RIP Jane K Rhoades, my grandmother.

I have never figured out how to put somebody’s life into a few words as words cannot capture the value of a person and the love that they give.  That thought notwithstanding, I feel the compulsion to remember my Grandmother, Nini  with the written word and to share with those that want to read a small piece of the value she held in my heart.

Saturday, Feb 25^th of this year I was home with a few friends.  We were all busy doing some stuff that we enjoy together when my phone rang and although I did not recognize the number, I picked it up anyway.  It was my Uncle Mike calling me for Nini so I was quickly talking to her.  We had a longer than usual conversation as we spoke of all the fun we had together when I was 13.  The late night canasta games, her teaching me to drive and her dog Muffin.  We even joked about preparing a 100^th birthday party for her.  She was 96 and 100 was right around the corner.

When I think of Nini, I think of those times.  She truly saved my life when I was 13.  My mother and my soon to be new step father moved us up near Napa where she lived and she became a regular part of my life.  She came to my shows, picked me up and kept me for a weekend and took me out.  At her house I learned about Jack London and learned how to play Pinochle. I learned I was loved and safe there.  She even tried to discipline me when she found me lighting matches in the house.  That did not work out so well, but it became a fun memory for us to laugh about.  I still remember her voice that was the same if I scored a lot of point in cards, picked at her food when she was cooking or lighting matches I was not supposed to.  “Oooooh David…”  Always with that steady sense of humor that I loved so much.

In later life, as she moved up to Oregon and I was busy with raising a family we did not speak as much.  When we did we constantly remembered our time together all those years ago and constantly reminded each other how much we loved each other and valued the other. 

Soon after our phone call, I don’t know if it was minutes or hours, my grandmother, Nini, Jane K Rhoades, had a heart attack.  She slipped into a coma and passed away a few days later.  According to my Uncle I was the last person she spoke to.  She went quietly and peacefully and she was ready to go.  My uncle said she was anxious to see what was on the other side.  I will miss my grandmother.  I know how much she loved me and I loved her just as much.  Rest in Peace Nini and I will see you when I get there.

The Faith of Job

I have been thinking about Job and about character.  Many of us, myself included will go through hard times easier if there is a reason, but when something happens to us and we don’t understand, often the response is to get angry and to blame God. 
It may be that later, when we are through the trial, we realize that God used even our toughest times and we see His hand guiding and protecting us, but faith in that moment is hard to come by.  When we cry out to God it is for Him to do something or to change our circumstance, not in praise or thanksgiving.  We seem to go through life with the feeling that God can use us how He wants to, as long as it does not make us TO uncomfortable.

This was not the case with Job.  He had both great faith and great loyalty to God.  He truly believed that God could use him and his life anyway he chose.  In the beginning he had a great life; 10 kids that he loved the respect of the city and great wealth.  He was considered the greatest man of the East at that time and he was also an encourager of those that were discouraged.  When all of this was taken away he simply praised God and acknowledged the Lord’s will.  He lost his kids and his wealth all in the same day through several different situations.  Then he developed boils on his body and became very depressed.  In all of this he did not question the will of God.  God responded by healing him, restoring his wealth and doubling it and giving him a greater family.  The scars remained from his experience, but the bible records that the latter half of his life was even greater than the former part.  Job trusted and believed God with his entire life and in all of his pain he did not sin.  The Faith of Job is something to strive for.

Dollars and Sense

Money,

A friend of mine once said that Man is a 4 part being.  Body, soul, spirit and pocket book.  If you have ever had a heated conversation about giving then you will know what he is talking about.  Money is seen so many ways and has such a strong impact for something so temporary.  It is so necessary for life here, but it is clearly something that we cannot take with us after we go.  Many of us will even see our lives as success or failure based on the dollars we earn.  Money has certainly been a difficult part of my life.  As I sit here we are having many financial difficulties, but both my wife and I are in faith that God is moving.  Last June I wrote this:

Our declaration as a family:

Life has been difficult over the past two years.  The end result of hard times was the loss of a business, bankruptcy, the loss of our house and going from having a net worth of just under 1 million to having no assets and owing the IRS over $20,000.  I took a job about a year ago as the IT Manager of a startup and this week was told that my job is ending on the 16^th due to a lack of funds.  The only one left in the company after I leave is the CEO and he is not taking a salary any more.  I will have no job and no income with not have enough resources for the rent or food or gas.

I don’t say this to have self pity,  I have had enough of that.  I say that to paint a picture of where we are today.  My wife and I had stopped tithing when we were between churches for a while.  We started tithing again recently and then this happened.  Today I am writing a Prequel.  With the check I just received I am tithing this Sunday.  And with my last check I will tithe.  I have decided that it is time to trust Mal. 3.10  Today I am putting God to the test and I am thanking and praising Him now, because I have faith that He will do great things.  He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory, not according to my need, but according to His riches.

I write this as a declaration.  This is something that I will shout and declare and praise him and thank him for the answer before my eyes see it.  My faith sees His hand moving on our behalf.   Feel free to post this, read this and help me declare the salvation and provision of God.  Let me challenge all of those that are struggling.  Let me challenge them to take their last dollar and plant it as a seed in His work.  As for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.

David Rhoades

06-03-2011

Since then we have seen many miracles and even though I am still not working, I am praising God for his provision and what we have seen and been given.  I see my financial situation through the eyes of faith and know that God is blessing us and I praise and thank him for the opportunity to have faith and to give to others even when our need is great.