Life is Hard, BUT GOD is in Control

By: Ahmad Alexander

As a young child, I was hit by a truck, left in a coma and not expected to survive. The doctors told my parents that I would not survive. My mom had other ideas and let's just say, she stood on the Word of God! She spoke scripture over me saying “He shall live and not die!” (John 11:25) Although the doctors counted me dead, God had other plans! After much prayer, I awoke from the coma. I was resilient and I overcame adversity while undergoing multiple years of speech therapy and rehabilitation services. Life was hard BUT GOD was in control.

As I fast-forward to parenthood, God has shown himself strong on numerous occasions. As a parent and an Audiologist, I have been a strong advocate for my own first-born son, Elijah, who was born with a hearing loss. I've even had to save Elijah's life in his early toddler years as he choked on a peppermint, turned blue in the face, his eyes rolled up in his head and his arms stiff to the side. Life was hard BUT GOD took control.

I've been fortunate to have served in numerous jobs and settings which provided me with a wide array of experiences in helping others. I've worked as a respite and personal care assistant, a childcare worker at a Juvenile Justice Facility, served in humanitarian and relief efforts and have even worked in clinical settings and hospitals.

Although I have faced various trials and tribulations throughout life, even since my own childhood, and have helped to give back in other facets of life, none of my prior experiences prepared me for what I would encounter on September 15, 2015. My wife gave birth to a handsome little boy named Titus Emmanuel Alexander. Titus was born in Amberg, Germany at 24 weeks of gestation. He graced this earth with his presence for one-hour and nine minutes before being called home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although Titus was here on earth for but a moment, he is and will be in the presence of God for all of eternity. Life became extremely hard BUT GOD was still sovereign. He remained in absolute control.

Titus' life (and home-going) is the inspiration that led to the formation of Anchored Soul. We have been led by the Holy Spirit to serve and comfort those who have experienced the recent loss of a young child and those with children in long-term healthcare such as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our purpose and heart's desire is to help provide the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit by avenue of Anchored Soul.

My experience with the "lost" of my son, or what I would call the home-going celebration, is unique and differs in that I am sharing my heart from a dad's perspective. Dad's grieve too and although often times in secret, we need comforting and the love of Christ to be poured out on us as well. Dad's are expected to be the backbone, the rock, and the anchor... and although some are able to carry that weight, Jesus is the only Rock who can provide everyone with firm footing and solid ground. He says,

Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you … for my burden is easy and my yoke is light. Matthew 11:28-30