dont know why God took her from me just when I need her the most.

Not true. You need God the most.

Now you sound just like Rachel, Auntie.

Good. She was a godly woman. I could do lots worse than model myself after her.

Maybe thats what I should do? Model myself after Rachel?

I dont think thats a good idea, Nia. God didnt choose you because you were like Rachel. In fact, in many ways youre quite the opposite of Rachel. He chose you because youre Nia.

Im not so sure about that, Auntie.

I am. God knows what hes doing.

You just said she was a godly woman, and look at all she accomplished. All those people God healed through her. She built Puzzle House. Ill just copy Rachels life, and then Ill become the healer she thinksthought I could be.

I dont think it works that way, sweetie. Thats not something you can orchestrate.

We could move to Puzzle House right now and Ill start. Ill teach people what she taught me. Would you come with me if I did that?

Auntie closed her eyes. Was she praying? Thinking? Listening to God? She opened her eyes and picked up her suitcase. Of course, I would go with you. But first, lets put these away. Ill cook something for us to eat.

Only a month ago, Auntie would have put Nias things away as well. But God had healed her cancer. Grabbing her suitcase, Nia hauled it into her room then tossed it on the bed. The last time shed been in this room, shed just been hoping to survive cancer. God had not only healed her but chosen her to be a healer.

The doctors had told her there was nothing more they could do, but Auntie wasnt about to give up. Shed takenno forcedNia to go to Puzzle House.

Nia looked down, remembering the warmth, the tingling as Rachel held her hands and prayed with her. God had been in that room with them. God had given her the gift of healing. Tears filled her eyes again, not sad ones for Rachel but desperate ones because she didnt know what to do. God, I believe You gave me that gift. I felt You in that room with us, but I dont know what to do. IIdont want to disappoint You or make You mad at me. I dont know why You would pick me. There are people out there who are a lot smarter than me who could do a better job. She sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Im so confused.

Her aunt knocked on the door. Whatd you do? Fall asleep?

No. Just thinking.

Well enough of that. Get yourself out here.

Yes, maam.

Her aunt was at the stove when Nia got to the kitchen. Whats for supper?

Spaghetti. Ill have to go to the grocery store tomorrow after work. She tossed the frozen glob of meat into a pan. A few moments later, it was sizzling.

You want me to do something?

Theres nothing for you to do. She pointed at the mail tossed on the table. Theres a letter for you.

For me?

Its from Rachel. She must have sent itbefore. Or maybe Cooper sent it for her.

I dont know if I want to read it right now.

Up to you, sweetie.

Ill read it later. The more I think about all thisI dont think I can do it by myself.

You dont have to do it by yourself, Nia. Rachel said puzzles are meant to be done together. Thats true for life as well. Things go much better when you connect with others.

Butcan you imagine what people would say if I tell them God picked me to be a healer? Theyll think Im crazy.

God will put the right people in your life at the right time just the way He did with Rachel in the hospital that day. Puzzles are meant to be done one piece at a time so you cant worry yourself into a frazzle thinking about the future.

I guess.

All you have to do is live out the next piece of the puzzle. Have you ever heard of King David from the Bible?

Maybe.

Go ahead and put the spaghetti in the boiling water. Make sure you separate it.

Yes, maam. Nia tossed in half the box and picked up a fork.

Well youve heard of David and Goliath, right?

Yeah.

That David became King David and did all sorts of amazing things for God. Anyway, when David was a young boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him as the next king of Israel.

Oh, I didnt know kings were appointed.

Not appointed. Anointed. It means chosen by God for a special job. Just as youve been anointed to become a healer. Anyway, Samuel was Gods spokesman, so it was really God who anointed David as the next King of Israel. Just as Rachel anointed you to be a healer, but it was with Gods blessing.

Nia twirled the cooking spaghetti.

Anyway, there were a lot of years between the time David was anointed as the king and he actually became the king. David was tested many times during those years. Those years were very important to Davids growth as a man so that he would be the king God wanted him to be when the time was right.