Woodene Linda Robinson (January 20, 1935 - January 22, 2025) Micah 6:8

Welcome & Gathering

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Woodene Linda Robinson. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow….hope, in death….resurrection.

Pray

Hymn of Promise

Congregation remains seated

New Testament Scripture Reading

As you will hear witness to, these words written by the Apostle Paul, late in his journey, they are appropriate ones to ascribe to Woodene

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NIV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Pastoral Prayer

O God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray. You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Speak to us once more your solemn message of life and of death. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you, and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Add prayer for family:

kids: Machele, Terry, Kathy, Cindy, and Susan… spouses

Grandchildren and great grandchildren

Friends and family

Celebration of Life

Obit

Woodene Linda Robinson, 90, of Conroe went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. She was the only child to Woodrow Wilson Throckmorton and Opal Cates Throckmorton and was born on January 20, 1935. After growing up in Oklahoma City, Woodene went on to attend college at Oklahoma City University on a full music scholarship where she met and married Rudy Donat. Together they had four children – Christopher, Machele, Terry and Kathy. Later in life she met and married her husband, Bob Robinson, where she gained two more daughters, Cindy and Susan, and their family grew to a family of 8. They moved to Houston, Texas where she worked and raised their family, providing everlasting memories and experiences for all of them. Woodene was an accomplished pianist. She played piano and organ in the church beginning at age 12 and continued to do so for the rest of her life. Woodene’s foundation for her family was based on having a strong faith in God and spending as much time with her family as she could. This is her generational legacy that she has left for not only her children but also her grandchildren and great grandchildren – faith and family.

In the final journey of Woodene’s life, there was not one day that went by without her thanking anyone and everyone for taking care of her. She will be forever remembered for her grace, her gratitude and selflessness. Woodene’s family would like to thank all of the caretakers at Heritage Oaks for their amazing care and love. The family would also like to thank Benchmark Hospice of Montgomery for their guidance, exceptional care and love for Woodene and the family.

Woodene was preceded in death by her parents, Woody and Opal Throckmorton, her husband, Bob Robinson and her son, Christopher Donat.

She is survived by her children, Machele Donat and husband Harry Herr, Terry Donat and wife Tina, Kathy Hatcher and husband Mike, Cindy Ann Robinson and Susan Thacker and husband, Steve. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren of which she was so very proud!

Holly?

Hymn 2 - Joyful Joyful we adore thee

Stand and sing

Old Testament Reading

Micah 6:8 NIV

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Pray.

Introduction: A Call to Simplicity in Life and Faith

In moments like this, when we gather to celebrate a life well-lived and confront the reality of our own mortality, we seek clarity and meaning. Meeting with Kathy and Mike this week, I know these kind of conversations were had. Asking some of the deeper questions of life to one another and to God.

I have the sacred invitation to stand in this space frequently and no matter the circumstances these deeper, existential questions, if they are not yelling at us from the void, they hide in the secret places of grief. We crave answers to the deeper questions: What does God require of us? How should we live? In Micah 6:8, the prophet offers us a beautiful and simplistic truth:

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

This verse is a compass for life, cutting through complexities to guide us in our relationship with God and others. Today, as we honor the life of Woodene’s life, we reflect on this passage, its timeless wisdom, and how it invites us to live a life that pleases God.

Background of Micah 6:8

The book of Micah was written during a time of moral and spiritual decline in Israel. The people were caught up in ritualistic worship, assuming that sacrifices and religious duties would earn God’s favor. However, they neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In Micah 6, the prophet paints a courtroom scene, with God calling His people to account.

The people ask, What offerings should we bring? Burnt offerings? Thousands of rams? Rivers of oil? Even our firstborn? (Micah 6:6-7). These exaggerated questions reveal their misunderstanding of what God truly desires. In response, Micah delivers God’s clear and powerful answer: God does not delight in empty rituals but in a heart aligned with His character.

Micah 6:8 distills God's expectations into three profound yet simple commands:

Act Justly – Live with integrity, fairness, and righteousness.

Love Mercy – Extend compassion and steadfast love to others.

Walk Humbly with Your God – Maintain a close, reverent relationship with God, recognizing His sovereignty and grace.

Honoring Woodene: A Life Reflecting the Simplistic Truth

As we remember Woodene, we are reminded of the simplicity and beauty of a life lived according to these principles. I want to pause here and acknowledge this is the first time I have preached this text in a celebration of life. Even Kathy noted the peculiarity of her mom choosing this text for her own service, but then came to the realization that it was at Bob’s service and at Christopher’s service. Still how does this text reflect Woodene’s life? Well Kathy turned in her own bible to this passage and found a commentary on “Living the Simplistic Truth” and realized that Woodene embodies the simple and yet full truth found here.

For example…

When asked how she could find a way to not only survive but to thrive with young children as a single mom before Bob came along… she calmly said there was no time to worry. “Laziness was not an option”…. Simple and straightforward.

Acting Justly: Justice is about fairness, respect, kindness, but also about accountability. This might have been felt as a quiet but enforcable disciplinarian raising 6 kids while working two jobs. You all will be in church twice on Sunday and every Wednesday. At the table for dinner by 6, etc.

Integrity in her work, home, and marriage.

Loving Mercy:

A person who loves mercy, is one who aims to specialize in compassion, helpfulness, or to provide comfort.

This is not to say that she couldnt harrass a potential suitor for her daughter or exchange a little whimsical back and forth.

Mercy is one of those characteristics that is too often considered a position of weakness. At least in our American modern culture. Mercy is actually a position of power. Living without the need to tear down someone or make someone feel small.

Walking Humbly with God:

Humility though is one that undergirds the first two and likely is a requirement for the possibility of them at all. It is incredible to me that one of the lingering questions or desires was if she was a good mom. And to most standards, given some of the afflictions faced, she would far exceed the average. However that humility is a position that allows God to exceed what otherwise could have been possible. Humility makes normally merciless people love mercy, and normally injust humanity, seek to help another.

Even in the hardest days this simplistic pursuit of humility shined brightly. Never complaining, always showing gratitude to any caregiver.

Now…there is a tendency to hyper emphasize the best qualities of someone like this and I think that is ok. But sometimes we can crown our deceased loved one as an earthly saint. Woodene was not perfect. She was not always and in every situation just, merciful, or humble. Human experience tells us the best of us can’t reduce the complicated life to just this simple truth. Life medicine we take in the morning and everything will be just alright.

The people of Israel knew that. Or they would. Only God could model this simple life and help us to do it. Jesus came to show true justice, mercy, and humility we were destined to. And in his death…all of our injustice, merciless, and pride was crucified….AND in his resurrection the simple power of Micah 6:8 is more than a helpful framework, it is reality for those in Christ. It is also the promise that what had begun in Woodene is now complete.

Complete healing, completely known by the one who created her. We stand in the tension of grief and eternal hope today. Grief for the God-love that shined brightly through Woodene. Hope because death is but a new and perfect beginning and a promise for all of us.

A Final Encouragement

As we say goodbye to Woodene, let us honor her legacy by embracing the truth of Micah 6:8 in our own lives. Let this verse be a reminder that the most meaningful life is not necessarily the most complicated but the one rooted in God’s purpose: a life marked by justice, mercy, and humility.

Hymn - I’ll fly away

Stand and sing

Benediction

The peace of God He which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.