And They All Bowed the Knee

In December Larry and Susan bought a different house that is closer to the jail. They moved mostly by themselves, and the constant bending, lifting, hauling, and toting really hurt Sue's knees. They ached and burned and just wouldn't work. She could barely stand up after sitting for any period of time. Then Larry broke his leg on December 24th, so that just added more pressure. Sue felt like she was 80, but kept on going…plodding and limping.

Meanwhile at the jail, Susan was teaching the women her Bible study called, “Following Jesus - 13 Biblical principles for freedom” on Wednesday afternoons. Susan always starts the 13 steps with Committing to follow Jesus as Lord and Master. She tells the women that without deciding that Jesus is truly Lord of your life, the other steps won't have any Spirit-driven power to make a difference. Sue had discussed that concept one Wednesday and had promised the women that at the next class she would give her own story of why Jesus is her Lord.

Well, that hour was packed with laughter and tears as Susan told story after story of God's incredible mercy and grace, and of His love and power manifested in the Jarvis family. From salvation and deliverance to Davy's birth and deciding to home school back in ‘92, to buying Margaret House and daily depending on God's faithful provision …she talked. The women listened, clearly moved and maybe even amazed. Toward the end, Susan felt an urgent touch by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate the Lordship of Jesus.

In a voice cracking with emotion, she read her favorite Bible passage, “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Tears slid down her cheeks as she confessed, “After all Jesus has done for me, how can I not call Him Lord? I love to bow my knee to Him.” At this, she sank down on her swollen, achy knee (and momentarily wondered how she would ever stand up again). “…In fact,” Sue continued, “if any of you feel the same way…and you've had a week to think about who He is…and now you know who He is to me…well, you can bow before Him right now with me and confess that He is your Lord.”

Some of the eleven girls were weeping. All of the girls slid forward out of their chairs and got on their knees. We all bowed our knees and then bowed our heads in prayer. It was a glorious moment…a glimmer of the homage that will be paid to our King at the throne. When it was over, Susan hopped up and hugged each girl.

She walked back down the long jail hallway and bounced into her chair joyfully.

She sat there praising the Lord for how He had just shown Himself. “Wait a minute,” Susan thought. “I just got up, zipped down the hall, and fell into my chair!” Susan stood up quickly, then sat down effortlessly. No problem. She stood up again and walked around her office. She sat back down and practically sang out… “Lord! Oh God, thank you! You've healed my knees!” Her Lord had given her the strength to bow her knee and then healed her so that she could stand back up to serve Him.