A FAITHFUL AND GODLY WOMAN

A FAITHFUL AND GODLY WOMAN

As we gather here this morning to celebrate and remember the dear and precious life of Lina Sanders, (unfortunately I did not have the privilege to know her), I know that many of you are dealing with mixed emotions. On the one hand, there are emotions of great sadness. Sadness not for Mrs. Sanders, because she is in a far better place, but sadness because there has been the loss of a dear loved one.

But on the other hand, there is great joy...knowing that because of the relationship that she had with the Lord Jesus Christ, that she has already been in His presence. For the scripture says in... 2 Cor. 5:6-8 “So, we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased - rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” And for the Christian there is no greater joy than to be in the presence of the One that loves them like no one else can.

You see, Lina Sanders had a relationship that carried some wonderful promises found in John chapter 14:1-3 - “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

These are the words that I have chosen to describe Lina Sanders:

1. TALKATIVE - She loved people and loved to talk. She used that gift to teach Sunday School here at Elizabeth River Baptist Church. Her father was a preacher, maybe she inherited her love of conversation from him.

2. TALENTED – Early in her life she worked at a cotton mill in South Carolina. Then later came up to Norfolk and worked the Shipyard during the war. She was a seamstress, she sewed clothes for herself and her whole family. She also worked at the fabric departments at JC Penney and Roses (even at 80 years old).

3. LOVING - This wonderful woman was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She loved everybody and went out of her way to express her love to you. She was always ready to help anyone in need. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all her heart.

4. FAITHFUL – She was faithful to her church and faithful to her Lord.

IN CONCLUSION...Lina Sanders left a great legacy for her family and friends...all these special traits that his wonderful woman exhibited, means that she will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN by her family and friends.

We honor Lina Sanders today and give praise and thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ who loved her and gave Himself for her. This past Wednesday, Lina Sanders stepped into the portals of glory - and I know that she was happily greeted by her Lord and Savior and those that proceeded her.

Lina Sanders was the kind of person that gives us one more reason for making heaven our home. We want to see her again and walk those streets of gold with her. I believe Jesus said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant - enter into the joys of the Lord.” 2 Timothy 4:7,8 says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”