Beauty from Ashes -The Profound Power of Love, Contentment, & Second Chances- Episode 44

Gigi explores the lives of an extraordinary couple whose world was turned upside down by a medical tragedy. Despite the extreme challenges and brutal loss- they believe this experience was the best thing that ever happened to them!  Demonstrating the importance of finding  love, peace, and contentment in the difficulties and see how God can transform our hardships for our good. Ultimately, it all comes down to perspective. 

Resources Mentioned:

The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMqeMcIO_9w&feature=youtu.be

 Scriptures:

 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Philippians 4:12

Romans 8:28

 Suggested Worship- “The Lord Will Provide” by Landon Wolfe

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Transcript

Aloha ladies. Welcome back. 

 C.S. Lewis once said, “ You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” 

 Such words of wisdom.   Such truth. 

 I see this truth play out in the life of a remarkable man as  I’ve watched his documentary many times- *The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis.   

 His story will forever change you.  

 It is raw, tragic, gruesome, fierce, and yet beautiful, uplifting, and powerful.   

 In 2013, Alex Lewis, at the age of 33, came down with what he thought was just a cold- maybe the flu.    But when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, he was diagnosed with Strep A and Septicaemia and given only a 3% chance of survival. His family had to make impossible choices as his tissue began to die at an alarming rate; doctors were forced to amputate all of his limbs, part of his nose, and his lips.   He went from a healthy man standing six feet tall to a man three foot ten with no arms, no legs, and in desperate need of facial reconstruction. A father who loved more than anything to cuddle and kiss his 3-year-old son now faced a future where something so simple seemed impossible. 

 His is a story of tenacity and second chances.  

 But it is also a story of contentment - as you hear from his partner, Lucy, and her choice to love no matter the circumstances.  

 It is a story of beauty from ashes.    

 Each time I watch this documentary, I marvel at them both. What they will tell you is that what seemed like their greatest tragedy was actually their greatest triumph! 

 You see, Alex would tell you looking back to where he was- unmarried, restless, a functioning alcoholic, landlord, and pub owner who spent his days drinking from noon to 2 a.m. and taking his greatest pleasure in his wardrobe to a man that was given a second chance.   Falling ill was his saving grace- his opportunity to do things better.   A second chance that he acknowledges doesn't happen for everyone.    This seeming tragedy was the very thing that transformed him into a man of moderation, resilience, fortitude, and determination.   A man whose son can be proud of him- a man who even climbed Ethiopia's highest mountain as a quad amputee.  

 Yet, it wasn't just his life that was transformed—but his partner, Lucy's. Lucy was a woman who, for years, wanted to be married and continued to wait patiently, never fully knowing when or if a change would ever come. She saw the father of her child wasting his life with little to no ambition for anything. Even in the face of such a radical and devasting life change, she stood fast.  

 Here’s what she said:

 "I'm sure people do still think it. Why am I still with him? Why? I absolutely love it, and it's the first time that I've ever loved anybody as much as I've loved anybody. You know what? When I got with Alex, I didn't care who he was as long as A) he made me smile and B) he made me a cup of tea each morning. Now, the cup of tea in the morning has gone. But he still makes me smile. He argues and questions me, and he's the only one that does that. So yeah, love.   Not because he has nice legs. Shocking legs. So, I don’t really care about the legs.   Just love.“

 Here's what I see in her words- she chose to love and be content no matter the circumstances.

 They are married now. Still together- a family of three.   

 Facing the world motivated by love.    Motivated to live. To press through all the hardships. The financial difficulties. The things that look impossible! 

 They spent years in the pursuit of rebuilding their lives – but not back to where they started.  

 No, to something better. Lucy and Alex got to rewrite their story.  From the place of tragedy.

 Love. Life. Attitude. Mindset. Perspective. Contentment.   

 NO MATTER WHAT! 

 As I look at their lives, I see a parallel to the Apostle Paul.     Paul himself describes his life as a missionary in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27:  

 “Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.  Five different times, the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.  Three times, I was beaten with rods. Once, I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once, I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.  I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.  I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”

 Yet, even while he is imprisoned in Rome, he writes: 

 “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” (Phil.4:12)

 Paul accomplished much during his trials of adversity. He wrote much of the New Testament, witnessed miracles, and brought prison guards to salvation—all from inside a prison cell.   

 The adversity becomes the catalyst of change.   The moment when everything pivots and shifts to something even better!    Knowing, seeing, and believing God's word that says that God can work ALL things together for our good!   (Romans 8:28)

 All things-  even the tragic.   

 Ladies:   No matter what happens in your life.  The adversity, the trials, the bad medical report, the illnesses, the setbacks, the disappointments, the betrayals.  All of the hardships.   All of it is possible to still be content.  It's a choice…. to choose to see the bigger picture, live, love, put your faith into action, and trust that God will work it all out for your good!  He's done it many, many times before, and He is faithful to do it again!    Because He is the author of turning ashes into new life.   All you have to do is look for it! 

 If you ever need inspiration, I challenge you to watch The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis on YouTube- you won’t be the same!