Can Spirits be Restored?

By Susan Dollyhigh –

“Do you remember your words in Spirits Can be Restored?” my friend asked.

Of course I remembered that devotional. I compared an empty, neglected, vandalized, old Georgian-style house to human spirits that have been hurt emotionally, physically, or both, and sometimes even broken.

“Go back and read it again,” my friend said.

I hung up the phone and pulled out the July/August 2010 issue of The Upper Room and read:

“…As I pass by, I think how beautiful it (the old house) must have been in times past…How I wish someone would move in and fix up the place! I know it has the potential to be beautiful again.”

“…But when we allow Christ Jesus into our hearts, he can heal the scars caused by life and repair our wounded spirit. And unlike that old house on my street that could be too costly to restore, the high price of our restoration has been paid by Christ, the Master Carpenter, whose work is always of highest quality. We are never so broken that God cannot restore us.”

I laid the magazine on the table, and dropped my head into my hands.

Lord, I thought I knew what brokenness was when I wrote those words. I just never dreamed of our business failing, going through bankruptcy, problems in my marriage, divorce – all happening at the same time. Lord, if…

And then God reminded me of the story in Mark 9:22-24 where the father brought his son to Jesus for healing. The father said, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (NIV).

Lord, I know you can do all things, please help me overcome my disbelief.

And He did. The Lord brought me through that time, and He mended my broken spirit. He reminded me through words He had given me years earlier that it’s true; we’re never so broken that God cannot restore us.

Bible Verse: “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV).

Prayer: Father, thank You for the way You speak to us through others, and through Your Word. Thank you for your assurance that faith in Jesus Christ can bring us complete healing. Amen.

The Ultimate Transformer

By Susan Dollyhigh –

“Close your eyes and hold out your hands, Drew. I brought you a surprise.”

Three-year-old Drew did a little happy dance, squinched his face so tightly his eyes closed, and then stuck out his small arms.

I placed Super Grover in Drew’s hands, and stepped back. Drew opened his eyes and mouth at the same time, and just as quickly his mouth closed and his expression turned into a frown.

“What does it do, Nana?”

Before I could answer, Drew said, “It doesn’t do anyfing!”

Stuffed Super Grover was clearly a dud as far as Drew was concerned. He didn’t do one thing.

I soon understood Drew’s disappointment. He showed me his favorite new toys, Transformer Rescue Bots. Drew could transform them from robots into rescue vehicles. He had Chase, the police car, Heatwave, the fire engine, Blades, the rescue helicopter, Boulder, the bulldozer, and Optimus Prime, the leader who assigned underground missions designed to protect all mankind.

Super Grover…Rescue Bots… now even I could see that Super Grover was a dud.

Jesus stood in the synagogue and read, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He then declared, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

The people in Jesus’ hometown had just been presented with the Ultimate Transformer, they just didn’t know it. They looked at Jesus, and thought he was a dud. They didn’t think He could do one thing, so they rejected Him, and drove Him out of town.

Throughout Jesus’ three years of ministry, He drove out evil spirits, healed the sick, fed thousands with only two fish and five loaves of bread, raised the dead, and transformed the lives of everyone who heard and believed. He even died on a cross to save us from our sins.

Two thousand years later, Jesus’ ministry continues. Jesus Christ took me, a broken, insecure little girl, and healed my heart so I could become the person He had created me to be. He freed me from bondage, and I was finally able to laugh, and play, and sing with pure joy and abandon. Jesus Christ transformed my life, and I’m so thankful that He did.

The Ultimate Transformer will heal your heart, and transform your life as well. Won’t you give Him your heart today?

“He went to His hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does He get all these things?’ And
they were offended by Him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household’ ” (Matthew 13:54-57 HCSB).

Quote: “All I know is this works. It’s not only worked for me, but I’ve seen it work for literally thousands and thousands of people. I have seen the transformation on people’s faces when they receive Christ. I’ve seen the glory come on them, the light.” Joyce Meyer.

Generation to Generation

By Susan Dollyhigh –

Granny was a story-teller. “Susie, I hope you never have to live through a time like that,” she whispered after telling about suffering through the Great Depression. Her painful expression convinced me that her words were true.

Granny told me her grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee Indian. “Susie, my granny embroidered this handkerchief, and I want you to have it.” She gazed at the Indian girls playing on a make-shift seesaw, and I could tell her heart was gazing back at her childhood. Tears formed as Granny rubbed the corner of the handkerchief between her fingers, and then she gently placed it in my hand. Clasping her hands around mine she squeezed, and I felt the love of five generations flow through that small piece of cloth. Granny had confirmed my heritage to me.

Granny told me many other stories, but the most important was about Jesus. When I was a young girl, Granny took me to church. She made sure I knew we were celebrating Jesus’ birth at Christmas. She shared her sorrow of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday, and we celebrated His resurrection on Easter Sunday. She validated these stories by reading them to me from her timeworn Bible. But most importantly, Granny verified Jesus to me with her life.

Now I’m a Nana, and like Granny, I love to tell stories. I’ve told my granddaughter about my growing up in the sixties, her Native American heritage, and about Jesus. I make sure she knows what we are celebrating at Christmas and Easter. I validate these stories by reading them to her from my Bible. But most importantly, I pray that I prove Jesus to my granddaughter with my life.

King David wrote Psalm 145 to the Lord as a hymn of praise, and says stories of His mighty acts, His glorious splendor, and His awesome works will be told from generation to generation.
Someday, I hope my granddaughter shares Jesus with her own grandchildren, and they with theirs, on and on, through the generations, until Jesus comes again.

Alice Elinor Adkins Shelton, thank you for sharing your stories with me. You and your love live forever in my heart.

Bible Verse: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts” (Psalms 145:4 NIV).

Feed My Sheep

By Susan Dollyhigh –

The gravel crunched under my tires as I drove into the parking lot of the old, white-frame cottage. I parked my car and entered the homeless shelter where a motley crew of men, women, and children were waiting for me to lead them in Bible study. This group had been at the shelter for a couple of months, and I had gotten to know them well.

We spent time in God’s Word, and right after we closed in prayer, a local church dropped off a donation of four large pizzas. And pizza is a treat at the homeless shelter.

“Please stay and eat with us!” Lisa said.

I’d already distributed goody bags to everyone, packed my bag, and was ready to go out the door. And honestly, I couldn’t stand the thought of taking even one slice of their pizza.

“Thank- you, but I’d better go home,” I said.

“Oh, come on. We have plenty!” Lisa said.

Another resident chimed in, “Yes, please stay!”

I knew they appreciated the small goody bags I brought each week, and could sense they were excited to be able to offer something to me in return.

“Oh…okay,” I said.

Lisa grabbed the pizza boxes and hurried out to the back porch where she placed them on a rickety, old table. An eclectic mix of chairs was gathered, and Lisa pulled out the one at the head of the table, “You sit here, Ms. Susie.”

I soon realized I was the guest of honor as the residents scurried around…taking care of me. One of the children proudly set a Coke before me, and Lisa placed pizza on a paper plate, insisting I be served first. Everyone soon settled down and began eating, but their joy over sharing a meal with me was apparent as we talked, and laughed, and ate pizza together on the back porch. My heart soon felt full to the point of overflowing by the love lavished on me by my homeless friends.

Three times Jesus asked Peter, who had claimed to love Jesus more than the other disciples, if he truly loved Him. Each time Peter answered yes and Jesus response was, “feed my lambs”, “ take care of my sheep”, and “feed my sheep.”

I’d come to care for those living at the shelter, but what a blessing I would have denied both the residents and myself, had I not allowed them the opportunity to care for me.

Prayer: Father, thank- you for the opportunities You give us to “take care of Your sheep.” Thank-you for blessing our hearts in such wonderful ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Bible Verse: “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep’ ” (John 21:17 NIV).

May I Have This Dance?

By Susan Dollyhigh –

Eric reached for my hand and led me to the dance floor for the mother-son dance. Oblivious to the many guests following our every step, we danced to I Hope You Dance. During those three to four bittersweet minutes, with smiles on our faces and tears running down our cheeks, we shared our love.

“Thank you for all you’ve done for me, Mom,” Eric said. “I love you so much.” Looking up into his man-face, I couldn’t help but flash back to his little-boy-face.

“I love you so much, Eric, and I’m so proud of you,” I whispered. “You are a wonderful son, and I know you are going to make a wonderful husband, and someday an incredible father.” Pausing to regain my composure, I said, “I hope you and Amy have the best marriage ever.”

The song, and another stage of life, ended and Eric led me back to my seat. Returning to our hotel room after the reception, I slipped out of my long, lavender dress, and reflected on the beautiful wedding, the elegant country-club reception, and a dance that I cherish in my heart.

Seven-year-old David was already dancing when I reached out and took his hand. His eyes opened wide and he paused for just a second, then a big smile broke out on his face. And we danced to You Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog blaring from an old boom box.

“Wow, you’re a great dancer,” I said.

“Thanks, I’ve been practicin’,” David said.

The song ended, and I said goodbye. The gravel crunched under my car’s tires as I pulled away from the homeless shelter. Returning home, I took off my jeans and t-shirt, and reflected on the simple white-frame-cottage, a beautiful Bible study with a motley crew of men, women, and children, and another dance that I cherish in my heart.

Country club or homeless shelter, DJ or boom box, lavender gown or blue jeans, I never know the circumstances the Lord might use to shower me with an incredible blessing.

Prayer: Father, thank You for your awesome love and never-ending blessings. Amen.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly
realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 NIV).

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