What’s In a Name

Sometimes you step off a curb and you land, unbeknownst to you, right smack dab into the middle of destiny. “What is he thinking, Karen?What person in their right mind would have us gather at 1:00 in July? I’m telling you right now that I am happy to pray for the city and for the nation, but we will probably not stay long!” Karen added, “Yea, and besides, the most important question is, where are we gonna have lunch? 1:00 does not leave time for a proper dining experience at the promised land, Chick-Fil-A!

The Republican National Convention was scheduled to gather in Jacksonville in July of 2020. Because of looming violence scattered throughout the nation, many intercessors were being led downtown to pray for peace and God’s protection for our city.

We arrived at Vystar Arena and counter intuitively spent hours in the Florida summer day. It was comfortably temperate, surprisingly enjoyable. We prayed and worshipped, decreed and declared. Karen and I enjoyed ourselves so much that we coaxed several friends to join us on succeeding nights. That was the beginning of a three way friendship.

Holy Spirit would speak so clearly and concisely concerning you. “Go home.” “Leave.” “Go. You could go walking with Karen.” Etc. And that’s how things proceeded until Sept. 4th. We told you it was one of our birthdays. You guessed over and over again that it was Karen’s despite there being another option available.

Sept. 4th was my birthday and your mediation for divorce. I knew all too well what was going on in your life. I shared freely all that I had learned and observed when my family was rearranged. To my great surprise you listened to everything I was communicating. I imagined piloting your boat through the straits. “Avoid those rocks. Turn left right there. Throw that overboard to lessen the load.” I was floored how I watched in real time God touch, heal and strengthen your heart.

I didn’t know men like you, with such integrity and love for God, existed. Was this a dream? When did you become a part of everyday? I wondered. God had me well trained to listen and obey. He asked me one week before your divorce was completely finalized, “Deborah, do you hate divorce?”

”Yes, Father, I hate divorce.”

“Then pray that I would restore his marriage.” I knew that if He answered my prayer, I would be happy for you, but we would no longer be friends. I would walk right and you would walk left.

“Father, if it is according to Your will, I pray that you would restore Dean’s marriage. Amen.” I meant it.

Late January, you were no longer married. My step-father Richard’s health was irrevocably and rapidly declining. I don’t even know how it transpired, but you were there, right in the middle of my childhood home, filling the rooms with music. My mother drew a particular comfort and energy from the the songs expressing her love for him in the days preceding his final breathe. After the funeral, you entertained the entire family. How could I thank you for utilizing your gifts to soothe my whole tribe amidst this tragedy? By week’s end we had entered a courtship. Which you described as, “…I’m not dating you. This is not a trial run. I discern that God is putting us together for His purposes. A courtship means we are spending time getting to know each other with the goal of a marriage in the future.” Finally, we could talk on the phone and hug goodnight.

We have been to several funerals. We have ministered together. We helped a homeless woman the night Tom moved to heaven. You played guitar as I laid my hands on a drunk man and prayed destiny over him outside of Seawalk one Saturday night. “Father, I don’t lay my hands on men’s chests”, I whispered.

“It’s okay. This man needs that and Dean is near. You’re safe.”

We traveled to Georga to spend time with Donna and visit Chuck while he was still in the hospital. You kindly de-clogged the septic tank of the RV Donna slept in. You have brought me coffee at work, helped me move my classroom, made me beautiful personal rocks. You have consistently prayed for and ministered to my sick friends. You are more consistent and ferocious in intercession than I could ever hope to be. You worship anywhere and everywhere, and although that is how we all should be, you have paid dearly for your obedience.

You are kindhearted. You love everyone. I like animals, you love them. You sing in the midst of storms. You will get on your knees to look a child in the eyes. You are so steady, so calm, so even. I envy that. You are a hard worker, capable of pulling all-nighters and then you function pretty well the next day. How do you do that? You pray for me and for everyone that I treasure. You cook. You shop. You clean. I kid that, “Dean Lewis is a lucky man,” but I know, and you know that I know, that I am just as blessed. There are not many men on the planet with such pure hands and a pure heart.

What is in a name? So many powerful and amazing things are hidden in names. Tracy told us about the surname, “Lewis is maybe from the Isle of Wales, where the Hebrides revival took place. That revival went all over Wales and touched much of the world. Lewis is very Welsh/Celtic. It’s Hebrew counterpart would be Levi.” It is my great honor to discover all the amazing things that will unfold in our future as, I now bear your name.