This morning I was sick so did not attend church. I did though, have an AMAZING morning with the Lord. Basking in His unconditional love for me, His grace, and through knowing and accepting those two things, His healing as well. I woke up a second time feeling rejuvenated beyond belief! If you know me and the health struggles I have had the last few weeks you will share in my praise to God for a morning of energy and healing and peace! I did not start my morning out thinking I was going to intentionally spend time with the Lord--but don't you know Him and His constant pursing of our hearts, that a morning with Him is exactly what I got.
Needing some background noise I turned on Netflix and clicked on the first movie it recommended for me, which happened to be Fireproof. Assuming I would fall back asleep, it didn't matter to me really what was on. I had never seen Fireproof except 10 minutes of the beginning in a movie theater long before I knew Christ. And the acting was so off-putting to me at the time that I just walked out and snuck into another theater (again, I did not know the Lord haha). But today was different, seeing things with different eyes (my Jesus Goggles as I've been known to refer to them), every message of love and grace and redemption and healing in the movie screamed loud and clear. My heart was overwhelmed at the end with this JOY and LOVE GOO haha. So, instead of tearing the movie a part for some poor casting choices, I have a new respect of the symbolism and the meaning behind this film. And, although I am several years late to the Fireproof party--I would love to share with you some of the things that touched me the most.
One of my favorite images of this film is when Caleb is pulling a little girl out of the burning house. His fierce drive and determination not to let her family down or give up on saving this little girl's life, is basically what the whole movie is about. Not letting go or giving up on love, because it's worth fighting for and worth saving. Always. This character was so quick to jump in and rescue people in burning buildings but when it came to his own life and his marriage, he was quicker to just give up and walk away. Until he realized what true love is, and then realized that you never leave your partner in a burning building. Then he fought like crazy to rescue his love. There is another picture I love, after Caleb has realized his desire to fight for his marriage. His wife is sick, and he brings her food. He checks her temperature. He is by her side, regardless of the fact that she doesn't really want him there and regardless of the fact that in that moment he was getting nothing in return. But instead, unconditionally loving her. I kept hearing the words, "for better or worse" while watching this scene, and so humbled at his changed heart toward his wife.
In that same scene, he gets on his knees, and with tears in his eyes-he asks for her forgiveness, and tells her how sorry he is for all that he has done and the many ways he has wronged her. This act of seeking forgiveness and righting wrongs was relevant throughout the film as Caleb later did this with his mother. Seeing him looking into their eyes and really seeking forgiveness for how he has hurt them was again, humbling and so moving to see.
Caleb's father played a significant role in this movie--he was the one who sent him the Love Dare, he was the one who continuously rooted for and prayed for his marriage, and he was there during his conversation at the cross. Physically they are at a wooden cross but also spiritually, they have the conversation that leads to Caleb's decision to follow Christ and surrender his life over to God. So in the end, when Caleb and Katherine's marriage is reconciled, there is a small scene you see where the dad gets the phone call and rejoices for his son. In that moment, I knew that's exactly what our Heavenly Father does too. Rejoices for our decisions to love, to stay, to fight, and to be honorable in our relationships to bring glory to the Father.
I was in tears almost the entire movie, and although I am not married, I dropped to the floor and prayed after it was over--for a man whose heart is taken by the Lord. For a man who will lead me closer to the cross each day we are together. For a man who will fight for our marriage always, and always seek to be an honorable man who loves me because he knows how much he is loved by our Father.
If you haven't seen the movie, I definitely recommend you to do so. And after it is over, drop to your knees and share with Papa what He knows is already on your heart. Then bask in his love and healing. Lastly, spread the love goo that you are receiving from sweet baby Jesus to everyone you encounter!!!
Light and Love,
Meg
"Love is a shelter
In a raging storm
Love is peace
In the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight
But it's something worth fighting for"
