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Shattered Shackles
Shattered Shackles
Shattered Shackles
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Shattered Shackles

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The lives of Jim Reid and his drinking buddy, John O'Banion, hit “rock bottom” in their marriages. Both started drinking at an early age. Jim was a habitual drunkard, poor provider, and often an absentee husband and father of 6 children. The oldest, Billy, disappeared and was never found. Jim was often unemployed and often slept in box cars, under bridges, in the back of saloons, or wherever he could find a place. When his wife Lola died, Jim stayed with the children for awhile but eventually alcoholism took its hold and Jim left his children on their own.

While searching for the “man in black” who presided over the funeral of Lola, the children were discovered and went to live with Ben and Sarah Barton. It turned out that the “man in black” was actually the uncle of Sarah, Rev. Jack Delaney (“Uncle Jack”). He and wife, Mae, had raised Sarah and her sister, Bessie, after their parents were killed in an automobile accident. This led to the re-discovery of the children's father Jim, his conversion to Christianity after a young man handed him a tract containing Rev. Delaney's name, and the happy re-uniting with the children.

Meanwhile, John was a terrible, mean husband to Alice, one of Jim's nieces. He had beat up his wife on occasion and had even pulled a gun on Alice's mother and “acted like a wild man”. John was re-united with his old drinking buddy, Jim, after John came to Rev. Delaney to preside over the funeral of the death of his newborn child. This eventually led to John seeking to have his “shackles” of alcoholism “shattered” through his pursuit of Christianity.

Another family that incurred the “shackles” of alcoholism was the Greene family. Alton Greene discovered Jim passed out drunk in in alley, which led to Jim's hospitalization and dangerous illness for several days. Alton had serious alcoholism issues that eventually led to his commitment to a mental institution for 11 months. He and his twin brother, Bud, became hopeless alcoholics at barely 20 years old. Alton was devastated when Bud was killed when struck by an automobile, and even contemplated suicide. Their sister, Rachal, had an unfortunate romance unknowingly to a married man and had a child out of wedlock.

Alton fell in love with Sarah's sister and a niece of Rev. Delaney, Bessie, and had several dates. He had initially seen her singing on the street about the love of God. Bessie was much younger than Alton and their romance was adversely impacted by Alton's alcoholism and the fact that he was not a Christian. Jim, meanwhile fell in love with Alton's sister, Rachal, but had to deal with the fact that, even though she was now a Christian, she had been an unwed mother.

This religious novel explores the unusual juxtaposition of the lives of members of several Southern families, the “shackles” of alcoholism, and its extremely adverse impact on family and romantic relationships. It also demonstrates the power of prayer, coupled with acts of faith and coincidental events, in “shattering the shackles” of alcohol through Christian conversion, restoring damaged relationships, and changing lives forever.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 7, 2016
ISBN9781370492985
Shattered Shackles
Author

Georgia McCain

Mrs. McCain died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident at age 87 on December 9, 2013. She maintained her Christian commitment and ministry, as well as her writing skills, until the time of her unfortunate death.At the time of her death, many of her books were out of print. To preserve the books and allow many new readers to enjoy, the books are being converted to e-books by her family. To increase relevancy and impact to a more contemporary and international audience, minor edits to the original text have been made to some of the books.The following article was published in the Cenla Focus in October 2012 prior to Mrs. McCain's death, and provides a synopsis of Mrs. McCain's life as an author. It was authored by Holly Jo LinzayGeorgia McCain, an author of 10 published books, recalls the day she felt the Lord Jesus lead her to start writing. "I was standing in the kitchen, and God asked me, 'What is that in your hand?" McCain remembers, and answered, "'Only a pen, Lord.' Then He asked me if I would use the pen for his honor and glory, and I said, 'Yes, Lord, as you direct me, I will write for the glory and honor of God."That very night, her first short novel unfolded completely from beginning to end. "The Lord gave me the name of the book and just opened up the story for me from the first page to the last," notes McCain about her first book, Through Troubled Waters, which was published more than 40 years ago. Her first book is a work of fiction interwoven with Biblical truths. McCain has sold thousands of copies, and has received letters from people all over the world expressing how the book touched their hearts. "I never dreamed about writing a book, let alone getting one published,' McCain notes.As a child, McCain wrote poems and made up short stories. In the ninth grade, as her teacher was passing out Christmas gifts to the class, she called McCain to the front of the classroom. She told the class that Georgia had a gift for all her classmates. Stunned, McCain realized her teacher had made copies of a story she had written and shared it with the class. From time to time, she would write another short story. Later, she was asked by a preacher to write a story that would continue and develop in a religious paper. 'I told him that I couldn't just sit down and write a story. God had to give me the thoughts: McCain recalls, remembering it was later that night that she heard God question her about writing. When her son, Danny, came home from college, he read her story, Through Troubled Waters, and encouraged McCain to get it published. "Everything I write, I want it to honor God,' McCain says with conviction.The 84-year-old author is a woman of prayer, and has lived a life in pursuit of holiness. Growing up as one of 14 children In the rural community of Rigolette, McCain graduated from Tioga High School. At 19 years old, she met and started dating a young man named Carl McCain. He worked as a lineman for South Central Bell and she was working as a telephone operator. After a whirlwind courtship, the two were married on July 1, 1946.The young couple made their home in Rigolette and raised their seven children--Ronald, Danny, Kenny, Randy, Barry, Donna and Jackie. The family attended Tioga Wesleyan Methodist Church, where Georgia and Carl served in every ministry they could. They have 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The two were married for 62 years before Carl passed away. Her home is a testament to a close-knit family with photographs vying for space on shelves stocked full with mementoes from the grandchildren. A legacy of love is showcased with framed drawings from the kids alongside epic poems written by McCain about her family.In between her serving at her church and raising seven children, McCain found time to write more books. Her second book, Trials and Triumphs, is non-fiction and retates many of her personal experiences, including the loss of her four-month-old grandson, Nathaniel, to meningitis. Her third book, a fictional novel, Shattered Shackles, deals with alcoholism and its affect on a family. "My daddy was an alcoholic, who would say he was tapering off when he was trying to quit. Later, he did sober up," McCain says, adding that her real-life experience probably played a role in the book.Another of her books, God's Little Lambs, is a compilation of stories written for children that can be read as bedtime stories or for family devotions. At one time, McCain says she felt impressed to write a novel about some twins. In Straight Paths, the story of fiery-tempered "Connie Slocum" unwinds as she struggles with heartaches, persecution, separation and loneliness. In the book's sequel, Plucked Out ofthe Net, Connie's twin brother, "Donnie Slocum," is featured in a story of redemption.Three of McCain's books have dealt with prayer and answers to "prevailing" prayer. "It is absolutely amazing that God has spoken to me over and over, and keeps giving me books to write. He has faithfully led me all the way," notes McCain. In all, she has written 10 books, and family and friends are after her to write a book of poems. She has written long poems with clever rhymes marking nearly every milestone in her and her family's life.It does not take long to get caught up reading one of McCain's books, and believing the incredible stories of faith in the non-fiction books. Written In such honest prose, her words flow from her heart and from a life seeking after holiness. If her books inspire and encourage or cause someone to "seek the Lord," then McCain says the books have served their purpose. "God deserves all the glory for anything accomplished through the writing or reading of these books," she emphasizes.A woman of faith, McCain has taught Sunday School and Bible studies in just about every ministry at her church. In addition, for the last 34 years, she has taught three different Bible study groups at three different nursing homes. McCain has been honored and received numerous awards for her volunteer service from Ball Senior Citizens Center and various nursing homes. In 2001, she was named the Volunteer of the Year of Tioga Manor and named "Most Faithful" volunteer at two other nursing homes.When her husband Carl served for a number of years on the Rapides Parish Police Jury, McCain supported him by participating in a variety of ways in the community. Known as a great cook by her family and friends, her daughter, Donna, presented her with a cookbook of the family recipes on her 50th wedding anniversary. Besides serving the Lord, McCain says her most important role in life has been as a wife and mother. She said all her children are “successful and love the Lord," and that they never gave her a "lick of trouble" beceuse she kept them in church and a "switch on their behinds", if needed. Her son, Danny, who is a missionary in Nigeria, even calls her every day.McCain says she is "blessed beyond measure by the Lord" with family and friends. Some have called her a "prayer warrior," in seeking God's will in her life. One piece of advice she freely gives out to all who will listen is the same encouragement she offers in her last book, Walking with God for Over 50 Years, "Sometimes when we can't seem to pray our way through, we can often times praise our way through to God. Try it."

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    Book preview

    Shattered Shackles - Georgia McCain

    Shattered Shackles

    Georgia Davenport McCain

    Published by Ron McCain at Smashwords

    Copyright 2014 Ron McCain

    Smashwords Edition License Notes

    Thank you downloading this ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friend. This book may be reproduced, copied, and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by this author. Thanks you for your support.

    Cover Art: Margaret O'Brien, artist-Convention Herald

    August 1977

    Originally printed by Old Paths Tract Society, Inc., Shoals, Indiana, 47581

    Dedication

    Lovingly dedicated to my sisters, Lois,

    Edith, Oma, Bertie, Delia, Lucille, Billie, and

    Elaine.

    And to my brothers, David and Doyle.

    Contents

    1. Lola

    2. Partings

    3. Deserted

    4. Loving Care

    5. Sharing Expenses

    6. Sarah and Ben

    7. The Mysterious Surprise

    8. How the Shackles Were Shattered

    9. The Birthday Party

    10. Broken Hearts

    11. A Faithful Shepherd

    12. An Unexpected Reunion

    13. Prayer Prevails

    14. A Burdened Heart

    15. Happy Commitments

    16. About the Author

    17. Books by Georgia McCain

    18. Letters from Readers of Georgia McCain Books

    Chapter 1

    Lola

    Lola Reid lay, hot and exhausted, still clutching the old rag she had gripped tightly while the pains were on her. She opened her eyes and winced at the bright rays of the late afternoon sun, which glared mercilessly through the bare window of her bedroom. Listlessly she turned the old rag over in her hand, then lifted it to wipe the perspiration from her face. Oh, if only it would cool down! she sighed. Reaching across the bed for her newspaper fan, she began to fan it back and forth across her face, trying to stir up a bit of breeze in the stiflingly hot room.

    A pesky fly, about to settle itself on the little bundle beside her, served as a reminder that even tired mothers have unavoidable duties. She stirred herself enough to give the fly a futile swat with the newspaper she held in her hand. The little bundle, disturbed, moved slightly. At this Lola took sudden interest. She raised herself upon her elbow and peered intently into the tiny red face. Mother love welled up within her as she uncovered and examined the perfect little body from head to toe.

    You precious little innocent baby, she murmured, why were you ever born? You deserve a better chance in life than you'll ever have in a home like this. Oh, how I wish things could be different for you-and for the others.

    What did you say, Miss Lola? Annie Long stood in the doorway, looking at her expectantly. Can I do something for you?

    Lola pulled the thin blanket back over the baby and lay back, disconcerted. She had forgotten that Annie was in the kitchen.

    No-no, Annie. You have a ways to go. The children can take over from here. Let Jimmie walk with you back to your house. You must hurry before dark overtakes you. She glanced gratefully at the lowering sun. Perhaps it would be cooler soon.

    Yes, Ma'am. Are you sure you'll be all right with jus' the children?

    Don't worry about me, Annie. I'll be all right. Lola spoke with the resignation of one accustomed to accepting less than the ideal. Thanks so much, Annie, for coming, and for coming so quickly! When I sent Jimmie to fetch you, I was afraid you wouldn't make it in time.

    I worried 'bout that, too, Miss Lola, knowing how fas' you deliver, but I came jus' as fas' as I could. Well, call on me again when you need me.

    Thanks, Annie, but I hope I never, never need you again to deliver a baby.

    One never can tell, Annie replied sagely. This was the sixth time Lola had needed a midwife in her ten years of marriage and Annie doubted it would be the last.

    Oh, Annie, Lola called as Annie started out the door, pass by that little shed out back and get you a big mess of potatoes. We made a good crop this year.

    I thank you, Miss Lola, but don't think you have to pay me for coming. I'm glad to help you out. With all your troubles-- her voice trailed off as she went down the steps.

    When Lola was sure that Annie was gone, she closed her eyes and gave in to weakness, desolation, and despondency. I'm a miserable wretch, she mumbled to herself. I'd be better off dead. But I'm so afraid--death seems so dark--so final--and I'm afraid I'm not good enough to die. She paused. Voices of the children at play, nearby, penetrated her consciousness. One by one she envisioned them: sober, gentle Jimmie, seven; carefree Jacky, five; inquisitive Katie, four; and little Sue, two-hardly more than a baby, herself; and now this little one beside her. Oh, what would become of the children without me? Oh-h-h, she moaned in despair, What will become of them anyway?

    Mamma, what did you say?

    Lola started. It was Katie.

    What I was saying wouldn't mean anything to you, Dear. I was just talking to myself. With a thin, trembling hand, Lola lovingly patted her little daughter's head, which was very much in need of a shampoo and brush.

    Then, noticing Katie looking wonderingly at the strange little bundle by her side, Lola asked, Do you like your new sister, Katie? See her pretty black hair and cute little nose. Lola turned the baby slightly for Katie's inspection. Look, Katie, at these little fingers. She placed her forefinger in the little closed fist and spread the little fingers across her own.

    Oh Mamma, she's so pretty and sweet. Katie stroked the little fingers with her own grubby ones. What's her name?

    She doesn't have one yet. What would you like to name her?

    Let's call her 'Mary. There was no hesitation in Katie's answer because she loved the name Mary. That was her latest paper-doll's name.

    And so Mary it was. Lola added Emma for her middle name, but to her family, she was always just Mary.

    Katie, run see if Jimmie's back yet. It's almost dark. And tell Jacky to bring Sue in, so you all can eat your supper. Annie said she would leave it on the stove for you. If Jimmie's back, he can warm it up. You can hand me a plate, also.

    Katie ran to obey, and in a few minutes she was back with the others, including Jimmie. But they were not as interested in eating as they were in admiring little Mary. Katie had told them all about the new baby, and each one had to hold her hand and pat her silky hair. She squirmed and stretched obligingly while they looked her over.

    Now Children, let's put her little blanket back on her and let her rest. Little, teensy babies can't be fondled much. Looking at Jimmie, she told him, Son, go into the kitchen and help the children get their supper. When all are through, you can fix me some of the stewed potatoes and corn bread.

    Are you gonna eat right there in the bed? Katie asked.

    Yes, Dear, your mamma doesn't feel well. I can't go to the table tonight. Maybe in a few days I'll be up and around again.

    As the children went into the kitchen, once again Lola was left to her dismal thoughts. Perhaps if Annie told Mrs. Simmons about the baby and that Jim was away, maybe she would come and help out a day or so. She would never come if she knew Jim was at home, for she disliked him. Jim. Where was he? No doubt he had meant to come home before the baby came, but when he got to drinking, he simply forgot--or didn't care. Lola sometimes wondered whether he cared at all for her and the children these days.

    When she was seventeen and he was nineteen, they had thought they could not live without each other. She had defied her parents to marry him. With her hands on her hips and fire in her eyes, she had told them she was going to marry him, regardless of the consequences. Well, she married him all right, even though she had to run away to do it; and now there was nothing to do but suffer the consequences.

    The one time she had gone back home for a visit with her parents, she had not let on to them that she was having it rough. Better to pretend that everything was fine than to hear their, I told you so. That trip was made when Jimmie was a baby. Jim had scraped up enough for her bus fare and encouraged her to go for a visit, thinking it might help her to be away awhile after the tragedy of losing their little Billy. But upon her return, nothing had changed; she had to face the same conditions.

    Perhaps if I had not been so bitter about what happened to Billy, things would have been different, she mused. Until then, in spite of Jim's occasional drinking, we were fairly happy, but-- Lola brushed the thought aside, refusing to take any of the blame for Jim's awful habit and his neglect of his family.

    Jim should shoulder his own responsibilities and provide better for us, she continued to ponder her troubles. I have load enough trying to make ends meet on the little he gets from logging and the other odd jobs he finds now and then. When he stays away drinking all the time, it's pretty hard to remember why I wanted to marry him. If he'd act like the man I married, perhaps this coldness in my heart toward him would melt.

    Times were hard for the Reid family. One baby had come after another, and Jim was more often away than he was at home. For a while he drank with his brother, Joe, who lived just outside Batesville. He stayed with him much of the time, especially during the shrimping season. He could make more money shucking oysters and peeling shrimp than he could logging, making crossties and hauling pine knots with Paul Simmons. And even though a big portion of his money went for drink he usually managed to bring home groceries when he did return.

    Then his brother passed away. After that, Jim spent the next three years just rambling here and there, sleeping in box cars, under bridges, in the back of the saloon and anywhere else he could find a place. As long as the shrimp and oyster season was in, he had no trouble finding work while he was away from home; but when that was over, he had to take what he could find in odd jobs to pay for his liquor and buy food enough to keep his family from starving. Often he helped Mr. Michael in the saloon, and sometimes he took repair jobs on houses, did yard work, or whatever was offered him. Jim was not a lazy man, it was just that the drink had such a hold on him. Sometimes when he would be home trying to amend his ways, he would share some of his experiences with Lola. But when he was gone he never wrote, and she never knew where to find him.

    Lola had to manage carefully and work hard to keep food on the table. With Jimmie's help, she raised a little garden twice a year--in the spring and early summer, and then again in the late summer and fall. To supplement their meager diet in the spring season, Lola and the children picked blackberries, which they enjoyed eating fresh. When there was an abundant crop, Lola canned some of the berries for later use. Through the summer months they depended on the potatoes and other vegetables from the garden. And in the fall, they gathered nuts and persimmons from the woods nearby. Their main meal then was often baked yams served with collards or turnip greens. Still in spite of all Lola's good managing, oftentimes the cupboard was so bare that the children resorted to cracking nuts and eating them to stop the awful gnawing hunger in their little stomachs between times.

    Four years passed swiftly by and the children grew in spite of the hardships. But the passing years did nothing to improve matters in the home.

    Perhaps the sadness in Lola's eyes helped drive Jim to the depths he had gone in those years, but she could not seem to change, nor could he. It was hard for Lola to look anything but sad under the circumstances. Her heart ached for all that her children were missing. She thought of them now.

    Mary, now four, was an unusually perceptive child, always sensitive to the feelings of others. She was the peacemaker in the children's quarrels and the first to console their sorrows. This was brought sharply to Lola's attention one morning when she became the object of Mary's compassion. Lola was sorting dried beans to cook for dinner. Mary had been sitting on the floor, playing with her corn cob doll, never once seeming to look at her mother, until suddenly Lola felt a gentle pressure against her knee.

    Lola put her arm around Mary's shoulder as the little girl looked up into her mother's face and asked, Mamma, why are you so sad?

    Tears welled up in Lola's eyes. Not being used to sympathy of any sort, it unnerved her.

    Mamma, why do you cry? was Mary's next gentle question.

    You wouldn't understand, Mary, Lola had answered. Then stifling a sob, she had added, Run along now, Dear, and play. She did not want Mary to see her all broken up.

    Mary had turned and walked slowly out of the house. Lola left her work long enough to watch, making sure her own sorrows had not unduly upset her little girl.

    Mary had headed for her favorite spot under the old oak tree. She had cuddled her corncob doll against her breast and talked in admonishing tones to it, then sat it down beside her. Then Lola had seen her squeeze her arms across her stomach. She knew what that meant. She had seen that in all her children. And she, many times, had tied her own belt as tightly as she could. It helped to ease the hunger pain a little. The persimmons they had had for breakfast that morning just had not been enough. Turning, she had hurried back to her dinner preparations, wiping her tears on her apron. The beans had been mostly soup again on that day, she remembered.

    Lola sighed as she continued her meditating .

    There was Jimmie, her eldest. Although he was still just a little fellow, too small for his eleven years, yet he was becoming unusually manly and helpful. It was almost as if he understood that his daddy was not carrying his end of the load and he tried to help his mother all he could. Many times he had to miss school to help with the work. And when Jim was home, Jimmie had to help him with the logging and cross tie making. To Lola, it seemed terribly unfair. He should have been in the sixth grade by now, but he had barely fumbled through fourth last year, and it wasn't that he was dumb, either.

    Sometimes Lola was almost glad Billy was out of it all, at least she did not have to see him suffer hunger and need of clothes and lack of schooling because of their awful poverty. The only time any of them got clothes was when Jim would lay off his drinking for a while and stay home with them. Then he would be able to see their thin, ragged clothes and the shoes with the soles off. During these times, which were far too few, Jim would manage to buy them a few clothes. The rest of the time they wore hand-me-downs and rags, patched to the best of Lola's ability.

    Next, Lola's thoughts turned to Katie. Little blond inquisitive Katie had an unusually bright mind and wanted to know everything. She had only been able to attend school part time. She would have to stay in second grade again when Lola could get her started back. Sometimes, Lola tried to help her in her reading to keep her from getting so far behind, but there was very little time for such extras in Lola's busy days, and in the evenings, she was always tired.

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