The Devil Made Me Do It Read Online Free PDF

nature, don’t we, children?”
    Reverend Gregory, pastor of Love Zion Church, marched across the floor. His tone encouraged the congregation to lean forward. “Now hear me well, the miracle . . . was that the bush was not consumed! You ever been in a fire? Yes, you have. We all have. Some of us were consumed by what we went through. It changed you, so that you were no longer you. Ya got consumed. You quit talking to people, got hateful, stopped coming to church, you know who I’m talking to. Now, when God’s fire washes over you, we as saints need ta hold on through the purifying stage. If you do, it’s going to bring forth a new you. The fire didn’t consume you, my beloved, it just refined you. God is awesome, church,” he exclaimed as he mopped the sweat from his face.
    The drummer beat his drums with fierce precision as Esther jumped to her feet and two-stepped an amen. She waved her church bulletin in the air. The usher was out of insurance agency fans or she would have used one of those instead. She didn’t play with funeral home fans; she wasn’t fanning death around. Esther let loose with the power of air-filled lungs, “Glory!”
    She sat, crossed her feet at her ankles, and readjusted her dress around her curvy hips. Her shoulder-length hair was healthy and bounced with each sway of her head.
    She was a beautiful woman who turned heads as she sashayed down the lane. In her twenties, men used to call out to her as she bounced down the street to the lyrics of the Commodores’ “Brick House” playing in her head. But, at thirty-one, she was at the mercy of a society that redefined people once they gained weight. She was more than accustomed to the comments about her pretty face. She was raised well, and it showed in her acknowledgment of their compliments by her gentle smile and soft reply of, “Thank you.”
    Esther stood with the congregation as Reverend Gregory gave the benediction. She looked around the sanctuary and spotted Mother Reed. Well, in reality, she spotted her hat with its wide brim and long purple plumes. She was waving her hands in the air and giving praise. Esther spoke to people in general as she made her way over to her.
    â€œHow are you this fine Sunday morning?” Esther hugged Mother Reed’s waif-like body.
    â€œChile, I’m glad to be in the land of the living. Thank you for all your help during my Anthony’s heart attack and funeral. You a good girl, and God gon’ bless ya. This I know,” Mother Reed rubbed Esther’s hands.
    â€œYou know I’d do anything for you. I’ll be by to see you later on this week.”
    Mother Reed shook her head no. “Don’t spend all your time with an old woman. Get you some nice young man and live a little.”
    â€œNow, Mother, you know I’ve been there and done that and all I got out of it was the heartache I brought back.” Esther had a twinkle of mischief in her golden eyes.
    In a solemn no-nonsense voice, Mother Reed said, “I needs to tell you something. But first, I’ve got to speak to Reverend Gregory. I’ll meet you over in the vestibule.”
    â€œI’ll be there.” The twinkle faded from her eyes. As she watched her walk away she moaned, “Now what?”
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    Ten minutes later Mother Reed returned. Her wisdom shone from well used eyes as she made mental notes of Esther’s weight of pain. She pulled Esther over, and they sat down on the worn wooden bench that the ushers used in the back of the sanctuary.
    â€œEsther, look at me real hard. Look at this tired face. Do you see the lines? Honey, eventually black do crack. Now, I have lived long and well. You knew Mr. Anthony; he was a good man, and I was married to him for pert near forty years. I’m eighty years old. You do the math. Uh-huh, that’s right, I was forty years old when we married. Chile, I was thirty-nine when we met, and I