Rock Man (Ann)
- holymoments442
- Sep 16, 2020
- 3 min read
Have you ever had a person in your life who always seems to show up right when you needed them most without you ever having to say a word? I have been blessed that my parents' friend has been that person. Affectionately known as "Rock Man" for his love of nature, rocks, and minerals, he has been a part of my life since I was a child and has had such a deep impact on my faith. While he does not share the Catholic faith specifically, he shares a strong faith in Jesus and a deep understanding of the Scriptures. He found faith later in life and his troubled childhood was often a topic of discussion as he reminded me of how lucky I am to have been born into a family of faith.
There are so many moments in my life when I needed an encouraging word and he happened to be there when I needed it most. When I was a young child, he brought me a geode that he had found while searching for rocks in a nearby quarry to add to his collection. When he brought it over, we cut it open together and he explained that I was the first person to lay eyes on this geode and that God had designed this geode specifically for me to be the first person to see it just as God designs each of our lives for a specific purpose. We are on this earth to fulfill His plan as only we can. I've carried that geode with me to every apartment and house that I have ever lived in and placed it in a prominent place to remind me that God has a plan just for me. Looking at that geode has gotten me through some of the most difficult times of my life so far and I look forward to sharing that with my daughter as she gets older.
When I was in graduate school, I had to have a surgery that was very painful and difficult, especially due to the other circumstances surrounding it (a devastating break-up, trying to keep up in grad school while recovering, and applying for a service dog). One day during my recovery, I was feeling particularly defeated and Rock Man knocked on the door. He asked if he could pray with my sister and I and all three of us sat at the kitchen table and prayed together. I felt such peace and healing in that moment and I will never forget that moment as long as I live.
When my daughter was 4 months old, I had just brought her back to my parents' house after her check up and immunizations to continue my day of telework. I was feeling overwhelmed since she had cried so hard after her shots and I had been unable to console her. She had fallen asleep on the drive back and I found myself sitting in the silence for a moment after walking into the house when I saw a masked Rock Man at the door. I immediately opened the door and we had a beautiful socially-distanced visit. My daughter woke up and I was able to introduce her to Rock Man. She smiled and babbled and it was the most precious holy moment to be able to introduce her to him since I was still pregnant with her the last time that I had seen him.
Just a few weeks ago, he once again showed up at the door and handed my mom a card to give to me. It was a day when I was having a particularly difficult time and a day when I needed this kind act most. The card was a "get well" card with words of encouragement in it. He knew what I needed without me even having to say anything. Now that is God's divine plan at work!
I will be forever grateful for his presence in my life and his witness to faith. It has created so many holy moments for me over the years and deepened my relationship with God in such a profound way. Thank you, Rock Man!
Rick Streight (a.k.a. Rock Man) has written several wonderful books that talk about his faith:
I highly encourage you to read them if you feel called to do so!
Update to story: I was taking a walk with my daughter and husband in Fair Hill Nature Center and a rock caught my eye. I bent down to pick it up and it was a small geode! I showed it to my daughter and she squealed in delight. I was able to tell her that God made that rock especially for her to find, just as God has put her on this earth for a reason that only she can fulfill just as Rock Man had told me years ago. It was such a beautiful, perfect holy moment!
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