The Rebirth of the Trampled Rose

A plethora of green fields embellished by a seemingly intentional scatter of nature’s colorful wildflower embroidery, ranging from coneflowers; blazing star to rock rose amongst numerous others, covered the veld slow dancing to the tune of the afternoon Summer breeze. An overabundance of high rolling hills adorned evergreen shrubbery bushes as they proudly stood guard as strong fortresses surrounding the countryside’s haven of raw beauty. Birds sang a happy song as they winged across the clear blue sky; squirrels squeaked while hopping around in search for the next meal to feed their young. A cheerful bark and occasional snorting from a large boerboel dog disturbed the tranquil harmony of the veld. The warm afternoon rays caressed Chase’s honey-brown fur ever so gently causing a flow of a molten gold appearance with each confident macho gait he took as he rapidly wagged his stubby tail alongside his owner, Axel Gonzales. It is certainly a beautiful afternoon on the Veddington country side persuading Axel to take a little longer than usual on today’s afternoon walk with his furry companion. Axel savoured the pure afternoon air as he relished the warm sensation of the sun against his sun-kissed complexion. As they strolled through the field, many thoughts penetrated Axel’s mind as he absorbed his glorious surroundings. Although he had walked through these grasslands from the time he bought this property due to his fervent interest in farming, he was still awestruck and captivated by the glorious splendour of creation. It was almost as if nature had something new to share with him every time. In the existence of creation, it became apparent in his mind that it’s evidence that there definitely is a Creator. Divine Intelligence has to be for everything to exist in such a perfect way. All life is evidence that there is a God. His heart bled for anyone who believed otherwise. He stopped for a short while drinking his surroundings anew, in his moment of admiration, he prayed, “Father God, as You are the One who reveals Yourself to us, I ask that You reveal Yourself in the hearts of those who do not know that You live. I thank You that it is done, in Jesus name. Amen!” Axel loved the Lord, he was fortunate to grow up in a family of believing believers who had not only taught him about God but also demonstrated through their own lives how one lives as a Christian. This encouraged him from a young age to establish his own personal relationship with the Lord. Today he’s a 33 year old man with wisdom beyond his years and standards above that of the world which he accredited to God. He is now a very wealthy man because of that. He understood as a young boy to never embrace a lifestyle of making mistakes because mistakes are costly. He knew that God is gracious and would help him recover from any mistake he made, but he also understood that it takes time to recover from those mistakes, sometimes it takes years. So he knew he had to be intentional with everything he did, and to do it with excellence for a desirable outcome. Although such an outcome may not always be, it’s better to have put your best foot forward. He understood that life is short and passes very quickly, so he learned to become sharp in the decisions he made. He was very purposeful and decisive in his dealings. Due to his unwavering character, he founded a multi-million dollar company that deals with real estate in both land and buildings and also in construction, Gonzales Holdings. Furthermore, he always desired to possess his own farming property, which he managed to purchase in recent years. Rolling Hills Farm had livestock and numerous types of vegetation. He also found that the farm had oil and gas reserves which were a major bonus to the disadvantage of the previous owner who had no such knowledge when selling the property; he knew it was one of God’s many blessings upon his life. The man was extremely wealthy. Axel is a man’s man. He’s your cliché definition of ‘tall, dark and handsome’. He has a tall masculine frame that exuded authority with captivating brown orbs framed by a fan of long dark lashes accompanied by an intimidating stare that rendered you torn between being reeled into their depths or timidly looking away. Thick man-bush elegantly manicured brows feathered above his eyes. He had high perfectly situated cheekbones that left models grimacing with envy and a flawlessly chiseled jawline carpeted by dark heavy stubble. His platinum blonde hair was carelessly tossed in a messy man-bun with his sides neatly trimmed. The man’s physique was stacked with muscle as undisputable evidence that he takes care of his body. As gorgeous as he is, he never allowed that to make him arrogant. He maintained his humility and continued to build his inner-self to surpass his exterior for he understood that looks fade but an excellent soul lasts an eternity. He never allowed himself to meditate on the numerous women that made subtle or bold advances on him; all he was interested in was finding his future wife. He knew most women were interested in his success or his looks if not both; it was all just about status. He wanted more. The afternoon sun was beginning to set, Axel resumed walking, picking up his pace consequentially tugging Chase who had been leisurely l*****g his paws as he rubbed his brown coat against his owners bare legs. The disruption caused the dog to whine in response to his master’s abrupt movement. Axel noticed, “Sorry buddy, we gotta get home before sundown”, he said with his deep husky voice while his legs propelled forward tightly holding onto the dog’s leash. As they walked back in unison the pair oozed masculinity. When he finally entered his farm mansion home, he was met by his butler, Brandon Gear at the foyer, the matured slicked-back grey haired man looking ever so formal in a pitch black suit and polished shiny black shoes. He wore a stern deadpan façade lightly softened by a tranquil ocean of warmth emanating blue depths. “Good evening, Mr. Gonzales”, greeted Brandon welcoming his boss as he closed the large steel framed glass bi-fold doors behind him. Cool brown walnut wooden flooring covered the surface, indoor plants aesthetically arranged nigh tall clean white walls meeting high ceilings bejewelled by a massive crystal chandelier that gloriously hung from the centre imitating New York City’s night skyline. Axel was crouched next to Chase carefully removing the boerboel’s collar, quickly combing his fingers through the fuzzy coat gaining a grunt from the dog. “Good boy”, approved Axel as his full lips curled into a broad smile flashing his pearly whites. “Evening Brandon, did I receive any important messages while I was gone?” he asked standing up while Chase sat snuggling at his master’s sneaker clad feet. “Yes sir, Don Parker from your management team at the company called. He wishes to call an urgent impromptu meeting with you due to an untenable situation that occurred which could be detrimental to the company. He could not reach you on your cellphone”, informed Brandon. Axel’s countenance altered to one of annoyance, he deeply inhaled running his large calloused palm across his face. “Thank you Brandon. Call Parker informing him that I will personally go to the company tomorrow morning at 9am. Right now, I have other things to see to, I appointed him to take care of such tasks without my being involved”, he answered peevishly. “Of course, I will get right to it”, Brandon nodded. Brandon inspected his young boss with peculiar interest as he watched him process the news. Regardless of their professional relationship, he had grown very fond of Axel over the years. The young sir had a warm pure heart but he was also a very stringent and assertive man for his generation. He noted that Axel had a no tolerance attitude for mediocrity. He initially failed to comprehend how one could effortlessly be an amalgamation of such intensity and cordiality. Previously, he hadn’t the honour of encountering anyone like him. In fact, he expected his wealthy employer to be an arrogant, self-absorbed, shallow minded, underwhelming nutcase with deep pockets and a deprived heart. To his astonishment, Axel was a man of commendable character. Although he is a business mogul requiring excellence from all his employees in carrying out their respective functions, he was still an impartial man. He remunerated fairly above industry minimum wages incentivizing his employees to always go the extra mile. Many people desired to be employed at Gonzales Holdings. Being employed at such a company was not merely a job but an achievement in itself as Gonzales solely hired the finest candidates. Through Axel’s unwavering character and calibre, he knew there must be a God. It was through the testimonial life of Axel that Brandon was defeated in his ridicule of believing in some God somewhere. He always dismissed the superficially gloomy concept concluding that God is a fabricated coping mechanism for failures in one’s miserable life or a figment of one’s dumb imagination. Initially he had an inner battle of faith in God against his years of logic. He finally gave in when all evidence pointed to the existence of God in the life of Axel as the young man was an unwavering believer in Christ Jesus. It became apparent that God is not an intrusive Being as he observed the young man’s consistent pursuit of God as he always enjoyed His Lord’s presence but never satisfied with just one encounter. He saw that God only comes into a person’s life when He is invited to be Lord in that individual’s life as Jesus was without a doubt a welcomed Lord in Axel’s life. He continually witnessed Axel handling joy quenching life challenges and spirit crushing trials with incomprehensible peace. At first he assumed the young man had a minor mental condition to not break under such crippling pressures, however, as he studied Axel, Brandon realised that something was strangely different about Axel as he’d come out of these trials even stronger with a sharpened mind and softer heart. Axel had a life of undeniable victory and Brandon knew it can never be the young man’s sole doing. It blew the gaffers mind gradually changing his mind about God as he was old enough and having seen plenty in his life to know that the Jesus Axel boasts about certainly lives. He now understood that all God does is knock at the door of people’s hearts through the preaching of the Gospel or other channels. But He never bulldozes in. Once you do that He’ll be as real to you as your closest companion. Your life is never the same again! He was thrilled when he discovered that Jesus said, “I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me”. He fit the description of “anyone” and now he solemnly testifies to that truth. Ever since that defeat, he has established his own relationship with God. For that, he will be eternally grateful to Axel for being a true ambassador that God lives and loves all people. “Is there anything else sir?” he asked waiting patiently for a reply as Axel composed himself. “Ah, yes. I won’t be having supper today. I’m still satisfied by my late lunch. Just send me a cup of coffee and a light snack later on, I’ll have it in my office. Prepare something for Chase”, he firmly responded. “As you wish, sir.” “Thank you Brandon!” Axel said as he walked towards the staircase to his bedroom with a need to shower before getting some work done. Chase as the loyal dog he is was at his master’s heels following him up the winding staircase. Later that evening Axel sat on his recliner absorbed in his study of the bible. He treasured the Word of God since he became empowered to live above the standards of the world and his character was progressively being built as he continually immersed himself in the teachings of God. A lone tear ran down his masculine cheek as he reminisced on all that God has done for him, on every journey that God has seen him through. He didn’t wish to know what his life would have been like without God and he was grateful that he’d never know. He quickly wiped his eye, and lifted his free arm up to heaven with a heart over pouring with gratitude he said, “Father in heaven I thank you for loving me. I thank you for Your glorious hand upon my life. You’re an amazing God! You’ve been the confidence since my youth. You’re the anchor of my soul and Your joy gives me strength. It’s in YOU that I live and move and have my being. You’re my rock and my Strength. Lord You’re worthy to be praised. I worship You!”, he got up from his recliner and went on his knees as tears of joy and gratitude streamed down his face, he did not care. The true experience of God’s love makes tough grown men cry! He placed his hands on his thighs and wept before the Lord, he opened his mouth continuing to pour out praise, “You are the Christ, the One Whom they prophesied, You are the all sufficient Saviour, the One Who died on the cross for my sake, the Saviour of the world, the one who takes away all my diseases, Lord You are the Lilly of the Valley, the Lion in the tribe of Judah, Lord You are Wonderful Councilor, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace! Lord You are a mighty God, my Provider, my Hiding Place. Yes Lord! Hallelujah! You are the Way, the Truth and the Life! Your Name is above every other name. Every knee shall bow and confess that You are Lord. Wooooooh! Glory be to God!” Suddenly, the presence of the Lord engulfed him like a blanket of warmth that no man can provide. Instantly he was filled with overflowing joy and peace beyond worldly comprehension and he began to chuckle uncontrollably which built to an outburst of laughter as he enjoyed the experiential presence of the Holy Spirit. The experience was absolutely marvelous. One desire tugged at his heart, the desire to have a godly wife. He wanted her to be his companion in Christ and possess godly character. He wanted someone who would love the Lord. A life partner to live life with. As he prepared for bed he said, “Father Your Word says, ‘it is not good for man to be alone’, and that ‘whatever we ask for when we pray, if we believe we’ve received it, it will be ours’. So I ask for a suitable wife who loves You. In Jesus name! Thank You that as I ask and not doubt in my heart that it is done as You prescribed. You are making a way for me where there seems to be no way. Thank You that divorce is not my portion in Jesus name. Amen!” Axel got into bed with a contented heart. His eyes fluttered closed as he drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Meanwhile an angel of the Lord was deployed from Heaven at Axel’s word on a mission to manifest his prayer request as angels are servants for those who are to inherit salvation. The Almighty’s answer to His children’s prayers is, “Yes and So it shall be”; a wife he requests, a wife he will get.