Apr
29
2013
The Gentle Rescuer
Posted in Salvation 4 Comments
I have been married for thirty one (and a half) years to my high school sweetheart.
A quiet man…an engineer…with an engineer brain.
A good foil for my creative side.
The two brain hemispheres became one.
He was always so good at math and science when we were in school.
I was always good at English and writing.
I was in the school plays…usually in the chorus.
He was on stage crew…up in the fly…above the stage.
Our school had performed Funny Girl when we were both juniors.
The age my youngest daughter is now!
Two large staircases were built to resemble the actual set.
We had to climb up a ladder in the back of the staircase.
Once at the top, we walked down the stairs gracefully.
The allusion of theater.
As I was climbing up the ladder, I could look up into the fly and see him.
He would be perched on the catwalk ready to raise or lower some scenery.
Graduation came and he went off to Georgia Tech for engineering.
I stayed here and commuted to college while working at a bank.
I settled their ATM machines, after hours, with a group of people.
The perfect job for a college student.
Summer came, I worked at the bank every day as a bank teller.
He worked on a large estate, painting the barn and other buildings.
He was always handy and repaired many of the things that needed to be done.
He took me swimming at the estate in a spring fed pool…with a water wheel.
What a lovely day!
I will always remember being so surprised when the man’s dog swam with us!
A four lane road was the only way to get to the estate.
Not a highway…but a road where you traveled 45 miles and hour.
I remember vividly this one occasion.
He was driving down the road and saw something up ahead.
As he got nearer, he saw it was an injured bird…still alive…struggling.
He pulled his car over to the shoulder…and put the emergency flashers on.
He walked across three lanes of traffic to get the bird.
Once safely in his hands, he went to the side of the road and put in down on the grass.
The bird was more stunned than injured.
At least, placed on the grass, it would not get hit by an oncoming car.
That was it.
Nothing more.
He walked back across the three lanes of traffic…got in his car…and went on his way.
My husband.
The gentle rescuer.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not your life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
(Matthew 6:25-27)
This incident endeared me even more to my soon-to-be husband.
He has been successful in his work and in his life.
When the weight of the world is on his shoulders, as the provider for our family, I mentally go back to that four lane road and the injured bird…and remember.
That is who my husband is…underneath…always.
That is who God is…through and through…always.
We are like that bird…injured on the side of the road…struggling.
God the Father, who always sees, sent His son Jesus to rescue us.
Jesus, the Gentle Rescuer.
Jesus, who left His home…to walk across the road…and save us.
Jesus, who carries us in His arms…to safety.
Jesus, the Mighty Redeemer.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one.
Jesus will never leave us on the side of the road in our sin.
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
As we lay struggling, with no one to rescue us…we call His Name.
JESUS…save me!
He will…when you call to Him in faith.
He is delighted to save!
The Gentle Rescuer.
The Mighty Redeemer.
Struggle on the side of the road no longer.
This was just beautiful Gina!
Thank you, Melissa.
It is a precious memory to me.
Gina
Gina,
Thanks that was wonderful your gift for writing is a treasure. What a wonderful tool to go back to the thoughts and remember what is good. It reminds me of the scripture in Phillipians whatsoever things are good, lovely and of good reporte think of thiese things then the peace of God will come. We often think of the hurts and your story is a “Gentle Reminder” to dwell on what is good.
Carol,
Since you know Michael, this is a story to tuck away.
Yes…the good and the lovely.
I miss you. Give my love to Jay.
I pray God will open a door for you and I to catch up…SOON.
Gina