Read Proverbs 8
February 2012, I revisited nine years ago, remembering the suffering and dying of my father. Usually, when I think of Dad it has to do with lessons learned about church administration or community relations or just his unfailing love. Great man, best father, my friend forever and ever.
Recalling the teachings of my father brings laughter and wisdom. When I would be incorrect on a matter, Dad would say: "The more I try to teach you, the dumber you get." Then, we would laugh harder and harder as I would retort: "No wonder I am so dump, look who is teaching me." Then, I would make the necessary change and vow to aspire for his wisdom.
I had so much fun growing up in the midst of struggles and joys, joys through struggles. Living life to the fullness of the opportunities before us was to order of each day. For numerous years, we would end the day with good games of scrabble. Dad would be the one to make up words and grant permission to himself, since he was the preacher. Oh, the joy that filled my heart laughter at the man, who was beyond compare as my friend.
Strange how I thought living without him would be necessary, when he died. I actually believed that there would be no more lessons learned from my teacher - preacher. I was wrong. In error, yet again. I have tried to make it on my own and think of him as dead and not alive. I have had dreams where my mother, who died ten months prior to dad would come as clear and adorned in glory telling me to go into the next room and talk to my father. When I would open the door to the next room, I would picture him dead not alive and turn to Mom but she would be gone.
This year, it came to me. I cannot live without ever. I was wrong when I told him it was alright to go so that I could make it without him. Dead wrong was I. I need my teacher to come back to be as clear with me as my mother. The error is at the end of the first paragraph of the original obituary I wrote in 2003. I limited myself not trusting in God to fulfill his promise for me with Dad as he had done with me. Low and behold the day has come for me to say to God: "Thank you!" The thanks is not for the life he lived or that I can make it without him. I am thanking God, because "though he died, yet does he live." God knows what to do with limitations, and God has given me the power and authority to rise above the limit unto the unlimited faith in the resurrected life. I see my father's smile again and I accept his teachings again as he is with me. February is behind me now after nine years of holding be captive to the death of one, who is yet alive. This March, I am marching with my father again. Thank you, God!
February 2012, I revisited nine years ago, remembering the suffering and dying of my father. Usually, when I think of Dad it has to do with lessons learned about church administration or community relations or just his unfailing love. Great man, best father, my friend forever and ever.
Recalling the teachings of my father brings laughter and wisdom. When I would be incorrect on a matter, Dad would say: "The more I try to teach you, the dumber you get." Then, we would laugh harder and harder as I would retort: "No wonder I am so dump, look who is teaching me." Then, I would make the necessary change and vow to aspire for his wisdom.
I had so much fun growing up in the midst of struggles and joys, joys through struggles. Living life to the fullness of the opportunities before us was to order of each day. For numerous years, we would end the day with good games of scrabble. Dad would be the one to make up words and grant permission to himself, since he was the preacher. Oh, the joy that filled my heart laughter at the man, who was beyond compare as my friend.
Strange how I thought living without him would be necessary, when he died. I actually believed that there would be no more lessons learned from my teacher - preacher. I was wrong. In error, yet again. I have tried to make it on my own and think of him as dead and not alive. I have had dreams where my mother, who died ten months prior to dad would come as clear and adorned in glory telling me to go into the next room and talk to my father. When I would open the door to the next room, I would picture him dead not alive and turn to Mom but she would be gone.
This year, it came to me. I cannot live without ever. I was wrong when I told him it was alright to go so that I could make it without him. Dead wrong was I. I need my teacher to come back to be as clear with me as my mother. The error is at the end of the first paragraph of the original obituary I wrote in 2003. I limited myself not trusting in God to fulfill his promise for me with Dad as he had done with me. Low and behold the day has come for me to say to God: "Thank you!" The thanks is not for the life he lived or that I can make it without him. I am thanking God, because "though he died, yet does he live." God knows what to do with limitations, and God has given me the power and authority to rise above the limit unto the unlimited faith in the resurrected life. I see my father's smile again and I accept his teachings again as he is with me. February is behind me now after nine years of holding be captive to the death of one, who is yet alive. This March, I am marching with my father again. Thank you, God!
“Jesus
Wept” (John 11:35)
On his dying day, Dad opened
wide his eyes toward heaven, stretched out his hand, smiled, freed his spirit,
and traveled into eternal life. No more pain. No more sick days. No more screaming out in the night – “Lula! O
boy! O Lord!” After eighty-three years
and twenty-nine days God lifted him from the troubles of this world. And, I am not happy about it, but I accept
it. One day I will be able to look back,
and say to God: “Thank you,” but right now allow me to say to you - I miss my
father. If I could have kept him alive
forever and ever I would have, but I am too limited.
United Methodist Minister and prominent advocate of
justice for oppressed Americans through a theology of love and grace, Reverend
Bishop Claude Rouse, Sr. challenged racial segregation and discrimination
throughout his adult life in the church and community. Bishop, son of the Reverend Hiram Bishop Rouse (1896-1964), attended
public schools in Lumberton, North Carolina.
In the 1940s, while a soldier, whose father was a Methodist pastor in
Marion County, he met Lula Alberta Woodbury (1928-2002) who resided in Marion,
SC. They were married in 1947.
He completed theological
studies at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA in the late forties
having graduated from Allen University after serving in World War II. His
pastoral appointments included: Easley Charge - Easley, SC, 1949-58; Level
Green - Bennettsville, SC, 1958-60; Centenary (Hartsville Circuit) -
Hartsville, SC, 1960-64; Wesley - Columbia, SC, 1964-71; Mt. Zion - Kingstree,
SC, 1971-76; Lake City Charge - Lake City, SC, 1976-80; Bamberg Parish -
Bamberg, SC, 1980-84; and Chesnee, SC, 1984-85.
Throughout life, inspired by
his father and uncles – preachers, he accepted the teachings and ministries of
the Methodist tradition. He mastered the
art of preaching salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. A leader among local clergymen, he felt it
important to guide and assist young aspiring candidates into the ordained
ministry. Bishop's preaching abilities and sincere pastoral leadership would
lead to church growth in membership, building of adequate facilities, increase
in programmatic ministries, and dynamic worship experiences.
In November of 2002, he moved to
Greenville after a brief stay at Bradford Gardens Assisted Living facility and
hospitalization at the Marion Regional Medical Center in Marion. This
extraordinary Christian preacher, superb father, and first class friend died at
Laurel Baye Health Center of Greenville, SC in the presence of his
daughter-in-law, Connie. Predicted to
die due to illness in 1950, five years prior to my birth, my father promised me
in 1961 that he would live until I was able to manage without his presence on
earth. He kept his promise. Thanks God!
Services: Visitation - Mt.
Zion UMC in Kingstree, SC, 2/22, with Rev. Dr. Clyde A. Anderson; Celebration
Service of Resurrection 2/23, - Wesley United Methodist Church, Columbia, S.C.
with Bishop Marshall L. Meadors; Committal - Devotional Gardens, Marion, SC,
February 24, 2003, by Rev. Dr. Luonne A. Rouse.
He is survived by three sons
and daughters-in-law: Bishop Claude Rouse, Jr. (Minnie) of Danbury, Conn.;
Bernard Jerome Rouse, Sr. (Ruth) of Frederick, MD, and Luonne Abram Rouse
(Connie) of Greenville, SC; a sister: Bess Ball of Philadelphia, PA; a foster
brother: Dale Barnes of Marion, SC; a mother, Geneva Rouse of Orangeburg, SC; a
sister and brother-in-law, Ghussan Rouse-Greene (George) of Orangeburg, SC;
Linda Booker Rouse of Philadelphia, PA; nine grandchildren, two
great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, colleagues,
friends, and neighbors.
Luonne
Abram Rouse
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on us, so that when we think it is over a divine revelation will come to allow us to see a victorious life of faith. Amen
1 comment:
When Mrs. Connie D. Rouse called, we knew the time had passed and Rev. Bishop Claude Rouse had gone to glory. We knew!
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