Hidden Gifts

By Susan Dollyhigh –

I discovered the tiny red package hidden behind the Christmas tree. The white bow I’d taken such pains to tie was undone, a ragged corner had been chewed by the dog, and the once shiny wrapping paper was dull and wrinkled from water that had leaked from the tree stand. Even in its tattered state, I recognized this package that held a precious gift I had purchased for my niece. On Christmas Eve, my large family became caught up in the frenzy of ripping off bows, tearing into packages, and oohing and aahing over presents, and this gift remained hidden and was overlooked. I delivered the sad-looking little box to my niece and told her, “This package has had a rough life but the gift inside should be fine.” My niece gently opened the neglected and overlooked box and found a shining golden locket inside, perfect and intact.

My heart was much like that battered Christmas package. A difficult childhood, an early marriage and a tumultuous life had left me feeling that I didn’t have even one gift to enjoy, much less one I could share with the world. Even though I’d accepted Christ as my Savior as a young girl, it wasn’t until my adult years that I became intimately acquainted and fell in love with Him.

Finally accepting the fact that He created me and unconditionally loves me allowed my tattered heart to heal and as it did, I discovered precious gifts, perfect and intact, that had been hidden for decades. I found self-worth and self-esteem, laughter and playfulness, a deep love and caring for others, and the totally unexpected gift of writing. My loving Father had given me many gifts to enjoy – even ones that I could share with the world; I just hadn’t guarded my heart and had almost missed out on His blessings.

When we allow Jesus into our hearts, He can heal the scars caused by abuse and repair the broken spirit. Wonderful God-given gifts are then just waiting to be discovered.

PRAYER: Loving Father, thank you for your healing grace. Thank you that it’s never too late to discover the gifts that you have given us and to use them to bring glory to You.

BIBLE VERSE: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

A Season of Peace

By Susan Dollyhigh

Gathering around the kitchen table at the homeless shelter, we lit the purple Advent candle that symbolizes peace. Peace that is sometimes in short supply for those living at the shelter. Peace that is sometimes elusive in my life as well.

This small group of women and I talked about the different things we once used to fill our soul’s desperate need for peace: relaxing music, bubble baths, soothing candles, food, cigarettes, and even turning to the escape found in alcohol and drugs. We talked about addictions that had destroyed all illusions of peace for some—along with jobs, relationships, and even health.

We discussed what happens when the music is turned off, the bath water grows cold, and the candle melts down into a puddle of cold wax. We commiserated about feeling miserable after a food binge and how the desire for one cigarette just produces the desire for another. We agreed that when the high is gone and a hangover has taken its place, we are left once again searching for peace.

As we talked, we began to realize what a wonderful gift peace actually is. But how do we find true and lasting peace? How do we hold on to peace when our situations are anything but peaceful? We found the answer in Isaiah’s prophecy that a child would be given us whose name would be the Prince of Peace.

We reflected on the times when we had turned to Christ seeking peace and how He had always proven Himself faithful. In that small kitchen, with the flame flickering on the candle of peace, peace began to flicker in our souls as well. No, our situations hadn’t changed but our minds and souls had been transformed by the peace of God that transcends understanding.

Glory to God in the highest, for to us a child was born and He is the Prince of Peace.

QUOTE: “Remember this. When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from light, the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness. This is also the case when people withdraw from God”.
~Augustine

BIBLE VERSE: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

The Miracle Suit

By Susan Dollyhigh –

Ever needed a miracle like… now?  My son called to say his wedding, postponed the previous summer, would take place in one month. Anticipating the first wedding date, I’d bought a dress that fit perfectly.

I hung up the phone and dropped my head into my hands.

How will I ever lose the fifteen pounds I’ve gained since summer?

I began working out and counting every calorie. Holding my stomach in, I got into the dress without bursting any seams.

Maybe another day without food and I’d look just right.

However, when time neared for the big event, a vision flashed before my eyes of the groom’s mother waddling down the aisle in a beautiful, lavender dress with bulges everywhere; around her waist, around her hips, and around her thighs.

I dashed to the mall in search of the perfect slimming garment, and spotted a sign boldly proclaiming Miracle Suits. I snatched that garment from the rack and practically danced my way into the fitting room. I pulled, tugged and stuffed myself into the suit. My now-bulging eyes told me I was enhanced, slenderized, and shaped as the label claimed.

So I bought the suit, returned home, and removed my purchase from the bag.  My family stopped what they were doing as their mouths fell open. They agreed I could not wear that suit of armor under my elegant dress. I realized the only thing slenderized was my brain.

Sanity returned to my panicked mind and I returned that miracle suit to the mall. The day of the wedding, I put on my dress and found that those huge bulges I’d imagined existed only in my panic mode.

Later I was able to laugh about the suit of armor I’d almost worn to my son’s wedding, but I also realized that many times I react the same way in a perceived crisis. I take the problem to God in prayer and then, rush out to try to fix it myself.

I’ve learned with a little discipline; physical, mental and spiritual, and putting on the armor of God daily, I don’t get myself into situations where I have to struggle with pleading to God for a miracle.

PRAYER:  Father, thank You for the privilege of being able to bring all my requests, big and small, to You. Thank You for Your Spirit that gives me power, love, and self-discipline.

BIBLE VERSE: “For the Spirit God gives us power, love and self-discipline” (II Timothy 1:7 NIV).

Lord, I Need Something Today

By Susan Dollyhigh –

I prayed myself out of bed that morning. It seemed I’d existed on prayer for the past two years. A broken foot only forecasted the brokenness that was to follow. Broken marriage. Broken business. Broken finances. Broken me.

“I’m trying to hold on, Lord,” I prayed as I pulled on an old pair of jeans, “but I need You to give me something today.” I couldn’t believe I’d just prayed such a selfish prayer.

“I’m sorry, Lord. You have been my Sustainer. It’s just that I’m so weary, so worn out…”

I had an errand to run, so I drove downtown. As I parked my car, I saw Scottie walking towards me in typical fashion; head down, plaid, wool jacket hanging askew over slumped shoulders and worn-out tennis shoes shuffling under the tattered hem of brown polyester pants.

I stepped out of my car. “Hello, Scottie.”

“Got some money so I can get me some lunch?” Scottie mumbled.

“Where would you like to eat today?”

“Barney’s,” Scottie replied.

“Well, come on, we’ll go to Barney’s.” I slowed my pace to match Scottie’s as we walked the short distance to the sandwich shop.

I pulled the glass door open for Scottie to walk in. Scottie sat down at a table, removed the napkin wrapped around the silverware, gave it a shake and tucked it into the front of his wrinkled shirt.

I walked over to the waitress, “I’m buying Scottie’s lunch today.”

People in our town take care of Scottie, and I could tell the waitress had done this routine before.

“What can I get for you today, Scottie?” the waitress asked.

“Cheeseburger, French fries, and pop.”

The waitress walked back over to me. “He ordered his usual, it’s $5.00.”

I pulled a bill from my wallet, gave it to the waitress, and turned to leave. When I walked by Scottie, he stuck out his gnarly hand and took mine. “Thank you,” he said.

I squeezed his hand in return. “You are welcome, Scottie. God bless you.”

Tears filled my eyes, yet I felt my heart swell. Isn’t it just like our Father to bless us by allowing us to be a blessing to someone else?

I walked to my car with my heart full of praise and thanked God saying, I asked you to give me something today. I didn’t know what I needed or even what I was asking for, but You knew just what I needed and sent Scottie to bless my heart.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Your great love and compassions. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness, Lord unto me.

BIBLE VERSE: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV).

Da-Da Fix It

By Susan Dollyhigh –

“Broke,” my grandson, Drew, said as he held up his red Matchbox car in one hand and a set of wheels in another. I watched as a frown furrowed Drew’s forehead while he turned the car over and tried to snap the wheels back into place.

With all of the manual dexterity of a two-year-old, Drew worked to replace the wheels on the underside of his small car. But, it soon became evident, even to Drew, that this problem was too difficult for him. I expected Drew to become frustrated, perhaps cry or maybe even throw his toy down, but he walked over and calmly placed it on the coffee table; looked over at Amy, his mama, and said, “Da-Da fix it.”

Drew left his broken car on the table and turned around to play with something else.

“Whenever something breaks,” Amy said, “Drew just puts it down and says, ‘Da-Da fix it.’ He thinks his Daddy can fix anything.”

I have many things in life that I hold up and say, “Broke.” Relationships, finances, health – “broke.”  A frown furrows my forehead while I try to put the pieces of my life back together.

With all the spiritual maturity of my fifty-four years, I work to fix my problems until it becomes evident that they are too difficult for me. Unlike Drew, sometimes I do become frustrated, cry and even throw up my hands in despair.

Yet the Lord tells us to give him our broken pieces; to place them at the foot of the cross, walk away, and have enough faith to say, my Heavenly Father will fix it. I know He can fix anything.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us and hearing us when we cry out to You. Thank You for being close to us when we are brokenhearted. Thank You for the promise of delivering us from all our troubles.

BIBLE VERSE: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:17 – 19 NIV).

 

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