don rockholt

i didn't know him well. i spoke with him and his wife only a handful of times at church. but i respect him much. and i learned much from him. Don had been struggling with cancer for the past several years. For a little while we thought he had beaten it, but Don passed away on the evening of November 3rd.

he affected me because i saw the struggle and the pain he was going through. yet he would still do special music every once in a while (don has an amazing voice and loves to sing), and as he sang i saw a joy in him in the midst of trouble. Pastor Ray met weekly with Don; they were prayer partners. Pastor Ray would share certain things with me that Don had done or said. As Don headed downhill health-wise Pastor Ray would ask him how he was doing. Don would always respond "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm still on Plan A." Plan A was living each day for God...and why would that change?

Don lived on Plan A each day when he could almost reach out and touch the end of his days. He lived on Plan A in the midst of trials and struggles.

In my life...am I living on Plan A every day? I cannot see the end of my days. I am in good health. When struggles come my way am I still living on Plan A no matter what?

I hope so.

At Don's funeral his nephews sang the following song. It was originally written as a poem (and then became a hymn) by Fanny Crosby. But I've only heard the Rich Mullins version...and they sang it a lot like he did. It's a powerful song:

All The Way My Savior Leads Me
All the way my Savior leads me-
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me-
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me-
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the day;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.