Sermon Tone Analysis

Today we have gathered to remember a life worth remembering, mourn a significant loss, and rejoice in the hope that endures.

It was Jesus who said,

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.

If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

(John 14:1-3)

Jesus told His friends Mary and Martha,

“I am the resurrection and the life.

Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.

(John 11:25-26)

Will you pray with me?

O Lord, we come to you numb from all that has taken place this last week.

Help us to grieve and help each other in this process.

Draw us close.

Help us to remember and celebrate Wendell’s life.

Help us also to gain an eternal perspective on the day.

Wendell Link was not a person who talked a great deal about his faith.

In fairness, many people of his generation viewed faith as essential, but private.

Fortunately, Alan had a conversation with Wendell many years ago now, and in that conversation, Wendell asked Christ to be His Savior.

This gives us confidence that Wendell is now with the Father and enjoying the new life he has received through the grace of God in Christ.

I liked Wendell.

One of my cherished memories is a time (it might have been Thanksgiving) Wendell and Eleanor invited my wife and me to dinner with the family.

The welcome was as warm as the hospitality.

This had to be close to 40 years ago, and I will never forget that kindness.

When Wendell came to church, he didn’t usually make many comments about the service or the sermon.

But, the fact that he came with Eleanor was a statement in and of itself.

Wendell served on the building committee that added the addition to the church.

To give you a fuller picture of Wendell’s life, I will let Barbara tell you about her dad.

[Barb Recording]

Wendell Link was tough as nails yet could be wonderfully tender as he cuddled with one of the kids or grandkids on the couch.

He had a wonderfully tender side that would sometimes come out.

Like the times he saved Bruno’s life even though others would have put him down simply because his daughter loved Bruno.

He even got ponies for the kids.

Wendell took pride in his farming.

Things always looked good in and around the farm.

He wanted his rows straight, the equipment clean, the buildings painted, and the weeds out of the drive.

His motto was clear and consistent, “you get your work done before you play.”

On the farm, everyone had work to do.

There were beans to walk, pigs to move and castrate, livestock to sort.

Farming was not his occupation; it was his calling.

Even after Wendell knew it was not safe for him to farm anymore, he loved getting reports from Brad and Christopher on the work at the farm.

He was proud of his service to his country, and I get the feeling he felt he was “just doing his job” like everyone who served.

He didn’t make a big deal out of his two bronze stars.

It always meant something to him when he could stand and be recognized as one who faithfully served his country.

He enjoyed visiting with old army buddies.

Wendell was honored when he was Fletcher’s honored guest for their Veterans Day program.

It was a long day, but it meant the world to Wendell.

He was impressed by the respect shown by the students.

He loved this country.

It was fun as I listened to everyone talk about their relationship with dad/grandpa.

His children talked about the chores and the memories they had of watching Wendell work.

Wendell wanted his children to understand hard work.

And he wanted them to take pride in their work.

Wendell had several health issues over the years, but he took things in stride and never complained.

When his eyesight failed (primarily because of a bad outcome from a medical procedure), he did not complain; he was not bitter; he adapted.

He walked to the coffee shop when Eleanor couldn’t drive him even though a lesser man would have concluded it was too dangerous.

He loved the camaraderie of the guys around the table.

One of the consequences of Wendell having eyesight issues is that his other senses seemed to be heightened.

Nurses would come into his room and start yelling, and Wendell would put his hand up and say, “You don’t need to yell.

My eyes are bad, but my ears work well.”

After all his health issues, he became more verbal.

He had a truckload of stories to tell.

He wasn’t an exceptionally sentimental man (until the later years).

He wasn’t a man who felt he needed to say, “I love you” all the time, but he showed his love in many other ways.

The Grandkids tell different stories.

They remember swinging on the swing, enjoying the quiet of the farm, sleeping in the sunroom, and even giving grandpa a hard time (especially Randy and Mitchell).

They all enjoyed the sleepovers, the breakfasts at the restaurant, and the way Grandpa made the grandkids all feel special.

Once Amanda seemed to be talking all the time, creating a weariness in those around her.

She started to develop a slight stutter.

It was Grandpa who observed that she just needed someone to listen to her.

Amy tells how she would sit between grandma and grandpa in her early adult years.

It was her job to elbow Wendell when he would fall asleep in church (that was always when someone else was preaching!)

She also credits her grandparents with expanding her tastes in food.

Wendell would tell stories that seemed farfetched and would tell them with great detail.

The various kids (especially Christopher) would check out these details on the Internet (wondering if Grandpa imagined things) only to find out he was not only telling the truth . . . he had remembered all the details with uncanny accuracy!

The family also shared some of Wendall’s secrets.

For example, Eleanor would send him to the coffee shop with only so much money so he would drink coffee and not eat anything.

(She didn’t want him getting fat!)

However, he always seemed to find a little money for something to eat!

She also never let him have candy (so he stashed all his candy out in the barn!)

He loved Eleanor.

They loved to travel, play cards, and do things with their family.

Their door was always open.

They might bicker with each other, but YOU had better not come at either of them because they would unite against you.

Wendell was a man of integrity who had a great work ethic.

He provided well for his family.

He respected the land and had a tender heart, and he admired anyone who worked hard.

If you knew Wendell, you liked him.

I know I did.

[Word of God Speak]

There is a gem of a passage tucked away in the corner of the book of Ecclesiastes.

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.

And the day you die is better than the day you are born.

2 Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties.

After all, everyone dies—

so the living should take this to heart.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter,

for sadness has a refining influence on us.

4 A wise person thinks a lot about death,