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Linda's Story
A true story of how her faith has seen her through the death
of two sons, losing her eyesight and surviving Breast Cancer.
Linda Thomas Harper is a woman I
admire as a sister and a friend,
Proverbs 3: 5-Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Things happen in
our life to make us and mold us into In 1987, Linda had
to retire from a job she really enjoyed. She went to work in the Cotton Mill in Stonewall, Ms. just after High
School graduation. She worked for 22
years. She was a good Spinner, other
Spinners liked to follow her because she left her job in a way she would like
to find hers.
The reason for her early retirement
was an eye disease, call Retinitis-Pigmatosis. This is known as tunnel vision. There is no treatment or cure for this disease. James, our brother had the same disease,
which is hereditary. Her eye specialist told Linda that she could not work
Any longer and she could not drive anymore. This wasenough to be depressed or to be angry at life, but not Linda,She didn’t feel sorry for herself. As the saying goes iflife gives you lemons, make lemonade. She made themost of it; Linda was 40 years of age at this time. John 14:1- Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God believe also in me… On May 8, 1990, her older son Todd, 19, was killed instantlyin a head on collision with an school bus, Thank God all thechildren on it had been delivered safely at home.Todd had been fishing in Alabama the night beforeand on that warm afternoon driving home from Alabamahe went to sleep. A friend was with him and he only got a scratch.The bus driver wasn’t injured. Only one fatality, Todd. Then March 26, 1999, Brooks, 20, her younger son, came in the house, his friends had just dropped him off, he picked up his truck keys and told his Dad, I’m going to Quitman, I’ll be right back. About 25 to 30 minutes later, a knock came at their door, telling them the news no parents want to hear. Their child had just been killed instantly inside the city limits of Quitman at 10:25 p.m. God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore I will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…. The Lord of host is with me. (Psalm 46)
The next morning, she got up not sleeping much, but trying to rest, for she knew what this day held. Standing, looking out her kitchen window she sang,“Tis, So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” She knew where her strength was and whom she depended on to see her through yet another dark time in her life. John 11:26- whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? 2 Corinthians 1:3,4- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Philippians 4:19- And my God shall supply all your need
according to His
In May 2004, Linda was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Some ask why Linda after all she’s been through? She said,” I’m no better than anyone else, why not me?” Someone ask me why did Linda have to have cancer? I told them because she believes God will see her through this too, and He will get the glory. She went through chemotherapy, losing her hair but she never lost her spirit or faith. I never heard her complain; today she has been cancer-free since her chemo. She still takes the cancer pills. Her eyes have really deteriorated since her Chemo she can’t read, mostly she sees shadows, and she is legally blind. Linda would want you to know that God knows your heart, and he knows you by name, so for every hectic day, God can give you quiet rest, and a peace that will pass all understanding. For every painful experience, He is your healing touch. For every disappointment you face, He is your certain hope. For every storm or battle in your life, He is your calming peace. And for every hurtful action against you, He is your forgiving love. You can trust Him in life for living grace and you can trust Him in death for dying grace. His grace will be sufficient whatever you may face. |
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