Women Connect: Heaven Awaits — Rheba Hanks

Ponder

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

There's so much pain in our broken world. Often it's impossible to grasp when we see images of war. Devastation in natural disasters. Parents, friends grieving the loss of a child. Broken hearts everywhere.

Then God reminds us of this temporary dwelling place by bringing into our lives survivors. People who made it through the storms in life. People who did not lose faith…but became stronger.

People who experienced God's peace in the midst of their brokenness. Peace that transcends our understanding.

Like my friend, Rheba.

Meet

The pain followed them when they lost their 35-year-old daughter, Gail. And about twenty years later, they lost their last biological child, their son Brion at 49 years old.

Brion was married to a precious friend, Laurie, who remarried and has remained close to Rheba.

Bill + Rheba took in foster children, including their daughter Tricia, whom they adopted. Rheba says Tricia is her angel.

During the years of pouring into their own family…they both invested time, energy and their hearts in teaching other children, too, about the love of Jesus. Even in the midst of their pain and loss! My four brothers and I were among the recipients of this eternal investment. My brothers had Bill for their Royal Ranger (Christian boys' club) leader, and I had Rheba for a Sunday School teacher. My first Bible with both the Old + New Testament came from her.

I've had a couple of phone calls recently with Rheba. She's in an assisted living community in Southern California. When I asked her how young she is, her spry-as-ever reply was, "Judy, I'm 95.6." 😀

We reminisced about her teaching days. I got to thank her for the investment she made in my life. We talked about some of the classmates. She confessed she had a really hard time teaching the 9th grade girls. (And that was over fifty years ago!! 😂)

Before we ended our conversation, she told me she is in hospice care. I choked back the tears. But she quickly added, "You know it's amazing. People come to my room often with 'heart hurts', and I get to listen and then pray with them. God just keeps sending them."

I am so incredibly grateful for Rheba Hanks. A woman who loves Jesus with all her heart. Loves her family and friends so very well. And continues at 95.6 to model what a disciple of Jesus looks like.

I love you, Rheba. You are a saint!

Thankful

…for teachers in school and church who invested in us! Enormous commitment. So blessed to be the recipient of gracious individuals who had a passion and love for us, an often rowdy bunch! (don't be fooled by my smile - back row next to Teacher Rheba).

Heart

Is there someone in your family, neighborhood or workplace who might have a 'heart hurt'? I bet there's someone in your world who would be so blessed by a call, text, email or real-mail card from you. Just to remind them you care. And if you're praying for them, they would likely be encouraged to know that too.

And if they need a Bible, we can send one to you to pass on to them.

Judy Popineau Wick