It was something her father had said that stuck with her. He’d had enough courage to reform himself and admit some years later that “I’d Rather Have Jesus” than anything he could set his eyes upon. His daughter Rhea F. Miller still remembered that testimony years later as she took a walk, probably not too far from where her father had made such a radical statement about his life in Brooktondale, New York (near Ithaca, see map here). His statement was not just an empty pledge, but one that had profoundly affected his life and those family members around him. Rhea’s father, Martin J. Ross, had made a choice, and what he said indicates he had considered other options. His own deliberations must have been the subject of more than one sermon he delivered, especially since his life’s previous trajectory was notorious to so many. At what point does a person reflect and make a rational decision? That must have been one question Rhea asked herself, and others to whom she told the story of her dad.
One can surmise from reading the biographic material offered at Rhea Miller’s memorial (see the findagrave link below) that her father’s life turnaround was an extraordinary event in her own life. As a 28-year old, Rhea shared the story of her father’s alcoholism and repentance into a life of ministry as she strolled in the area where she’d grown up. Perhaps he’d said repeatedly the words of the poem she would write, even during sermons or in personal testimonies, so that she just couldn’t possibly forget them. Her mother, Bertha, was a believer even while Martin was a drunk, something that must have gnawed at the family and been the subject of more than a few episodes of public embarrassment. One can imagine the family’s outpouring of appreciation to fellow believers for answered prayer when Martin’s radical life-change took shape. Maybe it was a minister or another believer who convinced Martin that the alcohol to which he was addicted would be worthless as life wore on, but that the offer of Jesus would only grow more tangible and meaningful, and would really be healthier for himself and his family in the here and now. His assumption of ministry as his rehabilitated life’s calling was a further stamp on the genuine nature of this change; Rhea would also marry a man committed to ministry, perhaps a reflection of what had happened to her father. Rhea would spend much of her own life as a music teacher, including writing several hymns in addition to ‘I’d Rather…’. One can imagine that she may have related the story of her father’s transformation to her students, many of whom no doubt would have had life goals that she tried to steer in positive ways.
What would Rhea’s recollection of her father’s transformed-life words have said to young music students she taught? Don’t be entranced with chasing wealth (v.1), the esteem of others (v.2), or power over others (chorus). Those things won’t last. ‘Rather…’, Rhea and her father said over and over. The poem invites one to weigh the choices, and it’s always Jesus on one side of the scales versus the items I can observe here. The glitzy thing I have now tarnishes, becomes dusty, or just wears out after years of use, forcing me to buy a new one. So, is what I can see today reliably fresh and gratifying years from now? Rhea’s dad had discovered what any one of us can confirm – things here don’t last. It’s time to try on Him whom I cannot yet see, except through faith vision.
See the song story according to the author here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42445380/rhea-f.-miller
See here for birth/death dates and places of the author: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/m/i/l/l/e/miller_rf.htm
See more information on the song story’s musical composer in these sources: The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, 2006; Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1990;101 More Hymn Stories, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1985; Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 2003; and Stories Behind Popular Songs and Hymns, by Lindsay Terry, Baker Book House, 1990 .
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