"LOVE LIKE LINDA"(epilogue)

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of Peace will be with you.

Phillipians 4: 8 & 9

"her great legacy"

Greatness, or success, is gauged or measured differently in God's economy of things. His standard is Faith, impossible to please Him without. In the parable of the talents (Mat. 25), He tells of three servants, who were entrusted with property, of a certain man. Each was given a different amount to be responsible for, according to each's ability. Two of them succeeded, and the master said, "well done ,good and faithful servant...". Different levels of responsibility, same commendation. No matter how great or small our area of responsibility, or platform is, that we are given, Faithful service is what's rewarded, in God's Kingdom.

Linda looked at life as a mission field, wherever she went, whatever she did, and whoever she met, she considered it an opportunity to minister the Love of God. We had a conversation one time, about the ministry of Jesus (yes, we did have serious conversation, as well as kidding around!). we talked about the range,( for a lack of a better word), of His Ministry. He related to and embraced little children, rightly divided the Law and teachings of Israel, with the teachers and leaders, gave insight to all ages, who came to Him. Linda displayed the same versatility, ministering in children's church and Sunday school, leading and participating in adult Bible studies, ministering to teens and young adults. Her platform wasn't limited to Church, or the christian community alone. She was involved in her public community, teaching in the school system, writing in the local paper, and don't forget, "the tupperware parties". Every place, every person, expressing God and His Love to them. Light, and salt to a world, that needs Jesus.

She touched many lives, as was evident, in her final days at home,and at her memorials. The parade of people, coming to her house, to express their love and gratitude, was so steady, the family had to put a time limit, to accommodate all the people. At her wake, I was told it was so crowded in the lobby, and outside, they lost count. At her celebration of life, the car procession to her memorial site, was so long, they split it into two different routes. A true display of the love, admiration and respect, that people have for her.

Her promotion, is bitter-sweet, to those who love her. Bitter in the sense, that we're left here to carry on without someone we love and care deeply for, and the impossible task of trying to fill the void, their absence leaves. But it's also sweet, in the sense that, Linda is no longer bound by the physical restrictions of this world. No limitations of age and illness, injury and disease, no pain, no sorrow, reunited with loved ones, both family and friends. But most importantly,being in the Presence of Almighty God. For that we can rejoice, and be glad, for her.

So how do we "carry on"?

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church at Phillipi, from his prison cell in Rome. With his future and safety uncertain, he writes to encourage the Phillipians, who were concerned, maybe even discouraged over the situation of someone they loved. In verse 8, he encourages them to, basically, remember the good things, and times together. He goes on to say, do the things that they've learned, and saw him exemplify. And the promise of God's Presence, will be with them in doing so. This is, in essence, his legacy to them. To carry on. Challenging thoughts, even for us today. Linda leaves some big footprints to follow.

We can never fill the void, her absence leaves. We can and will carry on. Her legacy is living, primarily in her family, and also in every life she touched. We can follow the Apostle's exhortation, and think about the good things we experienced and learned , cherish the good times shared, and embrace her memory. To "live like Linda" is to honor her, to "love like Linda" is to honor the Lord. We can carry on. And like Linda, share the Gospel of the Lord, the Love of God for this world, one person, one moment at a time. In doing so, we carry on "her great legacy"