In last Sunday’s blog, I noted: “Linda is in the process of passing and will probably be in the arms of Jesus before the weekend is over.” That did not prove to be the case. Once again, she demonstrated the unpredictability that has defined our journey from the very beginning of her sickness, and passed from this life on Tuesday morning. She had begun comfort care five days earlier. Our family and I stayed with her around the clock. During this time, the Legacy Village team and the Hearth Hospice team seamlessly worked together to assure that her homegoing was peaceful and pain free.
Remembering her Life
A “Remembrance of Life” service was held yesterday. Our intent was to turn the spotlight on her remarkable life, while giving all the glory to God. The biographical section of her obituary, written by our son Michael, beautifully sums up her life on earth:
Linda Harvard was a remarkable individual who devoted her life to serving God, her family, and others. As the wife of a pastor, she had a strong passion for children’s ministry and played a significant role in shaping the lives of young Christian individuals. Whether it was through Sunday School, puppet shows, or designing the Children’s Center at The Bridge Community Church, her love for God’s work could be seen in every program and in the life of each child with whom she interacted.
Beyond her ministry, Linda’s compassion extended to her personal life. Friends and loved ones have described her as an embodiment of Christ’s teachings, highlighting her kindness, faith, and exemplary character. Despite facing the devastating loss of a young son, her faith grew stronger, and she sought to deepen her understanding of the Word of God. She became a devoted student of Israel, delving into both its historical context within Scripture and its modern-day significance. She recognized the connection between our future in Christ, the Church, and God’s children, and she made it her life’s mission to share a message of hope with anyone willing to listen.
Linda’s life serves as an inspiration to all who knew her. Her unwavering faith, dedication to serving others, and her pursuit of understanding and sharing the Word of God left a lasting impact on those she encountered. Her legacy of love and devotion will continue to resonate in the lives of the many individuals she touched throughout her ministry and personal life.
Celebrating her Homegoing
Losing our son Jeffery four days before his seventh birthday exponentially increased Linda’s awareness of Heaven and the brevity of our time on earth. Now that she is in the arms of Jesus, I rejoice in knowing that faith has been replaced by her new reality. Knowing her as I do, I am convinced she would want everyone to know that her heart echoes Paul’s message:
…Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:8 MSG).
Next week, I will publish the final installment of Dementia: Walking Victoriously Through the “Long Goodbye,” and let you know my future plans.
Ron Harvard Ministries 