Fierce Love
All day long I have been praying for a young man named Alex Powell who was in a car accident very recently. He is in critical condition, receiving care in a hospital well-known for its trauma care facilities so I know he is getting good care. But I have been talking to Father and asking for comfort, healing, miraculous recovery and restoration, compassion, mercy, and love to pour over Alex and his family and friends.
Ten years ago I met Alex while volunteering in student ministries at church - he was in the 6th grade and he made me smile all the time. He had a mischievous nature that could sometimes be disruptive but it was always funny and endearing to me. It was hard not to laugh when he did things and I feel certain he knew he was entertaining me with his antics. I grew to love his heart through that year and was always glad to see him, praying for him from time to time. Several years ago, on the Sunday at church when they paraded all of the high school graduates across the stage to cheer them on and present them with new Bibles, Alex stood on the stage at attention in a military dress uniform. I was so glad to see him and rejoiced with Father in his presence there that day.
I kept praying for him as Father would bring him to mind and just a couple of months ago I saw him at a restaurant in our neighborhood. He was with a few other guys his age, having fun, still with that mischievous gleam in his eye! I wasn't real sure it was him but studied him until I felt pretty certain it was Alex. But I didn't get a chance to talk to him. And I've seen him there a time or two since - in fact, just last week. But I never crossed the room to engage him in conversation. I wish I had. Just so I could see his smile up close and let him know I remembered him and still care. But just watching him from across the restaurant made me smile!
So today as I have prayed, Father has given me pictures of how He loves Alex and is caring for him in this difficult time. The one that struck my heart and brought me to tears was a picture of fierceness - the kind described in Isaiah 49. It is the kind of fierce love that grabs a person - almost roughly - and pulls them tight and says, "I will not let go of you!" It was much like Danny Glover and Mel Gibson at the end of Lethal Weapon 5 where they are on the tanker and have just exploded the crate full of cash. Mel is laying on the deck riddled with bullets and shrapnel and Danny grabs him and pulls him close and says things to him about how he can't leave or go away - or something like that. And Mel, being a bit mischievous - like Alex - says something kind of funny and lets Danny know he's okay. That is how Father is holding Alex - with fierce love that will not let him go. I hope soon Alex will read this and remember what that felt like so he can tell me about it.
Be praying for Alex, please. And for his family and friends. I'm smiling thinking about him but crying at the same time at his situation - yet knowing he's in good hands, I'm certain he's thinking something mischievous...
Isaiah 49:24 Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives rescued from the fierce? 25 But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.
Amy
Ten years ago I met Alex while volunteering in student ministries at church - he was in the 6th grade and he made me smile all the time. He had a mischievous nature that could sometimes be disruptive but it was always funny and endearing to me. It was hard not to laugh when he did things and I feel certain he knew he was entertaining me with his antics. I grew to love his heart through that year and was always glad to see him, praying for him from time to time. Several years ago, on the Sunday at church when they paraded all of the high school graduates across the stage to cheer them on and present them with new Bibles, Alex stood on the stage at attention in a military dress uniform. I was so glad to see him and rejoiced with Father in his presence there that day.
I kept praying for him as Father would bring him to mind and just a couple of months ago I saw him at a restaurant in our neighborhood. He was with a few other guys his age, having fun, still with that mischievous gleam in his eye! I wasn't real sure it was him but studied him until I felt pretty certain it was Alex. But I didn't get a chance to talk to him. And I've seen him there a time or two since - in fact, just last week. But I never crossed the room to engage him in conversation. I wish I had. Just so I could see his smile up close and let him know I remembered him and still care. But just watching him from across the restaurant made me smile!
So today as I have prayed, Father has given me pictures of how He loves Alex and is caring for him in this difficult time. The one that struck my heart and brought me to tears was a picture of fierceness - the kind described in Isaiah 49. It is the kind of fierce love that grabs a person - almost roughly - and pulls them tight and says, "I will not let go of you!" It was much like Danny Glover and Mel Gibson at the end of Lethal Weapon 5 where they are on the tanker and have just exploded the crate full of cash. Mel is laying on the deck riddled with bullets and shrapnel and Danny grabs him and pulls him close and says things to him about how he can't leave or go away - or something like that. And Mel, being a bit mischievous - like Alex - says something kind of funny and lets Danny know he's okay. That is how Father is holding Alex - with fierce love that will not let him go. I hope soon Alex will read this and remember what that felt like so he can tell me about it.
Be praying for Alex, please. And for his family and friends. I'm smiling thinking about him but crying at the same time at his situation - yet knowing he's in good hands, I'm certain he's thinking something mischievous...
Isaiah 49:24 Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives rescued from the fierce? 25 But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.
Amy
Amy's words and writing style makes me just melt.
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You are a true brother, Rob!!! Bless you!!!
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Amy,
It's always a joy to read your thoughful, tender, yet firm words. Keep writing, we're reading. :)
Dave
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Thanks so much for the encouragement, friend. MUCH!
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