Author: Yarrowhouse

Men of God

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Good morning Wonderers:

God calls us to love one another as we love ourselves.

Memories are sometimes funny, distorted or maybe even correct in their entirety. I don’t know why they come up accept to teach us lessons, to ask for a clearer perception, to ask for forgiveness or acceptance or maybe just to share. It’s Monday and I know I haven’t written to this page in a while so if you don’t mind I am going to designate this memory to Mundy Madness in honor of two men that taught me a lesson on how God wants us to love one another.

Children can be so cruel. One day you are best friends the next day you are enemies and then back to being friends again. On this one day of cruelty, a group of frienemies taunted and teased the weakest of the group. A sickly child that could not defend themselves. What they did to this child is not important in this story. This story is about the children’s fathers.

What’s a father to do? This day the father went to the other children’s father and tried to start a conversation about what happened. Maybe his approach was wrong. Maybe his approach was right but at the wrong time. Either way he went to this man. A man that he had befriended. They worked on their cars together. They spoke to each other and shared an occasional beer and laughed in front of their front doors. Not best friends but neighbors with concerns for their children, their neighborhood, their community. But this day would be different than any other day. This day would present a different side of their relationship. The side of conflict.

When the father stepped up to the other father it has been a day of celebration for his family and everyone had dressed up and was ready to go out for the evening when the youngest child was assaulted. Now I will state the attackers thought it was in fun for them but it was hurtful for the victim. Anyway the father was probably outside of his normal demeanor because he was under the influence of intoxicating spirits and stepped to his friend. The other father who had been working on his car tried to hear him out and when he tried to keep distance between the two of them, the intoxicated father fell back with his greasy handprint on his jacket. All of this happened right in front of all their children and the bully children thought they had victory because their father was not the one who fell.

But this is what I want you the reader to know. It is not the altercation that I am writing about. I am writing about what happened next and the new respect I gained for both of these men.

The father that fell back was helped up from the other father. He did not try to further embarrass himself or the other father in front of their children. He tried to set an example to the young boys in the crowd for this is not what men do. He did not blame the other father by calling the police because literally you never have the right to put your hands on another person under any circumstance. These two men worked it out amongst themselves for themselves, their children and their community. I don’t know if the other children out there saw what I saw or if they ever knew their father apologized and offered to have the fallen father’s jacket cleaned. I do not know if they just thought their father knocked down the other father on purpose and that it was not accidental. So I can only tell you what I saw.

I saw the God in these men. I saw Kings trying to protect their families with godly principles by holding each other up and to a higher standard. If the other children did not know it, you should be so proud of your father, on whichever side you were standing. Both men stood up to the test of the emery and won that day.

Victory belongs to all of us because our father carried the character of the Father God. They were not perfect men but they were godly men and they taught us that day what God meant by loving your neighbor as you love yourself.

Thank you for perusing and may God guide your heart with love and light.

Rocked By The Father

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I don’t recall when it started but I remember once asking my grandmother when would it stop. Better yet how would I stop. It had become such a habit, one that embarrassed me to the core. I was in my teens and I was worried I would rub my hair out to a bald spot. She told me one day it would just happen. Not to worry about it. It would stop on its own.

I think it has been going on now for about fifty years, me rocking myself to sleep. I’ve had times not realizing I had stopped and times when it was incessant. I don’t know how my family was even able to sleep with me and tolerate the movements that and the cool air that would rush in between the swaying. They did it because they loved me and they knew it brought me some peace.

Today in service at church I heard the pastor speaking about how God rocks us in his arms and for the first time I fully understood why I do it. The father is comforting me like only he can. No matter how happy or unhappy, tired, fearful or anxious I may have been only the Father’s rocking can bring me comfort and lull me to sweet sleep. No one else has ever been able to completely give me that kind of peace. The peace that surpasses all understanding. Even though I did not understand why I was rocking God knew what I needed and he provided it. In that period of rest God was empowering me with inner strength through his Spirit preparing me to receive the love of Christ so I could continue on in whatever was to come. What a blessing that the Father loves us so much.

Our service today was based on Ephesians 3:14-21 – Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:14-21‬ ‭NIV

How is God comforting you and bringing you strength?

I pray this passage speaks to you in some way and you know Christ’s love is available to you.

Thank you for perusing and may God be with you tonight and always.😘

http://bible.com/111/eph.3.15-21.niv

Worth

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Good morning Wonderers:

This message is for everyone but especially the women of this world. Do you know your worth? You are worth far more than being in the wrong relationship. Worth far more than being a side chick. Worth far more than being hidden from the light,

I question do you know because of what I see going on around me. I am not questioning your intentions so I am not going to put out any scenarios. I can only tell you about my own personal experiences and hope it gives you some guidelines to starting a relationship.

1. You are worth the love you desire. Don’t settle for anything less than what you want. God knows the desires of your heart and will send the right person at the right time. You do not have to run him down.

2. Wait for the godly man that will respect you in all manners. He will be willing to meet your family and friends. He will be with you in public. He will not keep you a secret. He will want the world to know God blessed him with a treasure.

3. He will be considerate of your every need. He may not be able to accommodate all of them but he will sit and listen and help you come to s solution.

These are three things I know to be true in going into a relationship but there is more you need to know.

1. Trust God he set the standard for relationships. Thou shall not covet. Ladies there are men that are troubled with their own sinful nature. You should know you are above entering into the middle of all that. Pray over the situation if God be for you who could be against you. If he doesn’t clear the situation he was not to be yours. God is not the author of chaos, he works for the good of those you love the Lord and according to his purpose. What God has for you is for you.

2. Wait on the Lord anyway. He will open doors no man can shut and put aside what you think should be the plan. He has a better plan.

3. Pray, pray and pray that he will lead you and guide you to the right person.

These are the guidelines I want my girls to know. When the right man comes along you will know it in your spirit. Regardless of his looks, prestige, fame or whatever you think you see in him. God sees all of him every hidden nature. You just need to be still and know God will never leave your side. Be still and listen to the Spirit he will tell you if he is the one.

Thank you for perusing and have a wonderful morning.

Through The Waters

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Shortly after my husband passed I read an article where the author suggested grief comes in waves. I don’t remember who wrote it I just remember how I felt at that time and I couldn’t relate to it. Now I see the ocean in front of me and I’m standing on the other side for now.

Sometimes the waves come and slowly entices you to come in. Innocently you play in it letting it surround you while you take a deep breath and let it wash over you. Other times it knocks you down and drags you into the deep murky waters. You can’t catch your breath and you struggle for air while the currents take you deeper into despair leaving you isolated from anything you know good. While you are submerged thoughts of anguish take over you. Fear, anxiety, and depression take a hold of you. The water tells you lies about your life, about your dreams, about the people you love and especially about the person you grieve.

And then there are the times when you are submerged deep enough for thoughts to take you in but not deep enough for terror to take you over. That is mostly the times when other people question your integrity because they see you in the water comfortable in your own skin. What they don’t know is at that time you are in denial of your reality. For me, it’s several different scenarios all leading to the same conclusion. He is not dead. He is off at war fighting for his family and will return soon. He is somewhere undercover so his family will be protected while he fights for his innocent and someday will return. My favorite, he is a MI6 agent and when the plot to destroy the world is done, he will come home. He will come home. He will come home again and your family will be restored. It has all been a bad dream.

The waves keep rolling and rolling but fortunately I have a Savior who keeps pushing me back to shore. He rescues me and gives me breath and brings me back to life. He comforts me like no one else can. He restores me and gives me hope. He lets me know there is no condemnation in choosing life. It is what he expects of me. He expects me to live out the purpose he planned for me. It does not mean that I am not in pain. It means that my Father loves me not to leaving me floating face down in the water. He stands me up on the sands of the shore and walks me through the valley. He removes all the mountains in my way and returns me to the path home to my family. My purpose and his plan.

So when I say I’m standing on the other side of grief for now I say it with confidence because I serve a God that will never leave me nor forsake me. The waves may come but the Spirit is with me and he will not let me drown. Jesus will rescue me and bring me back to the shore. I hope you know it too. We are his children and he loves us more than we can ever know. Whatever your situation he can bring us through the waters and he can move mountains!

Isaiah 43:2 NLT “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

How awesome is this! I am standing on his promises.

Thank you for perusing and have a good evening.😘

Endowed with Love

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Good evening Wonderers:

The creative circle was endowed with love yesterday for Valentine’s Day. ❣️The children surprised me last night with a beautiful pink metallic vase and a boutique of red and pink roses. Thank you children for loving your mom so much. Before my son came into the house I want you to know where my thoughts were. I was good❣️I had helped a neighbor earlier. I had read about the significance of Ash Wednesday. Earlier still I escorted my daughter to a doctor’s appointment because she now has better options for health insurance and we established her with a physician and I went to art guild. I spoke with people at the doctor’s office at the supermarket and everywhere I needed to be to touch a life and to be touched. My cup was full. It’s already getting better. God is moving on my behalf. At school, the smile on the baby girl’s face as she explained all of the day’s events and how she couldn’t wait to get home to share her valentine loot with the family moved me. She is a shining light.

I had just finished putting the pinwheels up in the form of the diagram I had drew for them. I was feeling loved and I turned on the televisions and heard news of another school shooting and I started to pray for the families involved. I started praying for the world and in walks my son with flowers enlightening my heart so I had even more love to give.

I cut our visit short to go to bible study. We are studying The Beatitudes in Matthew 5. In Matthew one of my favorite passages reads “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16. The question asked at class: Are we shining our light? For some Yesterday was about giving and receiving small tokens of love. That is good but I pray that deep within your spirit you received something greater, the unfailing love of Jesus Christ and your light shines for all to see. The families in Florida need your light. The world needs your light. Please continue to pray for us all.

Thank you for perusing and God be with you all tonight.

Signs and Wonders

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Good evening Wonderers:

I’m working on the painting “Confirmation” today.  It has been a slow process for me to get it started.  It had been a difficult two weeks emotionally and thank God the idea was here for me to complete.

I was on a high note the week before the Eagles’ game.  It started with me ending up unexpectedly at a birthday party that my granddaughter was invited two days prior. I was not even going to go I was just going to drop them off and circle around a few hours later.  But something told me to go in.  The homeowners were from Philadelphia.  They lived just a block from where I grew up.  One guest owned some Florsheim Shoe Stores which was where my husband worked when we first me.  And everyone was an Eagles fan.  This was Saturday, a week before the game.  I took it as a sign from the Father.

A couple days later I get an email from my friend that there is a quilting guild in my area and they have a impromptu meeting the first Friday of every month.  And since you know I’m working on this quilt I decide to attend.   I end up sitting next to a woman that worked with my husband reminding me how much he was loved by his peers and community.  How awesome is God! Not only was my heart filled with compassion, I met several women who could help me with my quilt.

By Sunday I was ready for the game emotionally.  My son and I watched it together.  The other children went across the street to a Super Bowl party but I could not.  We stayed to watch it in the comfort  of my home and the Eagles won.  I was happy for them.  I was happy for everyone who was rooting for Derrick’s favorite team.  I felt God gave us a victory.  And since Derrick passed right after the game last year, God gave us a better Super Bowl memory.  I went to bed that night feeling God’s unmistakable love.

Something changed.  I noticed I did not want to answer texts and phone calls.  I knew people were concerned but I just did not want to share another moment of missing him with everyone else like I’ve had to do.  I would take this final grief by myself.  

On the 9th I had a doctor come to my home for a visit.  This woman who I had only known for 5 minutes asked how I was feeling this time last year.  Well let me see, this time last year I was standing in front of a group of people offering them comfort at his memorial service when I broke down and whimpered.  She said I was extremely depressed and it angered me.  Not angered as in hate but as in what more could you want from me.  I’ve gotten through getting the children off to school everyday and made sure there was food in the house to eat.  I’ve paid the bills and handled any situations with grace.  What more can be expected from me?

And that brings me back to this painting.  Maybe in theory she is right.  Although I could not see it was missing, where was my joy? Why am I not doing the things I love.  Cooking, singing, taking good care of my family and praising God in spite of it all.  I have my moments but where is the continuous joy.  I had to rebuke this feeling for I know who I am.  I am a child of God.  I am a child of light and, “we know all things work together for the good of them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

I thank Jesus for not leaving me there.  Her words were a reminder that God called me to a purpose and I was being distracted by the enemy.  It was okay for me to miss Derrick and weeping may endure for a night but joy Still comes in the morning.  So today I start to paint and I read about the president wanting to cut funding to The Endowment of the Arts among other programs that are here to support the people.  Where would I be without art?  What would our world be without art?  The history of the world as we know it is captured in the arts.  Past, present and future.  How sad our world would be without it.

So for today Wonderers I can only tell you this.  I serve and praise the God that told me to paint.  I trust in him and I await for my Lord and Savior.  When my doctor got the report from the home visit he gave me a referral to talk with someone.  I’m waiting on Jesus and in the meantime I will talk to the many people he has placed on my path with signs and wonders that He has heard my cries and I am not alone.  I will complete “Confirmation” and I humbly hope that it will give comfort to someone else who is also waiting on Jesus.  In Christ we are more than conquerors.

I am winding down to February 15, the day I laid his body to rest for the final time and I am good. I am not alone and I am not depressed. I have all of you and I hope you know you have a friend in Jesus. Tomorrow I have art guild meeting and will get some pointers on my painting and fellowship with other artists and Christians that love the Lord.  I will keep you updated on my progress but here is the First layer.

Thanks for perusing and may God continue to bless you and keep you.

Continuing

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Pinwheel 18

It’s time to try the first block. My friend Shelby sent me some information about the York County Quilt Guild. Thank you Shelby. I plan to attend and look forward to meeting a new group of women to help me on my quest. There is power in the name of Jesus. Everything I need keeps continuing to come to me.

My painting is coming along too.

Time Out

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Good morning Wonderers:

Gotta take a day off from my pinwheels because today I gotta do what I was told to do.  “Paint!”  The painting “Confirmation” is on my mind.  Yesterday at service the gospel choir moved me with a song lyric, “I ain’t got long to stay here!”  I’m going to paint the singing angel next.  Her willingness to serve and praise is a blessing to my life and so many others.  I pray Jesus will help me display her spirit as only he can do.

“ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wonderers have a wonderful day!  It’s Monday and the day is full of blessings for you.

http://bible.com/111/rom.12.11.niv