He Caught Your Tears: The Father of Mended Hearts

By Shawnta M. Ball

Like many women both young and old, our relationships with our fathers (or the lack thereof), comprise a chapter in our lives that if not addressed can wreak havoc in our current life situation and prevent us from having the future of our dreams. Unresolved daddy issues affect many areas of our lives. Like the ability to have a healthy, non-abusive, and intimate lasting relationship with a man. Many of these issues not only affect girls and women, but boys and men suffer from daddy issues too. I believe this is one of the reasons there is dysfunction in some relationships.

The hidden wounds of women who are secretly hurting inside; who just cant seem to find their way out; self-destruct. Amidst or during this self-destruction, many loved ones become casualties of this cycle and also suffer. HE Caught Your Tears was written to give a glimpse into the lives and testimonies of women who secretly carried the wounds of their past, unresolved daddy issues, but who transformed and became victorious. Each story takes the reader on the journey that helped to transform the writers and bring them out victoriously through the process of healing, deliverance and liberation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532024320

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Copyright © 2017 Shawnta M. Ball.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-2433-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2432-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017910441

iUniverse rev. date:  09/19/2017

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

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#HCYT #TFOMH

To my dad, Charles S. Ball Sr., and the many fathers who put forth great effort to take care of their families, children, and other responsibilities.

It was an August day in 2014, and sitting still in a quiet moment with my thoughts and tears just flowing, I was remembering how the Lord had ministered to me. Although our family had endured and suffered through many things when I was growing up, God reminded me of how He had always been my Father. He had taken care of me through the years, even when I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. That was the day I knew writing this book would be a mending process and it was time for total restoration.

That day, I didn’t have any harsh feelings flowing in my heart regarding my father; however, it was an unusual feeling. This feeling made me want to look deep within myself to find something of my father. Although I had many thoughts going through my mind, I was careful not to disrespect my father—but at the same time I was not totally letting him off the hook just yet. I believe the Lord was allowing me to see some of the residue that was left from him not being there 100 percent. I had such an unusual longing for my dad; all I could feel was a soothing presence of such love and understanding, without words. The Lord had me go look in the mirror at myself, and He reminded me that I am an extension of my dad. He is not totally gone, but he lives in me. I have my father’s attributes, some of his ways, some of his features and characteristics. He lives in my heart, and every now and then something he used to do or say comes out in me.

I still laugh and think about the times we shared. I realize I am so blessed to have fond memories of my dear old dad. I loved when he and I would take long drives to somebody’s funeral service. This happened on two or three occasions, when no one else wanted to ride with him. I don’t know who we were going to pay our respects to, but I just wanted to be in the car with my dad every time it moved. I wish there had been more special moments and memories with my dad. We used to stop on the side of the road and get barbecue dinners (he knew everybody and was loved by many) or go somewhere and get pizza. These were what I called chummy times.

Fast-forwarding a little. On June 25, 2015, the Lord clearly put it in me to write this book. This book started as a tribute to my dad in collaboration with a few other wonderful people who the Lord has blessed me to have in my life. However, if you read the introduction, you will understand how the Lord used this writing exercise to start and demonstrate a healing process. It is inevitable that a person will stay in bondage until he or she unlocks his or her heart and emotions to be healed, set free, and delivered.

Thank You, Father, for always giving me the victory and causing me to triumph in You. You alone are truly my Rock, my Fortress, and my Comforter. Jesus, no one can ever take Your place.

Daddy’s Precious Little Princess

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The Year of the Lord’s Favor

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

To grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

—Isaiah 61:1–3

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Our Stories and Tributes

Chapter 1   Fathers, It’s All about You Shawnta M. Ball

Chapter 2   To My Father Angel S. Ball

Chapter 3   I Love My Father Sylvia Ball-Moore

Chapter 4   Losing My Dad Ivory T. Hargrove

Chapter 5   My Earthly Father Lauren Ball Reynolds

Chapter 6   A Father Loves at All Times Rashiea Owens

Chapter 7   The Devil Meant It for Evil, but God … Vincine M. Campbell

Chapter 8   The Matchless Love of Jesus Christ: How I Became a Daddy’s Girl Monique M. Sanders

Chapter 9   My Two Fathers Monae S. Sanders

Chapter 10   Man of Steel Candeth M. Gravette

Special Guest Collaborators and Contributors

Chapter 11   A Daughter Forgotten but Never Forsaken Donita Marshall

Chapter 12   A Godly Example of Love toward Wives and Daughters Earnest L. Pendleton

Chapter 13   A Godly Example of Husbands and Fathers Fletcher L. Davis

Chapter 14   You Are Not without a Father William J. Morris III

Chapter 15   Validation Sheldon V. Turner Sr.

Chapter 16   Hear the Conclusion of the Whole Matter, and Be Present in the Moment Shawnta M. Ball

Poems and Messages

Chapter 17   Precious Jewel, Sweet and Innocent Shawnta M. Ball

Chapter 18   Diamonds in the Rough Shawnta M. Ball

Chapter 19    Proverbs 31 Woman Shawnta M. Ball

Chapter 20   Beautiful in God’s Eyes Shawnta M. Ball

Chapter 21   My Heavenly Father Is Shawnta M. Ball

Chapter 22   I Am Who God Says I Am Shawnta M. Ball

Chapter 23   Quotes, Statistics, and References Various Authors

Chapter 24   Love to the Brethren Shawnta M. Ball

About the Author

Dad Tributes

To My Sisters with Love

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Tremendous thanks to the Father of my mended heart! My Father gives me victory and always causes me to triumph in Him. Father, as long as You are by my side, I shall continue to go forth.

It is with much gratitude and appreciation that I thank and acknowledge each author and special collaborator of HE Caught Your Tears. You are all very special to me, and I am grateful to have you in my life. I have learned and gleaned so much from each one of you. I thank God for your graciousness and patience. Not just through this writing journey, but also through my life’s journey. Words cannot fully express how honored I am to know you.

Thank you for sharing your stories, wisdom, and knowledge so others can see that God will take care of us when we open our hearts to Him. Thank you for your triumph, bravery, and