HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROCKY RHOADES!
Looks like tonight, the sky is heavy
Feels like the winds are gonna change
Beneath my feet, the earth is ready
I know its time for heaven’s rain, it’s gonna rain
Little boy grows up.
Look at you, Rocky. My little boy grew up. The shadow of the child with the thick black hair (mullet) and short legs running zig zags over surfaces and walls and ceilings, I can still see from the corner of my eye at times. I brace myself when you walk into the room these days – what joke or orneriness will ensue? Will you tickle me (undoubtedly) or try to scare me (most certainly) and when can I breathe relief as you move on to another target?
Rocky with Amelie Belle, September 2010
Oh, you were a bundle of delightful energy, you were all boy-defiant and strong-willed. You were all the brother your sisters could handle and you pushed their limits nearly every day of their lives and don’t they love you all the more for it, now?
Rocky with Averi earlier this year
‘Cause it’s living water we desire
To flood our hearts with holy fire
Rocky with Jovan, the love of his life
But before me stands a man, an honorable and good man. He is rugged and handsome, he is gentle and humble. He loves his beautiful wife and he dotes on his little daughters, and they sure do love their daddy. He is strong and gifted, capable, yet unpretentious. You are turning out, Rocky Rhoades. You are have turned out to be a wonderful man! Your mama loves you – can you tell? ;p Like a rock!
Rain down all around the world we’re singing
Rain down can you hear the earth is singing
Rain down my heart is dry but still I’m singing
Don’t you worry ’bout a thing!
Just when I thought you’d drive me insane, when your boldness and courage collided with your young teen-aged hormones and you questioned everything about everything and I wondered if I’d totally missed instilling in you what I’d wanted to, when you were about 13 and God showed me in an instant, as I was walking in to Burlington Coat Factory in Westminster and an evening snow was beginning to fall, that I shouldn’t worry. He showed me I’d raised a David (your true given name ~ David Allen Rhoades II, and a Psalmist) mixed with a bold, impetuous Peter (the “rock”). My heart breathed a sigh of relief, strength to see you through the teen years.
And wow-o-wow, was I ever happy when, within a few days, you said aloud that the 2 people in the Bible you most related with were David and Peter. YEAH! Thank-You, God!
Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it’s time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I’m ready
To dance upon this barren land
Hope in my hands – yeah,yeah
When you were just 2 as a ring-bearer in LeAnn and Ron Barnes’ wedding. With your 3 big sisters. We were practically our own 1980s “hair band.” Haha!
Time to dream again!
Then you read Psalm 112 and told us, as a young teen-age kid, no less, that YOU wanted to be that kind of man. A Psalm 92 man: whew! What a joyous relief for your mom! And that IS who you are and the grace into which you are continuing to grow and go towards. That is your life scripture and your future, Rock-man. It is your description, you calling, your destiny and your promise! And because you choose this, I have all confidence in your life, your future. Go get ’em, Rocky, my unshakable: wealth, riches, light, blessing, good, security, honor and all the rest!
Hope IS in your hands, baby boy! You can count on it!
Rain down all around the world we’re singing
Rain down can you hear the earth is singing
Rain down my heart is dry but still I’m singing
Rain down.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU!
Give me strength to cross the water – Keep my heart upon Your altar
Rain down, rain down!
Give me strength to cross this water – Keep my feet don’t let me falter
Rain down.
Do not shut the heavens
But open up our hearts, open up our hearts
Your mama loves you like a rock!
VIDEO: This is when Rocky took a few months of voice lessons in 2006 so he’d know how to sing it up without damaging his vocal chords. His instructor threw a recital for all of her students. It isn’t a worship setting, so there is some awkwardness in the set-up and maybe even a little in the response, but he brought it! And every time he sings this song, I can almost see the heavens opening up to pour out a blessing.
Happy birthday Rocky! You have been my best brother and pal since the day I was born and man, am I blessed by you! I am praying blessing and favor over you and your sweet little family and I pray that this year brings so much goodness and outpouring from the Lord that you won’t know what to do with it all. I love you!
Happy Birthday, Rock! Mom, as usual, nailed it. You are an incredible man of God. I remember distinctly the first time I was amazed at who you’d become when we’d gotten into a fight after church many years ago and later you came up and asked my forgiveness even though I was just as much to blame. I was shocked. It was like I literally watched you cross from the threshold of pushing the boundaries as a kid in school to stepping into Godly and gracious manhood. You’ve been blowing me away ever since. I love you so much and am eternally thankful that you were born 26 years ago!
And, is Storm going to have a complex that mom posted a pic of all the kids minus her? Storm, do you need to do another painting?
Well…I mean, I was going to mention something but decided that this is Rocky’s day. Mom will get a talking to later though – this complex is OBVIOUSLY not just in my head…
Stormie and Tredessa: I am cracking up because I DID think of that…but then I looked again and Stormie? You’re there! You are! You’re there…in Rocky’s heart! beam…boo-yah!
OH – A N D you are playing bass in the video. There. Done. Gotcha. Nailed it!
Hapy words, happy words, hap-hap-happy words, happy-words, happy-words; …your mother said I should come by and give you some happy words! Nephew- every word she has written is true but with a multiplied intensity 1000 times…I love and respect you and simply adore your family- bountiful blessings upon you all the days of your life!
I leave you with the words of a dear friend of mine; Alfred Lord Tennyson, who said; “And out of the darkness came the hands, that reach through nature, moulding men.” Yield to those hands, Nephew…yield, I say!
I love you, Bubba. Happy Birthday. You are a gracious, mighty Man of God and like always, mom’s blog makes me cry, even at work! Love you, my namesake, you are becoming who God meant for you to be, never forget that!
dad
Happy, happy birthday, Rocky!! I am so glad to have you as my adoptive brother…and that you are so ok with that as well!
It has been quite the pleasure to get to know you…we love you dearly!
Happy Day to you, Rock-Star!!! My little Ring Bearer! That’s my claim-to-fame with you, you know. You are to me what Michael Jackson was to Liza Minelli & whoever that guy was that she married — your the famous musician who stood in my wedding. I tell people all the time, “Yeah, we been tight for years. Since way back .. like, when he was two. My ring bearer, you know. Yeah.” :0) Seriously though, if there be any glory for your worship leading, I know you want it to go to the Lord. And He has blessed you and anointed you! How awesome. I am always blessed to be able to worship under your leadership! We are so proud of you! We’d love to show you & your family off here in Chicago — if you’re looking for a mission field to go to. :0) Love you, kiddo!
I sat here, at my computer, the house is still and my heart is moving toward my Jesus… I raised my hands to my savior while your son sang. I can not get enough of my Jesus and I am so honored to be able enter into His presence because of the talent He gave your son. Such a beautiful moment for me and Sweet Jesus – Thank you Rocky!
My brother!! I’m so freakin stoked to be your bro!! Happy Birthday and I got your back man!! :)