Ezekiel and Isaiah

Once there were two boys, Ezekiel and Isaiah.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel was a beautiful little baby with brown eyes. One day, when he was in his crib, Uncle Ty said, I wonder what he will grow up to be.

When he was five, Uncle Dave said to him, "Hey, Zeke, what do you want to be when you grow up?" "I want to be Superman!" said little Ezekiel. "Superman ain't real, Zeke. You gotta pick somethin' else." "Why?" "Ain't no heroes in this world, Zeke. You gotta fend for yourself. It's a hard world out there, so always, always watch your back." "OK Uncle Dave," said Ezekiel.

One night, when Ezekiel was 7, he lay in bed, listening to Dad and Mama arguing in the kitchen. "What do you mean you lost? You done gambled away all our savings?" "Baby, I know I can win it back. Just lend me a couple bucks." "Don't you start with me Rayquan. I worked hard for that money." "Woman, why you always standing in my way? You never help me with nothing." "You are a disgrace, Rayquan. A disgrace." "Naw, you don't talk to me like that, woman." Dad's tone was menacing. "You heard what I said!" Mama shot back. Ezekiel lay paralyzed, listening to the scuffle. "Get out Rayquan!" "I ain't leaving!" Ezekiel could hear the blow as Dad hit Mama in the face. He heard Mama crumple to the floor. "Aww, shit," said Dad. The door closed behind him as he left.

When Ezekiel was 14, Tyson said, "Hey Z, look at this." He pointed to a purple handkerchief hanging out of his pocket. "I got in." "Shut up man, you ain't no gangster," said Ezekiel. "Dawson said he wants you to come chill with us," said Tyson. "Who, me? How he know me?" "I told him all about you, dude. He says he wants to meet you." This is my moment, thought Ezekiel. "Aight," he said. "I guess I'll come."

"Everyone done did it already Z," said Dawson. "You gonna be born again." "I just don't know," said Ezekiel, looking at the floor. "Look Z, you want respect, you gotta earn it. You want power, you gotta take it. Ain't nobody gonna give you nothing in this world unless you take it for yourself." Dawson looked him in the eye. "Ain't nobody gonna miss that nigger anyways," he said, handing him the pistol.

When Ezekiel was 16, he met Latika. She had smooth, caramel skin and deep, black eyes. Her beauty was like an aura around her, and she was gentle. "Latika, you make me glad to be alive," said Ezekiel. "You make me happy, too, Z," she said, gazing up at him with her starry eyes. "That's why you my girl." She giggled. "My mama says you should come to church with us." "Whatever makes you happy," said Ezekiel.

"And the Word of God says," called Bishop Jeffries, "that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered." "Amen," everyone said. "Whosoever!" "Yes," said the church. "Shall call," he raised his finger in the air. "Upon the name of the Lord-- shall be delivered!" "Yes!" Latika's mom was on her feet clapping. Ezekiel felt uncomfortable. "There is someone here," said Bishop Jeffries suddenly. "Someone, who is perishing in their sins." He paused, and a hush fell upon the church. "There is someone here, oh yes, I feel it in my spirit." He looked around the church. "You are saying to yourself, 'I am too far from God.'" "Oh no, mm-mm," a few answered. "Someone! Is saying to themselves, God has forgotten me." "No, no!" said the church. "Someone is saying! I cannot be forgiven for what I have done." Ezekiel shrunk down in the pew. "What's wrong Z?" whispered Latika. "When's this gonna end?" whispered Ezekiel.

When he was 17, everyone was fighting. "Get down, y'all!" said Tyson. The shots rang out from across the street as they ducked behind a car. "Shit!" said Tyson. Suddenly Denny's Suburu sped down the street with the window down. The Uzi roared at the enemy and the wheels squealed as the car banked around the corner. The street was eerily silent. Latika was curled up in a ball on the street, sobbing. Tyson breathed a sigh of relief. "Damn dude, that was close." Suddenly, a man stepped over them from around the car. He pointed his pistol at Tyson's head and pulled the trigger. The blast from the pistol shook Ezekiel's bones. "This your ho, ain't it?" said Garrett. Latika picked her head up from the ground and looked up at Garrett. "No!" she said. But Garrett discharged two rounds into Latika's head, too. He said, "Tell Dawson I said what's up." and walked off.

Dawson and Ezekiel rode in silence as they cruised through the neighborhood, gripping their weapons. "We gonna find him, Z." Ezekiel didn't answer. He sat still and expressionless, scanning the sidewalks. Suddenly, a figure appeared coming around a corner, wearing a Chicago Bulls jacket. "That's him!" said Dawson. "Blast him!" Ezekiel's blood went cold. He stuck the shotgun out the window and aimed it at Garrett. Garrett stopped, frozen in his tracks.

Suddenly, he felt a Presence in the car. He felt arms around him, holding him, and a breeze blowing across his face. Then he heard a voice. "Ezekiel." The Presence gripped him, and chills ran up his spine. He blacked out and saw a vision. He saw Jesus, nailed to the cross. Jesus looked him in the eyes. "Ezekiel," he said. Suddenly he was back in the car. Garrett was running down the street and turned the corner. "What the hell is wrong with you dude?" exploded Dawson. He turned the corner and stepped on the gas. "Lemme out," said Ezekiel. "What are you talking about?" "I want out. Lemme out of the car." "You ain't going nowhere, dog," Dawson said. "Dawson. I said, let me out!" Ezekiel turned and looked at Dawson. Dawson looked at him in anger. Then the car slowed down and stopped. Ezekiel tossed the shotgun onto the seat as got out of the car. He shut the door, and walked away.

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and your breakers have gone over me. Ps 42:7

Isaiah

Isaiah was a beautiful little baby with blue eyes. One day, when he was in his crib, Uncle John said, I wonder what he will grow up to be.

When he was five, Uncle Eric said to him, "Hey Zay, what do you want to be when you grow up?" "I want to be a fireman," said little Isaiah. "So you wanna rescue people like your dad, huh?" Isaiah nodded. "Well, people need a lot of rescuing in this world, and there's a lot of fires." He put his hand on Isaiah's shoulder. "You gotta be strong to be a fireman, Zay, so you need to eat your vegetables." "OK Uncle Eric," said Isaiah.

When Isaiah was 7, his father took him to the fire station to meet everyone. "Hey, it's Zay!" they all said. "Hey buddy," said Captain Jacobs, getting down on one knee. He looked Isaiah in the eye. "You wanna ride the firetruck with us?" Isaiah looked at Dad. "Go on, son," said Dad. "Tell Captain Jacobs you want to ride." Isaiah was wide eyed. "Yea!" he breathed. "OK," said Capt. Jacobs. "But first we gotta get you a helmet!" "Wowwww!" said Isaiah. "Sam, I think it'll be too big for him," said Dad. "Hey, what the hell. Hey Jackson, give the kid a helmet." Jackson grabbed a yellow helmet and handed it to Isaiah. On the back it said "Chicago Fire Department." Isaiah sat up front with Captain Jacobs and Dad. They pulled out of the station and onto the street and rode around the block. The engine was noisy. Isaiah was in heaven. "Hey Zay, watch this." Captain Jacobs turned on the siren. All around the truck, the lights reflected off the builings. Isaiah plugged up his ears against the deafening wail of the siren. "Yea!" said Isaiah. They pulled back into the station. "How about that, Isaiah? One day you're gonna be just like your dad over there." "Yes sir," said Isaiah. Dad put his arm around Isaiah. "That's my boy," he said.

When Isaiah was 14, all the trouble started. He and Jeff Radkoff sat next to each other in chemistry class. Jeff had blond hair and blue eyes. He was the quarterback for the middle school football team. Isaiah liked Jeff. Every day he couldn't wait until Chemistry class, and then after it was over, he couldn't wait until chemistry class the next day. One day, he worked up the courage. "Hey Jeff," Isaiah stammered, whispering. "What's up Isaiah." "Do you want to come over to my house some time?" Jeff looked at him quizzically. "Sorry dude, I don't hang out with fags." Isaiah's heart stopped. "What?" he whispered. "I said I don't hang out with queers. I like girls, ok. Shut up man, you're gonna get us in trouble." Isaiah swallowed hard and tried to maintain his composure. "I'm not gay, man," he protested. "Shut up Isaiah, stop talking to me or we're going to get in trouble."

Isaiah spent the rest of the day in shock. At home, after he had finished crying, he lay on his bed looking at the ceiling. "Am I gay?" he asked the ceiling. No, he said to himself. A terrible anxiety gripped him.

When Isaiah was 16, he met Patrick. Patrick had red hair and an earing. He was loud and funny, and they had a lot of the same friends. One day, they were at a Kayla's house, smoking weed in the back. "Hey Isaiah," said Patrick through the smoke. "What's your phone number dude? We should chill some time." "Why?" said Isaiah. "I want to show you something. Just trust me," said Patrick. "OK," said Isaiah.

He rang the doorbell at Patrick's house and waited. After a minute, Patrick opened the door. "Wassup man!" Patrick said. "Come in, do come in. My parents aren't home." They went upstairs to Patrick's room and sat down on his bed. "I know your secret," Patrick said bluntly.

When he was 17, everyone was fighting. "What do you mean, you're coming out?" said Dad in anger. "You saying you're a faggot?" "Dad! This is really hard, ok. Just calm down," Isaiah stammered. "Calm down? I didn't raise you to be no faggot, son! What the hell!" "Honey, calm down," said Mom. "What Isaiah is trying to say is that he's going through a phase." "I'm not going through a phase mom!" Isaiah burst into tears. "I'm GAY, ok? GAY GAY GAY! And I have a boyfriend and his name is Patrick and we've been together for a year now!" "No, son. You're not gay," said Dad icily. He went down the hall. "Dad, where are you going?" "I'm gonna give you some time to rethink this!" Dad called from inside Isaiah's room. "What are you doing?" Isaiah said in desperation. He ran down the hall. Dad had Isaiah's suitcase out and was stuffing it full of random clothes from his drawers. "Dad what are you doing?" Isaiah said in terror. "You're gonna go rethink this, and when you remember who you are, you come back here and be our son." "Dad I don't understand." "Richard, what are you doing?" breathed Mom. "Be quiet honey, it's for the best." "You're not thinking of putting my son out on the street, Richard." "I said be quiet, Matilda. This is not our son. I want my son back." He zipped up the suitcase and reached in the bathroom, grabbing his toothbrush. He shoved it in the front pocket. Then he grabbed Isaiah by the arm and started dragging him to the door. "Hey! Let me go!" protested Isaiah. He squirmed and tried to escape from his father's powerful grasp. "Richard. Stop this instant," demanded Mom. "There's no discussion, Matilda. I want my son back." "Dad stop! Dad I don't want to go!" "Richard, stop it!" shrieked Mom. She ran up and tried to pull Isaiah out of Dad's grip. Dad grabbed her hand and threw her against the wall. "Get off me Matilda! Don't tell me how to raise my son!" "Richard!" Mom screamed in rage. "Richard!" Dad opened the door and threw Isaiah's suitcase outside. He pulled Isaiah up to his face and looked him in the eye. "Don't you come back a faggot, or I'll beat your ass. When you get in your right mind, you come back and be my son." He pushed Isaiah out the door and onto the ground, and slammed the door behind him.

Isaiah dragged his suitcase behind him as he ambled along the street downtown. Finally, he sat down alone at a bus stop and stared at his shoes. Then he looked up to the sky. "God, why did you make me gay?" he said aloud, angrily. Suddenly a man broke his reverie. "No use talkin' to God," he said under his breath. "What?" Isaiah said to him, looking at him. "I said it's no use talking to God. I don't believe in God," the man spoke up. "Well, I do," said Isaiah. "And I want answers!" He kicked his suitcase.

You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord, do I seek." Ps 27:10

Destiny and Promise

Once there were two brown haired girls, Destiny and Promise.

Destiny
Destiny was a beautiful little baby with brown eyes. One day, when she was in her crib, Aunt Sarah said, I wonder what she will grow up to be.
When she was five, Aunt Samantha said to her, "Now Destiny, what do you want to be when you grow up?" "I want to be the president!" said little Destiny. Aunt Sam chuckled. "Destiny, you can't be the president. You're a girl!" "Oh, ok. Well what can I be then?" "One day, you're going to meet a nice man, and you'll get married, and have a family!" "Ohh. OK Auntie Sam," said Destiny.
When Destiny was 7 her father raped her. Dad told her she would get in big trouble if she ever told Mom, so she kept quiet. Every night for a year, she had a nightmare. But she knew she couldn't tell Mom about the nightmares, because then she would have to tell her what had happened. Then, after one year, to the very day, the nightmares stopped. But then something happened. Destiny stopped dreaming. From that day forward, she never dreamed another dream again.
When Destiny was 14, she and Kenneth were going steady. "I love you Destiny," said Kenneth. He kissed her. I've always wanted to be loved, she thought. He started to touch her. "I love you too, Kenneth," she said. She felt empty inside.
They didn't use a condom. When she missed her period, she went to the school counselor.
"What am I going to do?" she wept bitterly. "There are options, Destiny," said Ms. Sanders, handing her a pamphlet.
When Destiny was 16, she met Larry. Larry was 21. He was fearless and strong. He was raw and powerful, and exciting. "Let's go to the lake," said Larry. "I'll bring the beer."
The whole gang skipped school and went. They had a great time. At sundown, Larry and Destiny went for a walk. Larry stopped and looked her in the eyes. "You are some girl, Destiny." Destiny beamed. He leaned in and kissed her. She could taste the beer on his lips, and she liked it. "I like being with you, Larry." She said. "I like being with you too," he said. As they turned to go back, he looked her in the eyes and said "Girl, I'll never let you down," Her heart leaped and she bit her lip. A tear slid down her face as they walked, hand in hand.
When she was 17, everyone was fighting. "You're so ungrateful!" said Mom. "After everything we've done for you, you're a selfish little brat." "Oh yea?" said Destiny. "Well you're a bitch!" Her mother slapped her. "How dare you talk to your mother like that?" said Dad. "Shut up Dad! You pervert! How dare you rape me! I hate you!" "What are you talking about?" said Mom in horror. "She's a liar!" roared Dad. "Get out of my house Destiny!" screamed Mom. "I never want to see you again!"
Destiny sobbed a sigh of relief into the payphone. "Sure, baby, you can come stay with me," said Larry. He came and picked her up.
Destiny didn't know how much Larry drank until she moved in. Then her life was filled with bruises. She owned several pairs of sunglasses and took a job as a waitress.
One night, Larry wanted rent. "Get off me!" she screamed. "Be quiet!" said Larry, muffling her screams with his hand. He took what he wanted.
When he was through, Destiny moved out. The Chicago night air was cold in the Spring. She found a bench on the lakeside. The cool lake breeze blew memories across her face for hours as she sat in silence, completely still. Then she looked up at the veiled stars and said, "Are you out there, God?" Suddenly Destiny felt a weighty peace settle over her, like she had never felt before. In her mind's eye, she saw a father holding his daughter up in the sunshine. "I wish I had a dad like that," she said to the wind.

Our hearts are yearning for you...

Promise
Promise was a beautiful little baby with brown eyes. One day, when she was in her crib, Aunt Jess said, I wonder what she will grow up to be.
When she was five, Auntie Ellie said to her, "Now Promise, what do you want to be when you grow up?" "I want to be an astronaut!" said little Promise. "You'll have to study hard, Promise. Being an astronaut is a very hard job." "Really?" "Yes," said Auntie Ellie. "But you can do anything you put your mind to!" "OK Auntie Ellie," said Promise.
When Promise was 7 her father gave her a bicycle. Dad taught her how to ride it outside on the street. "Don't look at the pedals, Promise," he kept telling her. "It throws off your balance. You have to keep your head up looking straight ahead." When she fell and scraped her arm, Mom knew what to do. She even blew on the Hydrogen Peroxide so it wouldn't sting as bad. "I believe in you, Promise," she said. "You can ride that bike."
When Promise was 14, Mark passed her a note. It said "Dear Promise. I think you have nice eyes. I hope we can talk some time. Your friend, Mark." Promise looked at him and blushed. At the school dance, they snuck off into a classroom and started writing funny things on the board. Then Mark came and looked her in the eyes. "I love you, Promise." "Don't be silly!" said Promise. "We're in middle school!" He tried to kiss her. "Mark, stop!" She ran out of the room.
When she was 16, she was watching the news and she saw the people left homeless by the hurricane. "We have to do something about this!" said Promise. "What should we do, sweetheart?" said Dad cautiously. When Promise made the announcement to her school assembly, everyone was inspired. They raised four thousand dollars and filled 17 boxes with clothes and food. Promise's picture was in the paper and the caption read, "Promise Brings Hope to Hurricane Victims."
When she was 17, everyone was fighting. "You can't go to Berkeley! I'm not going to let those hippies corrupt my daughter! No way!" said Dad. "You're just a small minded conservative!" Promise shot back. "Don't talk to your father that way! Who do you think is going to pay for all this?" said Mom. "I don't care! I don't care about any of it!" Promise ran upstairs to her room and slammed the door.
Dad knocked on the door. "Can I come in?" No answer. Dad cracked the door. Promise was sitting on her bed, looking out the window. "Promise, honey, we're your parents. We love you. We're on your side." "I know, Dad..." Promise rolled her eyes, still looking away. "We're just worried about you." Dad came and sat next to her on the bed. "Promise, the truth is, it's up to you. And I trust you to make the right decision." She turned and looked up at him, taken aback. "Really?" she said, eyebrows raised. Dad looked her in the eyes. "It's your life. You're an adult now. I just want to help you succeed." A tear slid down Promise's cheek, and she bit her lip. "Thanks Dad." she said.
Promise shivered on the bench outside the dorms in her jacket, looking at the sunset. Off in the distance, she could hear some of the University of Chicago freshman getting initiated into some kind of lunacy. She looked up into the night and said, "God, I wonder if you're out there." She waited for a moment, wondering what would happen. Suddenly an ominous reverence settled over Promise. Time seemed to slow down, and she was slowly gripped by a powerful Possibility from which she could not escape. She became uneasy, but she felt unable to move; her heart began to race, and as eternity loomed over her, Promise feared that she was losing control. Then, suddenly, it lifted.

You alone shall we fear...