Saved Race

164 Pages·2001·20.762 MB·English

by  Stephanie Perry Moore

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(L)aoe(jU\ace
STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE
jfne DCearo jCaiionai ^ninern
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun ofour new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.
So begins the Black National Anthem, byJames WeldonJohnson in 1900. Lift
Every Voice is the name of thejoint imprint ofThe Institute for Black Family
Development and Moody Press, a division of the Moody Bible Institute.
Our vision is to advance the cause of Christ through publishing African-
American Christians who educate, edify, and disciple Christians in the church
community through quaUty books written for African Americans.
The Institute for Black Family Development is a national Christian organization, li
offers degreed and nondegreed training nationally and internationally to estab-
lished and emerging leaders from churches and Christian organizations. To learn
more about The Institute for Black Family Development write us at:
The Institute for Black Family Development
15151 Faust
Detroit, Michigan 48223
Moody Press, a ministry of Moody Bible Insiiiuie,
is designed for education, evangelization, and edification.
Ifwe may assist you in knowing more about C,hnsl
and the Christian life, please write us without obligation:
Moody Press
c/o Moody Literature Ministncs
820 N. LaSalle Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois 60610.
ace
(L)aoecfU\i
STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE
©
2000 by
Stephanie Perry Moore
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be repro-
duced in any form without permission in writing from the
publishers, except in the case of brief quotations embod-
ied in critical articles or reviews.
Moody Press "Lift Every Voice"
Edited by Diane Reeder
Cover Illustration by Tito Cucnca
Cover Design by Keith Senator
ISBN: 0-8024-4238-2
13579 108642
Printed in the United States of America
For three biracial womenfrom different generations
who have a special place in my heart:
My maternal grandmother - Mrs. Viola Roundtree
My dear girlfriend - Mrs. Sarah Hunter
My goddaughter - LiV Miss Danielle Lynn
May the world learn that in the end the only race that is
going to count is the one that is saved!
other Books in the Payton Skky Series
Staying Pure
Sober Faith
Other Books in the Lift Every Voice Imprint
Planting Seeds of Hope
Sheep in Wolves' Clothing
..
Cjon/enh
Acknowledgments 8
1. Finishing the Statement 10
2. Calling My Name 19
3. Spoiling the Fun 26
4. Trying Too Hard 36
5. Embracing Beyond Belief 46
6. Invading Wrong Territory 53
7. Vacationing with Trouble 60
8. DatingJust Because 71
9. Mending the Tear 83
10. Longing for Home 93
11 Outside the Boxes 102
12 Picking People Up 114
13. Saying Meaningful Good-Byes 125
14. Dying for Peace 138
15. Understanding What Counts 149
^cAnowledomenis
C^
my
s I color with girls using the eight crayons in the
^yi Crayola box, I'm in awe at the hnal picture that
splashes the colors together. Then I reflect on my writing
and the color of several important people that help make
me the best author I can be. Thanks to all who continue to
help me learn that nothing is more important than saving
souls for Christ.
To my reading pool, Sierra Hunter, Kimmie Johnson,
Cyndi Lynn, Cole Smith, and Trace Williams, and my assis-
tant, Tiffany Austin: You all color my writing ORANGE.
Orange is such a bright color and that is what each of you
give me . . . bright ideas. I am grateful to you for making
time to read and edit my rough work. Your input has saved
this novel from being less than what God wanted it to be.
To everyone at Moody Press, especially Cynthia
Ballenger: You all are the color GREEN. When I think of
green I think of growth. 1 am grateful to you for your finan-
cial investment and belief in the Payton Skky series. Your
resources have saved this project from never being placed
on the shelves and never blessing a soul.
To my parents, Franklin and Shirley Perry and my
brother, Dennis: You all color me with BROWN. The brown
comes from the strong roots into which was horn. ihank
I I
you for serving me with your love all of my lilc. Your stip-
port has saved me many times from the lailtirc ol "not try-
ing."
To my daughters, Sydni and Shcldyn; You two precious
girls color me PURPLE. All 1 have to say is Barney, and we
have a great time. am gratcftil thai xoti hoih niDiivatc me
1
daily to be that best mom, person, and writer thai can be.
I
Your dependence has saved me from complacency
To the gals discipled, Jocclyn Bush, Shana Ogelsby,
1
and Antisha Oates: You all color me with YELLOW. Three