Restore

To make new, to transform into, to be changed for the better. A new chance to start again. Today started just like my typical day going into the shelters to share my experiences with the girls. As I got ready to go out the door, The Lord spoke to my heart and said for me to pick up some mints I had in the draw. I get donations from different vendors which in return I use for props at the shelter, as an illustrated message. Today is not different than any other day, since I will be sharing from 2 Samuel 9 and the life of the “Mephiphoyet” the son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul. How life has not been fair to him. (read 2 Samuel 4:4) His nurse attempting to save him after his parents had been murdered, fled trying to protect him. In her haste, she fell and the 5 years old boy became cripple on both feet. He wasn’t born crippled, but due to someone else mistakes, he became cripple. To finish it up, he lived in a place considered a ghetto town in Biblical times; Named Lo-Debar, a place of desolation, isolation, and separation. Now going back to the mints. I asked who wanted to have some. I took the small box, tore open the protective paper, pried open the boxes, took a mint, and put it inside my mouth. Closed my eyes and enjoyed the freshness that I felt inside my mouth. I was showing the girls that it was safe to have a mint. Each one of them took the mints and put them inside their mouth. After a few seconds, I asked if they liked it. To share the taste and the feeling inside their mouth. Refreshing, clean, and minty, were some of the answers I got back. The Lord wants to do the same in your life. But we need to want. Reach out and get what he had to offer us. pry open our hearts and let his sweet presence, clean us up. From the inside out. Life has not been fair to us. We have been cripple, left behind. shame, guilt, and resentment had kept us in a place of isolation, desolation, separation, and desperation. We had reached rock bottom. But God. In His love and mercy for us, He has sent His son Jesus Christ to die and to look for us. Today we could sit at the banquet table. Which covers our cripple legs. No longer living in a place of despair and hurt. But truly living a life of freedom in Him. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. Forgiveness is at hand, but you have to want it. God wants to take you from the house of shame to the house of freedom, peace, and restoration. He wants to bring you in. Would you let him? Would you raise your hand and ask him to come in your heart? My prayer is that you would welcome him into your heart and your life. Ivette Diaz-Yee March 2024