Clarice Witherspoon - The Great Exchange: Being Restored Better Than Before

THE GREAT
EXCHANGE

Being Restored Better Than Before

Clarice Witherspoon

Copyright 2021 by Clarice Witherspoon.

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Rev. date: 06/15/2021

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CONTENTS

To:

From:

Thank You for Your Sup port

In All Things I Give God Th anks

I am forever grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all the things He has done in and through my life. I realize its in Him I move, I breath and I have my beings and without Him I could do nothing, therefore I give all the honor and glory to God for allowing me to pen my second book The Great Exch ange.

Although encouraged by many, the releasing of The Great Exchanged was totally inspired by the Spirit of the Lord, so I life my voice and say as Elder West would always say To God Be The Glory and I would reply Even In This!

God keeps on doing incredible things for me, and if I had ten thousand tongues, I would give Him praise with everyone and it still wouldnt be enough, so I vow to humbly submit my life as a living sacrifice, and to live holy and separated as a part of my gratitude for the things God and God alone has entrusted in my hand.

Grateful H eart

I am who I am because Ive been blessed with some phenomenal people in my life, although some have gone before me, I promise the lasting memories of our relationship will forever be in my heart, and for those that remain with me I am grateful and honored for our life together. Therefore, I dedicate my book The Great Exchange to each of you whom God has allowed to be apart of my lifes journey. Thank You!

As I purposed in my heart to sow seeds of Better over bitter, in due season Better was my reward and I am now living the best of the rest of my life as a result of the great exchange. Ending the year ending of 2014 I asked God for a second chance of being wife, not just any wife but a godly wife and God answered my prayer, therefore today I give gratitude, to my best friend, and my husband Leon Witherspoon Sr. Honey, thank you for pushing me when I didnt want to do, thank you for pulling me when I didnt want to go, thank you for being persistent with me when I was solid, thank you for loving and covering me during this time.

I also dedicate The Great Exchange to all the participants of The War Room. To each of you thank you for pushing through until something happened in the lives of others, which causes something to happen in each of you. Your prayer request, and testimonies of Gods greatness encouraged me to keep soaring, and in soaring above despite what was beneath me The Great Exchange was birth forth. Thank you and continual blessings to each of you.

In everything I do I always do in honor of you my dear Mother, so I dedicate my second book The Great Exchange in Loving Memory of my mom Dorothy J. Austin (12-13-1930 06-30-2011) The priceless memories of your life are forever sketched in my heart. Rest Well my beautiful Mom, gone but never forgotten always your baby girl.

I never dreamed that I would so soon write a dedication in memory of the one who endlessly celebrated me, the one who was my biggest supporter, my bodyguard, & the best brother ever. On Thursday , December 6, 2018 your transition left me breathless and gasping for air, yet I cling to your voice telling me to stand strong, you got this baby girl. I honor you Lemuel L. Austin (9-3-1954-12-6-2018) for being the best brother to a little sister such as myself, God knew just what I needed in my life when He made you my brother. Rest in Peace Brother, forever in my thoughts your first baby girl .

Rest in Peace Mom & Bro ther

And they will know we are Christians by the love we share. Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is gentle, Love keeps others in mind. Ms. Shamsie Taylor, (beautiful daughter) as I so passionately referred to her, for in knowing Shamsie I experienced all the attributes of love. Beautiful Daughters transition so early in life forced me into another level of appreciating every moment of time spent with every person in my life, as well as cherishing every smile and hug received. Regardless of how often misunderstandings occurs as for me the experience of sudden life transitions such as this one has taught me well, therefore, I dedicate The Great Exchange In Loving Memory of Shamsie Taylor, I honor you as I chose to live a life of being Peaceable with all as I extend the Love of Christ to others just as it was extended unto me through you my beautiful daug hter

Rest in Peace Beautiful Daughter I will forever Cherish our Memo ries

(4/17/1985 7/18/ 2019)

AN INTIMATE FOREWORD
BY: TIFFANY WEST

One tragic Saturday evening, I sat on the floor, numb. I dont recall much about that evening, other than time was moving at a turtle speed. I remember my Aunt watching me with sadness. She was the sweetest woman ever. She had a nurturing way of making everything alright. She tried her best to console me, but I was numb. My uncle rushed over to me, alarmed from my bloody hands. He affectionately said, Baby girl, as he sat knelled low next to me. I looked him in eyes and asked, what am I gonna do without my daddy??. He didnt have an answer. He just held me tight. But, I couldnt feel anything, I was numb.

Grief is a burden we all must one day face. Its a hard pill no one wants to swallow, a topic we all try to avoid. The days seemed long, and the nights were dreadful. For each night, I was alone, that numbness grew stronger, and I had to occupy my time to avoid it. I remember returning to work the Monday after we buried my dad, and an employee said to me, Welcome to the club. THE HELL?! I didnt want this; my hero is gone. I grew to loathe the how are you? conversations and the stares. I mean, isnt it obvious that I am dying inside?? No, it wasnt. I was strong, and too prideful to admit I needed help. Pretending it didnt happen and suppressing my emotions was a great temporary fix. But then, at night, that numbness returned. Now what? So, I drank. But that got old. So, I met up with men. But that got boring. I tried all the things to help avoid that stupid numbness. Nothing worked, and I was left with the question, what am I gonna do without my daddy???

My mother and I shared that day, but we had two different experiences. I bore the guilt of his passing. I felt like, I was there, so I should have gone upstairs to check on him. Maybe I could have saved him. I carried the weight of that pain for years. I remember not wanting to hear the voice of God, not wanting to sing, not wanting to do anything that made me feel happy. What a contradiction! I wanted the numbness gone, but happiness was not welcomed. Ultimately, I wanted the world to STOP, and give me time to process. Unfortunately, thats not how life works.