Faith and Saying Goodbye

June 5, 2025 Martha Rodman5 Comments

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15. ESV.

About sixty years my mom received a phone call. Of course, we only had landline phones, so she was tethered to the spot. She shooed us away into another room and shut the door. Being 15, we knew something was up. This was not my mom’s normal behavior. After a while, she emerged tight-lipped and very quiet. Of course, as normal teenagers, my sisters and I (remember we are triplets) began to pester her. What’s going on?

Later that day, after talking with our dad,she shared some news. Turns out the person on the phone was our sister’s mom. Yes, our sister! It was the beginning of a swirling whirlwind of emotions, questions, and thoughts. We learned that day that we had a sister named Laura! Laura was getting married and we were invited to the wedding! My mom and dad discussed this invitation and, with some fear and concern, took us to the wedding. There is a whole other God back story to how/when they discovered where we were.

The wedding venue was about four hours away from our home. I remember being excited and anxious at the same time! Besides Laura and her family, we got to meet our brother, Larry and his family, plus our sister Carol and her family. We learned that with our birth, there were eight children! Besides these, we had our oldest sister Betty and a sister Alice!

At the time of our meeting, Carol was married with two young girls. They lived in a farmhouse, with an orchard to care for. Her husband Pat was a teacher (as was Carol). Carol actually wanted to get to know us! Apparently, she had told everyone she had triplet sisters and knew she would meet them someday. They invited us to come and stay with them for a weekend off and on. Slowly, we learned about our biological family and make memories together.

I have discovered in life, there are people who seem to be “gluers”, and people who are “gluees”. What I mean about that is there are folks who work hard keeping people together. It can be with family or friends. Carol was a “gluer”. Obviously, it was a momentous occasion for all of us. Particularly for our sister Carol. At eleven, Carol was the oldest child at our birth home. She had the task to calling for the doctor. Because our dad was a mining assessor, they lived in one of the cabins made available to the workers. It only had two rooms. The doctor came by seaplane. Talking with her about this event always brought emotions to each of us. When our family left Texas, Betty stayed behind. I think that hole was difficult for all the siblings, but especially Carol. I think that experience helped her become the “gluer” she was. Then, rightly understanding, our parents could not raise triplets in that environment, the doctor began the termination of parental rights. Carol and Laura went into foster care.

Carol did not let the wedding event be a “one and done” meeting. I know she talked with my mother. She planned for us to take the train to visit her and her family. Over the years, she truly became our “big sister”. She pursued a relationship with us.

Part of the adoption process is not necessarily having someone around who has the same DNA. Despite not being raised together, we were remarkably alike! It gave validation and a foundation that we didn’t even know we needed.

She passed away May 17, 2025 at 86. Our last visit took place in a hospital room. She did not seem to really comprehend who we were. Parkinson’s was taking its toll. I sat on the side of her bed, thanking her for touching so many lives so well. She said my name, and I knew she knew who I was. My friends, each of us can touch lives. To bring value to those around us, if we simply choose to see them. Carol did that her whole life. It was hard to say goodbye that day.

I look back at our remarkable story. Our “big sister” Carol was the epitome of compassion, caring, and a great example of a good listener. Her persistence in developing a real sister relationship between strangers was amazing. God sent her into our lives when we were three insecure teenagers, and it changed us. Through Carol, we also came to know Laura, Larry, and our sister Betty. Unfortunately, although I “met” Alice, distance and life circumstances did not give us the same opportunity.

We hosted a family gathering, May 23, to help celebrate her life. Over thirty people came, including Larry, Laura, Mary and Marie. We missed our sister Betty, who, at 95, stayed in Texas. How do we say goodbye to her? We don’t because we know we will see her again, as Carol is a believer in Jesus Christ.

I know this is a personal story, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. I pray that you will know your value to Him. You are also valuable to others. Use that value to help others. Carol and Laura went into foster care after our birth. It was not good or easy, but they were survivors. Those challenges help create some amazing people. God is using your story for your good and the good of others, keep walking!

Father, I thank you for our remarkable story. You took so many hard parts and have woven them together in some amazing ways, and for that I am grateful. You see each one of us, and understand just how you want to help bring glory to Your name, no matter how messy. Thank you, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and Freedom

July 5, 2024 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. Psalm 119:45. NLT.

As we celebrate our nation’s freedom this week, it is always good to remember what it cost our founding fathers to form our nation. So many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence suffered for their actions. The British captured five of the signers, and tortured them before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war. (www.michaelwsmith.com) It was personally costly for these brave men, and we are still reaping the benefits of their sacrifice today.

But, unfortunately, most of us don’t even think about that cost. Complaints, criticism and frustrations abound about how things are not right, but rarely do we hear people talking about the freedoms we have. Each of these freedoms came with a high price tag. The freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly and worship, the freedom of the press are all freedoms our founding fathers fought for. Because most of us have not lived in places where these freedoms are not experienced, we don’t comprehend how good we do have it. I think it is often the same with the freedom that was purchased by Christ. We are often forgetful about the actual price it cost Him for our freedom. Then we settle for living less than He intends.

There are so many ways we can get entangled. We move from grace to living under the law. We forget about cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, and settle for the works of the flesh. One way we can lose our freedom is living with unforgiveness. Our Life Group has been watching a video series by Bruce and Toni Hebel, called “Forgiving Forward”. This teaching really brings it home that God’s Word is quite adamant that we need to walk in forgiveness, no matter what. It is not an option. As I have waited on the Lord, it’s been surprising the things the Holy Spirit brings up that I need to take the time to forgive–things in the past that I thought were long buried and done with. But as I partner with Him, I find my heart freer and at an even greater peace. This is a reminder to keep your heart clear as the Holy Spirit leads. Do not fall for the lie or deception that it doesn’t make a difference, because it does. Read Matthew 18: 21-35. Let God’s Word touch your heart.

Jesus poured His life out for us. He endured so much to purchase our freedom, and for that I am so grateful. We can walk with Him with a free heart, and that is priceless. The freedom forgiveness brings to you and your relationships is priceless. Don’t justify it, just do it. Ask Him for His help, He is really good at helping people forgive!

Father, I am so grateful we have your forgiveness. Thank you we can walk in that freedom and help pass that on to others. Our ability to forgive comes from the fact we are already forgiven. Teach us how to forgive from our heart like you have asked us to. We trust you to heal our hurts, and release us into Your freedom, In Jesus Name, amen.

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Faith and His Faithfulness

January 25, 2024 Martha Rodman1 Comment

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5 NLT.

2024 is 25 days in. Life still keeps me on my knees and looking upward! It is amazing how in the midst of so many challenges God proves Himself faithful. I mentioned last week about the mess in my back bedroom. More issues were discovered and in some places, we are down to studs and the outside brick wall. But as I trust Him, and my wonderful contractor, it will get restored. All that takes is money, supplies and hard work. God is faithful to provide.

But what about other things, the harder things that money won’t fix? Can we trust His faithfulness during those times? Yes, we can. Here is an example of His faithfulness in one of life’s most challenging situations.

This past Sunday, my dear niece, Anne Hardy passed into the loving arms of our Savior. Anne is the oldest daughter of my oldest biological sister. A sister my triplet sisters and I were not raised with due to my parents personal issues. It was God’s faithfulness that brought each of us back together in person, when we were about 28. It is amazing how God re-connected our lives. His faithfulness was demonstrated through the prayers of our Aunt Freda; a dear precious believer who prayed our family would be reunited due to our adoption. (After our birth, the state became involved and some of our sisters were placed in foster care). My parents had eight children. My sister Betty is twenty years older than we are and is an amazing woman in her own right. Anne’s full name was Elizabeth Anne–the same as my daughter! (Because I only knew her as “Anne”, I didn’t know her full name!)

Anne’s last several months was filled with hospital stays as she battled pancreatic cancer. We watched God’s faithfulness as He strengthened her and blessed her. The outcome was not on our agenda, but His faithfulness was so manifested. Early on in the process Anne had a dream. In this dream she was in heaven. She saw many angels around the throne and it was beautiful. There was one angel who had the Book of Life, and said, “no, it’s not time for you”. Then she was escorted back to earth. I remember the peace and hope that came as she shared this dream with me. Yes, God was going to heal her!

Later on, she had a second dream (shared to me by her sister Debbie). In this dream, Anne wrote her obituary. As she finished and re-read it, she said, “you know this was a pretty good life!”. Debbie wasn’t happy about that dream. As it became obvious her time here on earth was short, the immediate family gathered in the hospital. Her amazing husband Doyle was at her bedside holding her hand. She had been through so much and Doyle exemplified God’s faithfulness in so many ways. Anne loved music. Doyle put on a Gaither song, “Mansion over the Hilltop” and as they listened to this promise, he leaned over and told her she was free to go. Her pulse and breathing ceased. Then Doyle felt a touch on his shoulder. As he turned to see who touched him, no one was there. It was as if Anne gave him one finally touch.

Someone asked Doyle how he was feeling. He said, “pure joy”. Only our good and faithful God could do that. Our God is so faithful. We need to trust Him more, and not let the enemy rob of us of who our God really is. These dreams and this final story are helping our family walk through these days. I know Anne has left some big holes in the lives of her mom, her brother and her sister, but our God is faithful and able to bring His comfort.

These two seeming polar opposite stories (my room issue) and Anne’s passing are examples of God’s faithfulness in my life this month. There are so many more. I want to encourage you to look out for them in your own life. I have found walking in thankfulness, brings me even more aware of His faithfulness.

Father, I thank you for Your dependable faithfulness, which not only reaches past the clouds but into every area of our lives, if we let You. I ask You help us to open our eyes in even the hardest places to find you, because I know you are there. Thank you, my dear Savior. In Jesus’ Name, amen.