Sheila Raye Charles - Behind the Shades: Hope Beyond Darkness

To me, life consists of three phases. Learning who we are, learning about what we think we need in life, and finally, giving it all back. Sometimes life even seems unfair. Its not about the cards we are dealt in life but rather how we play our hand. Sheila Raye, you are the Royal Flush of all hands possible, and you give it all back in this amazing recollection of a tough hand gone good. Behind the Shades: Hope Beyond the Darkness is a must-read for anyone who feels alone, ashamed, and lonely for the journey traveled; it will bless those who want to feel the power and love of GOD as well as come to know God as their own source of power.

Love you, sister Sheila. Thank you for sharing... many will convert their house to a Full House as a result of this account.

PAT MELFI, FOUNDER AND CEO
OF MUZART WORLD FOUNDATION

Sheila Raye Charles is an outstanding talent and inspiration! From the first time I spoke with her, I found Ms. Charles to be sincere, driven, supportive, giving, and incredibly loving of humanity. Ms. Charles has an amazing story of hope to share that will inspire and motivate everyone she meets. She has touched my life, and I am proud to know her and call her friend.

JOSIE PASSANTINO, HOST OF
THE JOSIE SHOW , WWW.JOSIESHOW.COM

Sheila Raye Charles is a powerhouse vocalist, a lantern of light, and an inspiration of hope. She has the ability to stand among the weak and spread the word of the Gospel, to lift those broken and help them stand in awe of what God can do. It is a gift she humbly wears, knowing she was handpicked by God to spread the message of love, hope, faith, and charity among all human life. She has truly been the "RAYE" of hope in mine. Those blessed by her presence will leave knowing she was truly touched by God! Sheilas journey and testimony will certainly bless you and those who read about the amazing grace of our Lord and Savior.

MILLIEA TAYLOR MCKINNEY, AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER AND CEO OF CONSCIOUS MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Listen to Sheila Raye; she knows what shes talking about.

JOHN LEGEND, NINE-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER AND RECIPIENT OF STARLIGHT AWARD FROM THE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

B EHIND THE S HADES

H OPE B EYOND THE D ARKNESS

S HEILA R AYE C HARLES

&

G LENN S WANSON

An Imprint of Libertary

COPYRIGHT 2013 SHEILA RAYE CHARLES

AND GLENN SWANSON

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License .

Attribution You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

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Cover Design by Greg Simanson

Proofread by Thomas Dean

Interior Photographs Kevin McClellan

Back Cover Photograph Doug Bryant

PRINT ISBN 978-1-62015-162-4

EPUB ISBN 978-1-62015-258-4

For further information regarding permissions, please contact info@booktrope.com.

Library of Congress Number: 2013913876

Editor, Joel Swanson

A special thanks to tireless effort

and burning the candle

A grateful acknowledgement and remembrance of

Wayne Swanson

(19542001)

For his writing efforts and assistance with Sandra Betts and her manuscript of Behind the Shades contained herein. His brilliant light is remembered with the greatest of love.

A special thank you to

Sole Soul Publishing

for the permission to print

excerpts from shoes on the table

2007 Glenn Swanson/

Sole Soul Publishing

solesoul.net

To my mother, Sandra Betts

Your greatness gave me hope

Your passion gave me knowledge

And your pain gave me love

To my father, Ray Charles Robinson

Your absence has made me strong

Your wisdom will never die

And your legacy paved the way

To my children, Jeanna, Jaymi, Kevin, Alicia, Jonnica:

There are no words to describe what is in my heart, so I will have to go forth with what I have from my limited catalog of words.

First and foremost, I love you all very much! Though my history would reflect something different, I solemnly promise my actions were never from any lack of love for you. I had truly lost love for myself. In a pool of lies, deceit, drugs, and more drugs, I was caught in a spiral that led to a place from which I thought there was no return, away from Gods true intent for me. I wish I could have been a better mother to all of you. I can only pray Gods healing love is where you find peace. My heart aches with an indescribable yearning for your presence in my life. The Bible says God will restore what the locust destroyed. I know this to be true, for he has blessed my life with all of you. Gods perfect gift to us is that we are connected in spirit, and that may never be severed.

To apologize to you or say sorry just isnt enough, and by no means will I insult you by saying it. However, if I could take back every hour, minute, or second of pain caused by my afflictions, I would replace them with joy, love, and peace.

Kevin, Alicia, and Jonnica: because of your age, it may be some time before you read this, but I believe without question, we will be together again. I miss you. I know Gods hand is on you. I thank God for your life daily.

Jaymi, Bubbling Brown Sugar, my precious child: it was prophesized you would be a huge part of carrying on your grandfathers musical legacy and the one I am attempting to create.

Jeanna-Bear, my rock, my angel, and my first-born; I believe your prayers were of the greatest powers spiritually for my return. You never stopped believing in me. I loves ya, girl! I hope when you read this book, it will further fill your heart, mind, body, and spirit with the deepest understanding of Gods greatness. His love is unchanging, never-ending, and always forgiving. And for this purpose, I was born.

A prayer of Gods blessings on all of you.

Love,

Your Mom

Matt and Becky:

God sent you to us as but a boy, and what a great man you grew up to be. I know God makes no mistakes. I am so grateful for the love, security, and hope you and Becky were willing and able to give our children. I pray for the day we come back full circle in our relationship.

Thank you so much! How I love you so. Always have, always will.

Sheila

To my brother Kevin:

Bro, weve made it through the fire. Dont you feel like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Whew, Gods sooo good. The Three Musketeers: Mom, you, and me. Well, we always said we wanted to get caught up in the rapture together. You know Sandy, always jumping the gun! Im so glad God put us together here on earth. You da man!

Love you always, your sis

Sheila

Patty Cakes Maltz:

Girl, you have hung with this crazy chick through thick and thin, sick and sin. Talk about a true blessing from God. Im proud to be able to say youre my friend.

I love you

Sheila

Glenn Swanson:

From out of the basement, from the depths of Hell, your love has continually been without fail. When I think of Jesus and his walk here on earth, I think of you. If there is anyone who walks in the path of love such as Christ, it is surely you. I am who I am today in part because of your much-shared wisdom and undying, unconditional love.