Doing some house cleaning

I'm not sure where I read this but I know that it impacted my thoughts and caused me to step into action. If there is something in your home that you have not used in 30 days, perhaps its time to depart with it. The past 30 days we have been doing major cleaning out and it feels good!

Do you ever find yourself being filled from God's Word and then desiring to turn around and share with another what you have learned? I certainly do and I think of that as a house cleaning as well. Not in the fact that I don't need it, but in the fact of sharing what I have. Here is a quote from "Sermon Snippet" that I really enjoyed: "How do you develop an all-consuming love for Jesus? Respond by pouring your life out in honor of Him"

Philippians 2:16-18 NIV "as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

2 Timothy 4:5-7 NIV "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

I believe the charge for us, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, found in 2 Timothy is what all of us hope and dream of, that God in the end will have found us faithful and obedient. Finishing strong in Him. Today, my Man and I are doing some house cleaning in our lives. Something that he has desired for the past 15 years, and for myself perhaps the past 12-24 months. We believe God has a plan and a purpose for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) That He is opening doors for us to enter into a new season. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) After much prayer and feeling God is saying the time is now, we are retiring and closing our business doors after 63 years of operation this very day. SIXTY THREE years ago TODAY, my husband's parents started this business that was then purchased by Bill in the mid-70's.

That's almost 40 years of being at work by 5:30 a.m. and leaving at 6:00 p.m. by man. Long days with running equipment, meeting employee's needs, doing everything possible to ensure safety, and provide the best job possible with-in our means. Then there came a day that we turned our business over to God and said You Lord give and You Lord take, and we have because You give. Thank You Lord.


On May 4th, I will have worked in our business for 22 years. Twenty-two years of 7:15 a.m. at the office until 4:00 p.m., twenty-two years of routine, demands, obligations and deadlines. Oh, I wonder what tomorrow will be like? Will we arise tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. as we've done for the fifteen years of our marriage, or will our natural alarm clocks be shut off to enjoy an extra hour of rest? Only God knows, and that brings a smile to my face. Not the Shadow, but God! (WINK!)


I would think it is safe to say that there isn't a one of us that intends on working in the business world all their life in this fleshly body. We look forward to the day that there is a change of pace and so I truly hope that you are encouraged and happy for us as we begin this season of our lives. I know that there will be sadness in the days ahead that we will work through as well. We are thankful for the 63 years that God has blessed our community, employees, customers, as well as our families. Thank You Lord. We have committed ourselves to pray for our 8 other employee's to find jobs quickly and to be an asset at their next place of employment. Please, if you feel led, pray for them.


Tomorrow morning we will awake with fresh ears and eyes for what GOD has for us, and we will do so with much joy. We will have a new beginning. A new season. Lord, we are trusting You. Lord, I want to pour my life out for you.

Lovingly and truly reaching for Higher Grounds,
Yolanda