All the Glory to God-Some updates and happenings-I'm publishing another book!

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

               Philippians 4:7

Hello lovely people. This post will be updates and happening.

I've struggled lately. Boy, I've struggled. I've been tired of fighting and I've longed for freedom. I had a long talk with God today...and He's transforming me into His peace. Teaching me how to live in it and walk in it. Because I didn't have a clue...

Jesus has stuck by my side though it all, He's healing and has healed me.

PRAISE. HIM.

God as been amazing to me in the aspect He chose me to write and share a powerful message to the world.

He chose me to write a book. A book called, Jesus, YOU MAKE THE DARKNESS tremble.

He's been ever so faithful through it all and I owe everything to Him.

The book releases August 20, ALL THE GLORY TO GOD!!

  

There is so much darkness in the world...from failed relationships to suicide and school shootings. But while it may seem we're drowning in darkness, there is still Hope. And that Hope is in Jesus Christ.

Jesus, YOU MAKE THE DARKNESS, tremble touches on many subjects...such as relationships, anxiety, depression, and judging. 

This book shows how every generation, young and old, can rise up and get back to being honorable men and women of God. It shows how, with Jesus, we can kick the devil back to where he came from.

Are you ready to start making some darkness tremble? Are you ready to make it vanish? 

Yes? Then let's go?

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If any bloggers are interested in helping me share the book after the release date contact me and I'll share with you more details!

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I love you all! 

God Bless!

~Beth~

Sunshine Blogger Award!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs. 17:22

Hello people! In case you forgot who I am and what this blog is...this blog is a life blog-blogged by Beth jane. I post a blog book here-which I haven't posted a part in quite a little while. But here I be with a blog tag!!

A HUGE thank you to Sarah Faith for nominating me for this tag!!! I've been wanting to blog again for awhile so you can thank her that I'm actually here tonight!!😊😊

Okay, here are the rules!

The rules for this tag: Thank the blogger who nominated you and link their blog. Answer the questions the blogger who nominated you provided (11 maximum). Nominate new bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer.

Okay now time to answer Sarah's questions!!!

1. Would you share your testimony of coming to Jesus?

Well I was always raised in a Christian home so I always new about Christ... but I got saved in 2010 and I really got serious about God in 2015-2016. Say 2016 for sure.

2. Favorite singer/band and song?

Well, I really like Britt Nicole (latest album preferably) and for King and Country? Has anyone heard their song "Pioneers?" So good! Favorite song... I'm not sure but I like "You Say" by Lauren Daigle right now!

3. Where would you like to see yourself in five years from now?

Hmm... healed...writing...singing more...traveling...YouTubing...at least two more nieces or nephews...and who knows married? I'm putting it in God's hand.

4. What about in 40 years...what do you see yourself doing?

Married, living out God's plan, being a good momma and wife...investing in my family and the lives of others.

5. What are the worst and best adventures you've been on?

Well I don't know if this is the best but going to see The Greatest Showman the day after Christmas was fun but just family times in general I enjoy so much!!!! And worst...any bad time.

'

6. What is a favorite memory of yours from early childhood?

Milking the cows with my brothers and sisters...playing with them. 

7. Best movie ever?

Hmm... Faith of our Fathers, Fireproof, War Room, RISEN, The Greatest Showman, The Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers...

8. Cake, cookies, or pie--or none of the above?

All of them! Sometimes I don't care for cake, but then sometimes I don't care for the others so....

9. What is your pet peeve?

Umm...maybe while I'm working and other people are sitting around....😒

10. What is your dream vacation?

Anyplace fun with my family, besides that-Paris!💙

11. How about ending with your favorite quote?

"You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know." William Wilberforce.

And as far as I know pretty much all the people I know have been tagged for this-so I'll just leave the questions below and if your interested you can do it!!!!😊😊 I just will use Sarah's questions!

1. Would you share your testimony of coming to Jesus?
2. Favorite singer/band and song?
3. Where would you like to see yourself in five years from now?
4. What about in 40 years...what do you see yourself doing?
5. What are the worst and best adventures you've been on?
6. What is a favorite memory of yours from early childhood?
7. Best movie ever?
8. Cake, cookies, or pie--or none of the above?
9. What is your pet peeve?
10. What is your dream vacation?
11. How about ending with your favorite quote?

Thanks again Sarah, for this tag!! It was fun!!

God Bless you all! And know God is a safe place for you. Don't struggle. He's peace💙💜

It's a Choice part 9!

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 6:19-20

Hello beautiful readers!! God is amazing and He loves you beyond measure! And no that no matter how difficult things are, He is your hope!!! 

Ahh! Our story is back!! I hope you enjoy this part of the story! And comment below your thoughts on any new character that may or may not appear in the story😉!!

Chapter 9

  Dawn was peeping into Lizzie’s bedroom as she grabbed her hat and gun-belt; she took one last look around her room to see if she had forgotten anything before exiting the room.

 She walked quietly down the hallway to her parent’s room. She could hear her momma in the kitchen making breakfast as she opened the door slowly.

 Her pa opened his eyes and smiled at his daughter.

 “Come on in, Liz.” He motioned with his left hand for her to come forward.

 She smiled tiredly as she came and sat in the chair by his bedside.

 “How are ya this mornin’, Pa?”

 He chuckled slightly then held his ribs from the effort. Lizzie winced. She hated seeing her pa hurt so bad.

 He took a deep breath before answering. “Well, I’ve been thrown off of horses; I’ve been stepped on, and even got shot once. But I have to say, this beats it all. But I’ll be okay. God saved me out there. It could have been a lot worse.”

 Lizzie lowered her head. “Yeah.”

 “Hey Liz, don’t blame yerself, honey. I can tell yer doin’ it.”

 Lizzie kept her head lowered. “Well, it’s my fault. If I hadn’t been such a baby about what happened with Sam-”

 “Honey, stop it. It’s not yer fault. They hurt you. And I knew it was hard fer ya to go to town. Families help each other like that. You needed some help and I gave it. That in no way makes this yer fault.” He was quiet for a moment before asking, “’Kay?”

 She looked up with a forced smile. She was fighting hard against the tears. “I’ll try to realize that.” Her voice was quiet.

 “Liz, yer ma and I really hate to ask ya to do this when yer havin’ such a ruff time, and since those girls hang around town and-”

 “It’s fine. Ya’ll need me and I-I can do this. At least I hope….”

 Again there was a moment of silence before pa spoke. “Liz, I see a warrior in you. A strong warrior. God is gonna use ya fer somethin’. I don’t know what it is. But I DO know that God is with you. Always, Liz. Keep yer eyes on Him during the storm. Don’t give up on waiting. Sometimes people give up right before the victory happens.”

 He chuckled. “You might think this sounds crazy but I think that God is gonna use you bein’ sheriff. I just feel it. Trust Him, baby, just trust Him.”

 Liz blinked, those words burning her heart.

 God must be at work. She felt Him telling her to take over as Sheriff, and now her pa was telling her this.

 Something was happening.

 “Thanks, pa. Really.”

 “Now, hon. There’s some things I’d like ya to know while bein’ sheriff. Always keep a calm head, always pray, and have patience to do the right thing.”

 She nodded, feeling a bit sick. But she didn’t know why. She wouldn’t have to do any actual sheriff stuff.

 He reached out his hand and she took it. He squeezed it. “Now, go on, honey. Go out there and do something great.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Lizzie walked into the sheriff’s office, confusion making her look around clueless.

 She closed the door and tripped over her own feet walking forward.

 She straightened and cleared her throat.

 She had been in this office hundreds of times. She had no reason to feel intimated.

 She stumbled over to the desk and sat behind it then pressed the bottom of her hands to the wooden surface.

 She had already gone and talked to the mayor, telling him pa gave her charge of the office. He stared at her like she was crazy.

 Lizzie looked around the quiet office. This was her job now. This was her reasonability

 Oh, stop it, Lizzie! It’s not like your sheriff!

 Lizzie’s mind took her to daydreaming for several minutes. Finally, she snapped out of it and pulled the paper her momma had given her from her pocket. Pa had told momma what to write on it. It was all the things she was supposed to do.

 First thing, she was supposed to walk around and make sure everything was going fine.

 She felt utterly silly to think of doing that.

 Everyone would for sure laugh-

  The door busted open and Mrs. Timpson from the boarding house busted in. Her face was sweaty and her apron dirty. It seemed especially dirty for only after 8 in the morning.  “SHERIFF!” She screamed. She looked at Lizzie with a frown. “Where’s the sheriff?!” She was hysterical.

 Lizzie slowly stood, knocking something off the desk as she did so. “I-I-I am the sheriff.” She fumbled to pick up the paper she had dropped while she spoke. She managed to get it back on the desk. “At least for the time being.”

 “Is this a joke?!” She stopped her foot. “I need your pa, young lady.”

 “He’s been in an-an accident. I’m in charge now. What-what’s the problem?”

 “Oh, my goodness! I heard you had taken over but I didn’t think for a moment it was real! Oh well, get your skinny self over to my boarding house! Sammy Johnson is sealing my apples again! I saw him run off in the back alley with a hat full of them.”

 Lizzie nodded and walked forward, but then came to a sudden stop. “What am I supposed to do?”

 She stopped her feet several more times. “Come get him! Chase him! Something! Get my apples back and make him stop being a little brat!” Her voice was in a screech.

 “Oh, yeah-right.” She moved forward and then tripped again. “I’m going.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Boy, was she mistaken when she thought she wouldn’t do anything as a sheriff. Sure, it wasn’t typically SHERIFF things but it was exhausting and time consuming.

 She had chased Sammy, only to have the apples he stole thrown at her. Two hit her in the head and a bruise was on her left temple.

 She had to go to the seamstress shop and get a big lab dog out of it. The dog was growling and scaring all the women, so they wouldn’t go near it.

 After that she had an hour break in her office to clean and sulk in her hurt before having to go chase Sammy again, only this time he stole bread. Even still he managed to throw rocks at her. She was sure her upper right arm was now bruised.

 Sammy got away and she went to go for his parents, but was interrupted by Mrs. Timpson screaming again. After running to the boarding house kitchen, she saw it was only a large black snake. She took care of the snake.

 Then she managed to go talk to Sammy’s parents: who seemed to be snooty toward the world and only focused on their farming.

 By the time she got back into town it was lunch time. The whole time she ate people stared and poked fun.

 Three times that afternoon Sammy stole more apples and bread, each time Lizzie chased him she got rocks and apples thrown at her.

 She was sure pa never mentioned doing this.
 It was 5 p.m. that found Lizzie Tyson walking in town to do her rounds before heading home.

 She was tired and just plain exhausted.

 She was heading towards the general store but thought she might pass out at what she saw. She stopped. There was Sam, Kora and of course… Tammy and Susan. They all stood by a bunch of large crates. Snickers drifted her way.

 Lizzie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She walked forward.

 “Well, hey there, Lizzie, got over me yet?” Sam laughed as she came to a stop in front of them.

 “Or are you gonna kick him out of town this time?” Kora said and the whole group laughed.

 Lizzie just blinked and went to walk forward. Sam held up his arm and stopped her.

 Lizzie closed her eyes. She was too tired for this. Too many things had been thrown at her already. She had sweated a lot today and her hair was a mess. She just wanted to lie on her bed, with the cool night air coming through her window, and go to sleep.

 She took a step back and looked at Sam. How could he do all this to her? “Please, I need to see to some things and get home. I’m very tired.”

 Sam chuckled. “Now, Liz dear, I think you’ve been ignoring me and shoving me out of yer life fer too long. Why don’t ya be nice to me?” He looked back at the girls. “Ladies, did I tell you about her kicking me out of her house?”

 “You did, but tell us again, Sam!” Kora waved her hand forward and laughed, holding her hand to her chest.

 Lizzie felt her heart breaking more and she felt like crying.

 “Now see here, I went to declare my affection, and my… undying love for this lady. And she spit. In. My. Face. She kicked me out of her house and said that wasn’t good enough for her. She had the nerve to say that to me.” Mocking gasp and then giggles erupted from his audience. “And then, her pa…” Sam looked at her and grinned. “Well, ya’ll know about that. But, but the VERY best part is: she said she wanted God to drop her man right at her doorstep!” They all bellowed into laughter. “Or-or maybe she wants God to drop him at her feet.” More laughs. She had to get out of here.

 Kora spoke again. “Or maybe… Lizzie dear needs to be dropped at his feet.” More loud, cruel laughs and then Sam reached forward and shoved her to the ground.

 She hit with a grunt, her eyes closed.

 Lizzie took a deep breath. She felt too weak to get up.

 But she opened her eyes, and blinked to clear her vision. Right in front of her face was a pair of black boots.

 A man stooped down and helped her stand up. As she stood she looked into his dark brown eyes.

 He let go of her once she was steady on her feet. His eyes look straight ahead to Sam.

 Who had grown quiet.

 Lizzie stared at the man in front of her. His skin was dark, a smooth brown. He wore black pants with a black gun belt. A six gun rested inside the belt with a white marble handle. His shirt was a dark blue and his sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows. He wore a bead necklace and also a black hat pulled down lower on his head.

 A vein in his neck was popping out… it looked like from anger. He was staring very determined at Sam.

 He walked forward and stood directly in front of him. It was a moment before he spoke. “Sir, my father always taught me that a woman was a special and priceless person. Something to treasure, protect. Not to push down to the ground.” He reared back and slammed his fist into Sam’s jaw.

 Sam flew back and the girls gasped.

 Sam shuffled around a bit before slowly standing. His side fell against one of the crates. He blinked and shook his head. A trail of blood made its way from his lip. He was breathing hard.

 The man stared hard. “Now, I trust you’re sorry and you’ll apologize to the lady.”

 The girl’s eyes held horror.

 The man still stared.

 Sam took some more breaths before saying, “I-I’m sorry.” His voice was low.

 Lizzie snapped out of her daze and nodded in acknowledgement.

 The man turned away from Sam.

 Kora rushed toward Sam. “Oh, Sam, let’s get you the doctor.” All the girls helped him walk toward the Doctor’s office.

 Her defender walked forward as they fussed over Sam and the man came to a stop in front of her. He took off his hat, revealing a head full of black hair. “I do hope your okay, ma’am?”

 Lizzie slowly nodded.

 He smiled. “Good. Do you need someone to walk you home?”

 She stared a moment. “Um… no.” She shook her head. “I’m-I’m fine.”

 He smiled again but his smile turned to back to stern when his eyes landed on the bruise on her temple. “Did he do that?”

 Lizzie frowned and then followed his gaze with her hand, lifting it up to her temple. She hurriedly explained. “No-no this wasn’t from that, it was from, well, never mind… but he didn’t do that.”

 His smile returned. “I’m so glad to hear.” He nodded his head. “Good day, ma’am.” He then walked past her to a big stallion waiting up the street.

 Lizzie turned away. A frown on her face. What had just happened? She was a little confused….

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul....

Liebster Award Blog Tag!

And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. Luke 24:36

Hello lovely readers! God is good and I hope you each know how much He loves you! He died for you so hey, that's incredible!

I know I've been absent from blogging for awhile, I've had friends over. Anywho It's a Choice Part 9 is wrote and is waiting for edits, then our story will once again be back! 

But today I have the honor of being tagged for the Liebster Award by Grace Notes, so thanks a million Grace! 

So before we get onto the questions I'll list the rules down below. (Copied from Grace's blog)

1 – Thank the blog that nominated you and include a Liebster Award graphic (I took mine from Alyssa’s blog).

2 – Answer the questions the blogger gave you.

3 – Share some random fun-facts about yourself.

4 – Nominate as many other blogs you can/want to, and inform them of the nomination.

5 – Give your nominees questions to answer (Anna gave 8 and Alyssa gave 11.  Aim for somewhere in there).

Okay now for the questions😊

1 – What is your favorite topic to blog about?

Anything that is really on my heart!

2 – Share a personal example of the evidence of God’s hand at work in your life (can be a recent example or something in the past).

Well with my recent process of publishing my book, through it all God told me to BELIEVE. Jesus helped me to, even when I doubted sometimes. And now that my book is out, I see the promise of believing coming true. People have told me how this book has impacted them, and the response was more than I expected. People have truly been wonderful and God... has been awesome!! All the Glory to Him!! 

3 – What is one random thing on your bucket list?

To jump into a pool fully clothed!

4 – What would be your favorite dinner + dessert menu?

I'm not sure so Pizza and cobbler!

5 – Which vacation would you choose: mountain cabin, beachfront cottage, amusement park, or a landmark that intrigues you?

Actually all sound fun!

 

6 – Describe yourself with five words.

I don't know how to do this one lol!

7 – What is your dream instrument?

Piano!

8 – Three Bible verses that are special to you?

2 Cor. 10:5, John 14:27, Psalm 3:3

9 – Fun inside joke?

It's will be a masterpiece. (It's a line from a TV show). I hope that counts as an inside joke!

10 – Favorite resource (book, blog, movie, etc.)?

Well besides the Bible... I like Isabella Morganthal books and Sadie Robertson!

Now here are some random fun facts about me!

1: I could eat a whole sleeve of saltine crackers.

2: I like space.

3:  A new (to me at least) movie I really like is RISEN.

4: Editing is my fav part of my Beth H. videos!

5: My favorite creamer is Caramel Macchiato.

6: Western fiction relatively easy to write for me.

Okay now for my tags and questions!

I tag Chloe at Here's Chlo

and Grace at Don't You Know That I'm Singing

And here are my questions:

1:What is your favorite book of the Bible?

2: What is your favorite story from the Bible? 

3: What's your favorite childhood memory?

4: What is your favorite movie?

5: What was/is your favorite subject in school?

6: Have you ever written a book?

7:What's your favorite novel and why?

8: What is something just wow God has done for you? 

I hope ya'll have enjoyed this post! 

God Bless you all!!

 

Save me, O God, by Thy name, and judge me by Thy strength.

Psalm 54:1

It's a Choice Pt. 8: Blog Book

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Galatians. 3:9

WOW!!!! ALL THE GLORY TO GOD!!! 

We're back!!! Thanks my dear readers for being so patient while I worked on the SHIELD series! Anyways I hope you're as glad as I am to have our story back!

I hope and pray this part blesses you! And I hope you enjoy it!!! 

SO.... without further ado!! Let's get into what I hope you think is an exciting part!!

Here's goes... and praise God!

Chapter 8

   2 weeks later.

   It was early morning as Lexie led her horse out of the corral. The fog surrounding her fit her dark mood.

 Should I be going? Is this right? I have to avenge pa. I can’t stay imprisoned the rest of my life. I have to be free!

 Lexie shook her head; she had been through all this all night long. Her nap sack was packed, her horse saddled and ready to go. Nothing was stopping her now.

 She put her foot in the stirrup and paused as her eyes made their way to Jake standing on the porch. His eyes held longing as he leaned his side against the porch’s post. Everything about him was screaming, Don’t do it Lexie.

 She gritted her teeth as she swung her weight into the saddle. Clyde and Tim moved forward and she followed.

 Turning her back on the cold place she had grown to hate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Lizzie flew of the ole black stallion again. Her face was red with irritation as she sat up and glared at the horse prancing around.

 This was not the day she needed him throwing her around.

 She had been thrown around enough.

 With a growl and kick of frustration, Lizzie exited the corral. She couldn’t deal with this horse today. The love-hate relationship she held with this animal was all hate today.

 Due to her hurt in town.

 She sat down in a sigh of defeat on the top of the porch stairs. She felt like crying again. But she didn’t. She didn’t go there.

 Why were people so mean? Why did Sam lie? Why was her waiting suddenly becoming so hard?

 She squeezed her eyes shut and folded her arms over the tops of her knees, then buried her head in them.

 She sat there a long moment.

 Then she felt a warm hand on her shoulder; she looked up and her red eyes met Ben’s kind ones.

 “You okay, Liz?” His voice was quiet.
 She shook her head. “No. But I’ll get there.”

 Ben was quiet for a moment and they both stared over their yard.

 “It won’t be easy to love those who have hurt you. And sometimes the waiting ain’t easy. But God says to do both. Do you know that verse in Psalm, chapter 130: 5, it’s says, I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. Waiting will be worth it, Lexie. It’s okay to cry out to the Lord, to tell Him about your hurt.” Ben reached in His pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He handed it to her. “Read those, Lexie. And remember, I’m here for you.” He then put his arm around her shoulder.

 Her lip quivered and a gasp escaped her lips. She leaned her head on her brother’s shoulder as the sobs took over her body.

 …In His word do I hope….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Clyde pulled his horse to a stop as did the rest of the group. Lexie’s hands were shaky as she pulled her reigns back. She knew Clyde’s stopping had something to do with her. She wondered why he even let her come along in the first place. That was the strange part. About two days ago he quit arguing with her about going.

 She was probably about to be shot out of her saddle.

 Clyde pulled his horse around to face her, a smirk look to his eyes.

 “So, you wanna be an outlaw, and you wanna run ‘round with us?”

 Those words pinched her heart. Stop it Lexie, this is what you want.

 She simply nodded.

 “And shoot and rob and do all the things outlaws do?”

 She swallowed hard before nodding again.

 Clyde nodded, an evil look on his face. “’Kay. You can.”

 Lexie’s throat was dry. She quickly glanced over at Tim, who was looking down.

 What was going on?

 “If you kill the Marshal, you can come along.”

 Lexie just stared at him. She had never even come close to killing before. She sorta figured Clyde would want to do it.

 “You pull the trigger, and YOU kill him. If you do it, you’re in the gang.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Lizzie pulled her brown horse to a stop in a lush, green field. The wind was blowing and causing her curly hair to fly around everywhere.

 She slide off the mount and only took a few steps before falling on her knees.

 Her screams were loud as she looked up and screamed to heaven, letting some of her hurt and frustration pour out to God.

 She cried for a long time. Not even speaking. Just crying it all out. She slowly lay down on her side in the field, still crying in pain. She felt so hurt and betrayed. She felt that waiting had betrayed her.

 She didn’t even remember falling asleep as she laid there. But before she knew it she was being startled awake by her name being screamed.

 She sat up quickly and blinked her eyes.

 James pulled his horse to a stop. “You better come; pa’s had a bad accident!” He turned his horse around quickly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Lizzie fumbled her hands together as she waited with the rest of her siblings in the kitchen. She stood with her foot propped in a chair.

 Each of them had worry on their faces and prayers in their hearts for their father.

 Lizzie felt guilt plaguing her stomach. Pa had gone to town to get some extra supplies they needed. He had gone because Lizzie didn’t want to have to go because of the Sam incident.

 James had said the wagon had turned over coming back from town. Something must have been loose, or something….

 James said he was unconscious when he was found. And he was bleeding on the head and leg.

 The door to her parents’ bedroom opened and they heard footsteps coming into the kitchen.

 The doctor had his black hat and bag in hand. He smiled at their anxious faces. “Children, I’ll let your momma tell you all about it.”

 “Thank you, Doctor Smith.” Mrs. Tyson smiled.

 He nodded and patted her shoulder. “I’ll see myself out.” With that He walked out.

 Momma took a deep breath as she faced her family. “He’ll be fine. He had a concussion, five broken ribs, and a broken leg and arm. So he’ll be laid up for awhile.” She sighed in relief. “But he’ll be fine. Thank God.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 The fire was cracking and orange was reflecting on her face from it.

 Lexie felt confused.

 Could she kill?

 She thought she could, but now….

 Why was Clyde even giving her the option?
 Because He knew she couldn’t do it.

 Or could she?

 Lexie turned over on her side. She couldn’t go back. But she couldn’t kill the Marshal herself. It was one thing to ride along and help with things like that but to actually be the one that did them….

 Lexie took a deep breath and scanned over their camp sight. Her brothers were lying on the other side of the fire.

 Her life had gotten so complicated since ma died. Or maybe… it got complicated since she was torn from her sister’s arms so long ago.

 Ma….

 She had been good to Lexie. She loved her.

 But it still wasn’t much of a life. She had thought it was but it wasn’t….

 Pa was right. It was best ma had died and escaped this misery.

 Lexie blinked. Feeling somewhat emotional.  She wondered what it would be like had she never been separated from Lizzie. She might have had a nice life if Liz was along to help make it better.

 A single tear fell from her tired eyes.

 She didn’t even know where her sister was. She was probably married with three kids.

 Lexie had never even hardly seen boys. And they’d never even liked her.

 Lexie realized something in that moment. She was mad at her sister.

 Truly mad at her.

 Lizzie had always protected her. Always took care of her.

 Why had she let her be taken away?

 Lexie burst into sobs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 All the Tyson children were in bed and Lizzie sat alone on the sofa in the sitting room.

 The room was dim with only a few lanterns lit.

 Lizzie felt overwhelmed and exhausted with the day. She had hurt so much today. And she had hurt even more with her pa’s accident.

 She felt like it was her fault. If she wasn’t still nursing her wounds she could have gone into town. It could have been her inside of her pa.

 She felt so guilty. She knew she was guilty.

 Instead of crying again, like she so desperately wanted to do, she reached into her pant pocket and pulled out the note from her brother.

 It had four verses on it. Lizzie went to reach for her Bible when the disturbed voice of her father caught her attention. She slipped the small paper back into her pocket and stood to go to her parents.

 “…. It’s okay. We’ll figure something out.” Her momma reassured.

 Lizzie walked in the room. Momma stood by her pa’s beside.

 Pa’s look was very disturbed.

 “What-what’s wrong?” Her eyes squinted from tiredness. Emotionally and physically.

 “Your pa’s worried about the sheriff’s office. With everyone being gone for round-up there is no one to take over while he’s laid up.”

 “What about the boys?”

 “I told him Ben could look after things but he says he needs Ben to work with our cows.”

 “Well, there’s got to be someone….”

 Her momma sighed and folded her arms. “I know. We’ve thought and thought but can’t seem to find anyone-” Momma raised one eyebrows and looked over at Lizzie. “What about you?”

 Pa’s eyes grew wide. “Lizzie can’t do that! I’m not sending my daughter to go take over as being sheriff.”

 Lizzie just remained silent. Her eyes had gotten wider. She couldn’t imagine being sheriff either. That was quite ridiculous.

 “Oh, she wouldn’t be sheriff. At least not in the sense of fighting criminals. She could stay at the office. Keep it clean. Collect the mail. And if anyone comes in with something she can always go get one of the men from round-up. Which nothing should come up. Things have been quiet for a long time. All the men are gone so that should take care of the saloon wildness.”

 Pa cast glances between daughter and wife. His eyes held worry and his face held a frown.

 “Clay, you don’t have a choice. Lizzie will be fine. She has a decent head on her shoulders. And she does know how to use a gun and take care of herself.” Momma looked at her. “But, of course, this is just if Lizzie wants to take over.”

 There was silence for a moment. Lizzie’s heart pounded in her chest.

 Pa looked at her, his eyes having softened a little and his frown having lessened. “Liz, do you want to take over, like your momma says?”

 Lizzie looked between them. Her thoughts running rapid.

 She wasn’t capable of being sheriff. Even if it was just collecting mail and cleaning. The thought terrified her. She just couldn’t.

 And she’d have to be in town. Oh, boy. That was just what she needed.

 But being scared to face town was what put pa in bed right now, with bruises all over him and splints on his left leg and right arm. He was in so much pain.

 Maybe she owed it to him.

 But she didn’t measure up….

 Through all her confusing thoughts she felt a Still and Small Voice break through and whisper to her heart. Do it.

 She felt scared still but she couldn’t deny what she knew in her heart: she was being told to do.

 “I’ll… Okay. I’ll do it.”

 She didn’t know how she was going to do it. Or what lie ahead. But she just knew she had to do it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lexie felt like she’d vomit as they rode closer to town. It was 8AM in the morning. Instead of going in at night Clyde had said they had to wait. They had to do their revenging in broad daylight.

 Lexie just knew she couldn’t do it. Clyde would have to and she would be on her own. If he or the towns people didn’t kill her first.

 They all pulled their horses to a stop on the outskirts of town.

 “Okay, Lexie. This is it. Ya gonna be able to do it? Remember: if ya do, yer in.”

 Lexie swallowed but her mouth was dry. She stared straight at the town ahead. She was breathing heavily.

 This was it. She had to decide.

 But she was so hurt and confused. She didn’t know what to do. She felt bitter and loving all at the same time.

 She didn’t know which would prevail.

 “Come on, stupid. We’ve got to go. Our pa’s demanding revenge from his grave. We’ve got to satisfy him so he can rest easy.”

 Lexie felt like she would explode from thoughts. Her heartbeat grew louder in her ears.

 “Sure.” Her voice was hoarse. So hoarse.

 Clyde chuckled. “Okay, let’s go then.”

 Then they moved their horses forward.

 They rode into town.

 Lexie felt like hours passed as they made the small walk with their horses. She felt she might pass out right from the saddle.

 Slowly the town’s people started to stare.

 I can’t do this! I can’t do this!

 They stopped their horses.

 She could see the Marshal slowly walking towards them on the right sidewalk. He walked slowly, his eyes held curiosity; his hand was on his gun. He probably wasn’t sure it was them or he would have pulled his gun by now.

 “Ya better nail ‘em now, Lex. He’ll get us.”

 Lexie couldn’t move.

 “Now, Lex, you stupid thing.”

 He had killed her pa. He deserved to die.

 “Now, Lexie. This is yer last chance.”

 Tim looked nervously at them.

 He was nearing closer.

 And she knew Clyde was going for his gun.

 The trees flashed through her head. Her being jerked from his sister blazed across her brain. Her pa dying. Her burying her ma.

 Her time was out. She had to decide.

 “Ya… show ‘em.”

 Lexie quickly reached for her side and drew her gun. She fired. He fell back. Blood flying from him.

 Something cold went off inside her.

 Her eyes were wide as she still pointed the gun, smoke curling from the barrel.

 “Let’s get out of here!”

 Clyde shouted and Tim and he spun their horses around.

 Lexie remained in the same position. Breathing deeply.

 The town was chaotic and men were pulling their guns.

 She snapped out of her daze and quickly holstered her murder weapon.

 She turned her horse around and kicked his sides. She sped away as bullets flew after her.

 But she could outrun them. Couldn’t she?

What do you think is going to happen next? Will Lexie continue with crime? Will Lizzie keep waiting and find healing and forgiveness in Christ? Will she be able to handle being substitute sheriff?

Comment below and God Bless!

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 

       Galatians. 3:11