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,

She is a strong woman of courage and faith; she is strong because she depends on her Lord to be her refuge and fortress. Matthew 19:26b, “But with God all things are possible”, is her personal motto and her personal word from God.  She allows Him to work on her attitudes and in her character molding her into his likeness. Now I didn’t say she was perfect or that she has achieved this goal, but as all God’s children, she is a work in progress.  Her life is a testimony that inspires and encourages others to reach the heights of God’s love.   She stands for what she

believes in and is not afraid to say so.

 

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

what we become, I know that is God’s plan for our lives.

He allows us to go through troubles, trials, and sorrows

So we can grow and then to help others.

Through the good and bad times in our life God wants us

to simply trust Him with all our heart.

 

Colossians 3:23- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

 

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.
We have learned this comes from the Ellingburg side of the family, which was Ma Dolly’s mother, Nancy Ann Ellingburg.

 

 

                                                                                   

Any longer and she could not drive anymore.  This was

enough to be depressed or to be angry at life, but not Linda,

She didn’t feel sorry for herself.  As the saying goes if

life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  She made the

most 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 instantly

in a head on collision with an school bus, Thank God all the

children on it had been delivered safely at home.

Todd had been fishing in Alabama the night before

and on that warm afternoon driving home from Alabama

he went to sleep.  A friend was with him and he only got a scratch.

The bus driver wasn’t injured.  Only one fatality, Todd.

 

 

Todd had accepted The Lord as his savior when he was 13; the preacher that had baptized him came back and preached his funeral.  He is buried in the Stonewall Cemetery.  His tombstone reads, “ In this beautiful valley, I triumph in death as in Life”

 

 

As any Mother losing a child, Linda had lots of bad days, She said every morning as she got up she knelt at her coffee table and ask God to help her through this day.

One day and one prayer at a time, her days got better. She said going through something

like this will make you bitter or better. She said, “I hope

I’m a better person for going through it.”   I remember one time she said, “It was late in the evening and I realized that I hadn’t thought about Todd today and I felt guilty.”

 

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.

 

 

I received a call around 11:00 that Friday night for me to go

to Linda’s, that Brooks had just been killed.  I remember saying, Oh, No, this can’t happen to her again. That night she told others and me that God had brought Her through it before and HE WILL DO IT AGAIN.

 

 

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.

 

People came to the funeral home that night to visit and to give comfort to parents that had just lost their second son. I had people to say to me; what can I say to them? There were over 600 visitors that signed in.  Coming to comfort them, she giving them comfort.  So many young people came and cried in her arms and her comforting them.

 

John 11:26- whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?

 

Linda had lead Brooks to the Lord sometimes after Todd had been killed.  She knew where both her boys where and she knew she would see them again.

As She told Brooks’ girlfriend’s Mother that She would see him again because of her faith and trust in Jesus.  Brooks and Todd are buried side-by-side.  Brooks’ Tombstone reads  “Fly on Proud Bird, Your Free At Last” Meet Me In Heaven.

 

 

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.

 

God has used Linda to help other Mothers that have lost a child.  She tells them how God has helped her through losing both her children.  She said,” I have only two choices, quit and give up, or keep on going, and God doesn’t want me to quit.

 

                                                                                         

 

Philippians 4:19- And my God shall supply all your need according to His

riches glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory, forever, and ever.

 

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.

 

As I’ve told her she is an inspiration to me and to others around her. She doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her so don’t get out the Kleenex box.  There’s still much she can do. She can still sing for God’s glory and she helps in many ways in the ministry of her church.  Her husband Toby of   40 years stands by her, and with God’s help they have made this journey together. Linda and Toby are members of Stonewall United Methodist Church.   God has given her a special kind of strength, a strength that influences, a strength that perseveres, and a strength that endures.  She’s my little sister, but I look up to her.

 

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.