I remember that day so well... we had just moved into StoneGable... mover's boxes were piled high in every room waiting to be opened... and I could still smelled fresh paint and just laid carpet. Everything was new and beautiful and clean!
My husband called StoneGable "my dream house". I had loved this home from the minute I saw it in a magazine years earlier. Spacious, but not ostentatious...modern farmhouse styling... comfortable! The plans had been tucked away for quite awhile... but they were always fresh in my mind... I just knew someday I would live at StoneGable!
That day I sent the children off to their new school... smiling and waving to them from the front porch as they boarded their school bus.
My job for that day was to make a dent in a of the pile of boxes... to bring our life and personality to StoneGable... instead I went back to bed... depressed... crying ... and very guilty for feeling so bad when I was living one of my biggest dreams!
I had never experienced the pit of depression... and the guilt that hugged me so tight that it suffocated me!
No warning... no slow onset... it just hit me like a ton... or twenty... of bricks!
Just before noon there was a knock at my door. I would have never answered it in my condition... but it was persistent... very very persistent! The person on the other end of the door would not go away! The knocking went on and on!
I didn't even have the energy to tidy myself up. I dragged myself and my the big blackness... that clung to me like a thick cloud of smoke... out of bed and down the stairs to answer the door.
I opened the door just the slightest sliver... just enough to see who in the h - - - was at the other end of the door trying to literally knock it down!!!! (When you are that depressed your language goes in the pit too!)
There stood Mrs." Godworthy" ! Smiling, happy and with a light and lilting voice chirpped, "Yvonne, I'm sorry to bother you, I know you must be busy today".
Now, Mrs. "Godworthy" came by her name honestly several years before. Her real name is Mrs. GODFREY, but my children thought her name was GODWORTHY... "
because she is the godliest woman at church". My children really thought her name was Mrs. GODWORTHY! And from that day on she became... Mrs. GODWORTHY to us.
because she is the godliest woman at church". My children really thought her name was Mrs. GODWORTHY! And from that day on she became... Mrs. GODWORTHY to us.
So... there Mrs "Godworthy" stood on my beautiful new wraparound porch... I opened the door a little more.
By now she could see my unravelled appearance and it did not make her flinch. I did not see a passing look of horror cross her face or a raised eyebrow of "what in the world!".
I begrudgingly asked Mrs. "Godworthy" into my box filled foyer... and like a ray of bright golden sunshine she came through my red front door!
I did not... could not... ask her to come any further... to have a seat...or to have a cup of coffee. All things that would be automatic in my home! After all, I was raised to be polite and hospitable... and I dearly loved Mrs. "Godworthy"!
My lack of manner didn't seem to make any difference... she just stood there... smiling her sunshine all over my foyer! It bounced off of every surface... illuminating everything!
"Yvonne", she began..." this may seem a little crazy"... Nothing could be crazier than how I looked, I thought...
"God, sent me to give you a hug today"! Yes, this IS crazy... you win... my inward dialogue went on!
"I was on my way to visit my daughter and passed by your home earlier this morning and got an overwhelming feeling that I was to deliver a hug to you today... isn't that crazy?"
She went on...."I felt a little embarrassed to just come up to your door and tell you I needed to give you a hug... sooooo, I told God that if HE really did want me to give you a hug, that I would do it on my way home!"
"I forgot all about the hug at my daughter's and as I was passing your house on my way home... this time I felt God telling me to get out of the car and give you a hug! Remembering my promise... I pulled into your driveway... and knocked at your door..."
She left out the...." for a long... long.... long" time part!
Mrs." Godworthy" is a tiny woman... and I am quite tall. But that morning, in my foyer, when she wrapped God's love around me with her arms... I felt so small!
As she wispered, "Yvonne, God sent me to tell you that He loves you"... all the sunshine in the foyer reflecting everywhere... got sucked right into my soul... and banished the ugly darkness...
Mrs. "Godworthy" left as quickly and as happily as she came... but the SONshine did not go with her... It stayed inside me to warm me and comfort me... and to banish the demon I had been fighting with earlier that morning!
When God whispers in our ear... listen... and obey. You were made to be an earthen vessel... that holds the GLORY OF GOD... glory that needs to be shared and given to the whole hurting world!
What a privilege... what a blessing! Share the SON!
Simply beautiful, Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, What a poignant message on this beautiful Sunday! Thank You for sharing your personal story.........
ReplyDeleteBlessing,
Emily
The French Hutch
What a wonderful example of God knowing our most urgent need and sending his love and strength through unexpected means. I am glad Mrs. Godworthy obeyed her feelings and brought the uplifting visit that you needed at that time. God is good like that, you know!! I think God uses you in the same way to bring encouragement and joy to others as he used your Christian friend that day. I am glad you listen and obey, too. You bring a bit of sonshine through your blog which lifts spirits daily. ----------- Shannon
ReplyDeleteI wonder why you were so depressed? But God saw what you needed and sent Mrs. Godworthy right to your door! Loved this story. I think God I am so HAPPY in this new home. Over the moon happy right now. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteI have chills after reading this. How nice that Mrs Godworthy stopped by that
ReplyDeletemorning. I guess God just knew that you needed a big hug that day. Now you
share her spirit just by showing everyone what a Good Christian is.
God Bless. Is Mrs. Godworthy still alive and have you ever shared this story with her.
Denise Lamb
Hi Denise, Mrs. Godfrey is one of my dear friends. She is very much alive and spreading God's love and joy everywhere she goes. She is one of the most humble and unassuming people I know. EVERYONE loves her!
DeleteWe are so blessed when we are surrounded by saints who obey God's leading. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteWhat a very sweet story for such a day as this. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gee
Made my eyes well up Yvonne, thank you for sharing a wonderful story of obedience and that GOD knows exactly what we need and when we need it. ;)
ReplyDeleteBless your heart. I think sometimes we all need to hear something like this. I did today, and I appreciate it. Thank you. Susan
ReplyDeleteThank you for that! I have been feeling overwhelmed and down this past week. I have a week of medical testing to go through, and I am afraid. Your post lifted my spirits and my soul started to fill with joy. God bless you for the message!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! Thank GOD for people like Mrs. GODWORTHY for listening to the holy spirit and doing what the LORD asked her to do! The LORD knew what you needed that day, Yvonne, and she was obedient to his voice! This was a wonderful read~~~~Blessings~~ From one sweetie to another~~~Roxie
ReplyDeleteI love your story so much! It is so important to listen to those little promptings. Thank you for such a beautiful message :)
ReplyDeleteWe ask for God's guidance, and so many times fail to listen when He guides.
ReplyDeletePraise God for Mrs. Godworthy, and her willingness to listen and act!!
Thank you for sharing, Yvonne!
Thank you for sharing this personal story. I think you are so amazing! It is comforting to know that you have these kinda days too. I am glad that the Lord sent you one of his angels on this day...
ReplyDeleteYes, praise God for Mrs. Godworthy being obedient to the Holy Spirit tugging at her heartstrings to do such a simple task. We all need that reminder from time to time...we are His earthly vessel to glorify and honor Him, to spread the message of His love. Thank you for sharing this truth with us today. It has blessed my heart tremendously.
ReplyDeleteI've been on both sides of what happened to you. So humbling either way. Thanks for sharing this with us. blessings, k
ReplyDeleteOoh my, Yvonne, what a wonderful story! I know you are so thankful that you opened the door and that Mrs. Godworthy listened to God talking to her. You both were truly blessed that day. Thanks for sharing that beautiful lesson.
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious story!! It just reminds me that sometimes something as small as a smile or a hug can change a whole person's day. I need to slow down and listen for the Lord to tell me when I need to do things like that. Thanks for sharing this sweet story and thank the Lord for women like Mrs. Godworthy!!
ReplyDeleteJudy
This is wonderful, Yvonne! I am sure Mrs. "Godworthy" was as blessed as you were. This is a very thought provoking post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this beautiful story! I love Mrs. Godworthy and I've never met her personally of course. She just seems to be filled with love and light! She was definitely sent by God to let you know He's always with us.
ReplyDeletexo
Pat
Oh, how this blessed me this dreary Monday morning. Thanks for sharing it!!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Yvonne! I'm crying now! I admire you for admitting to the depression. So many people are ashamed of that. But, they need not be. It can hit anyone, anytime, anywhere. It hit me pretty badly when I was in my early forties and almost destroyed me. Although a Catholic, I was not a practicing one. Nevertheless, I knew Jesus and I had always loved Him, or I should say adored Him. Through the dark years that followed, I got to know Him so much better than I ever had. I did not receive instantaneous healing like you did. I was cut down pretty badly and could no longer even work. Over the years, it disappeared although there are times when it still hits me but I have gathered within my soul so much inner resources from the Lord that I am able to deal with those dark moments. It was worth it, though, because it made me discover the Lord Jesus and that He is the Light in my life!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I was going back and reading posts of yours that I had missed. I'm so glad I did. This is such a sweet reminder of listening and answering God even when it doesn't make sense to us. What a precious lady that goes around spilling God's love and her love to all. She made a difference in your life that is spilling over to all of your readers. Have a blessed Sunday and week ahead. Pam
ReplyDelete