Funeral Sermon by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, for Linda Louise Nikiforuk, based on selected verses from Proverbs 31; Romans 8:35-39; and John 14:1-6, at Bawlf Lutheran Church, on April 26, 2024, at eleven o’clock.
Linda Louise Nikiforuk has left this life for her eternal home in heaven. The last days of Linda’s life were not easy, suffering from cancer. Nor was it easy for you loved ones to see her suffer. All of you who loved and knew her most will certainly miss her.
Our Bible passage from Proverbs 31 could very well refer to Linda. The text describes a strong, gifted, resourceful, hardworking, caring and loving woman. Linda had all of those characteristics and more. Some of the other gifts and skills Linda’s family shared with me were her patience, her positive and accepting attitude towards others, her kindness and friendliness, and her generosity.
Family was extremely important to Linda. She cared for her husband Larry for as long as she was able. She loved to cook for her family, especially her grandkids. She obviously loved cooking for the community too—Linda ran the Bawlf restaurant alone for about 18 years. Like the busy woman described in our passage from Proverbs, Linda kept herself busy with crafts of various kinds.
Because Linda was a sociable person, she was involved in the community with the Lions Club, Bawlf School, Bawlf Lutheran Church, and was librarian of Bawlf Library. She also supported Alberta Children’s Hospital and the Cross Cancer Centre.
All of this reminds me of our passage from Romans 8, where the apostle Paul reassures us of God’s love for us all in Christ Jesus. Paul lists several things that are not easy, circumstances in life that are related to and can cause sufferings of various kinds. In Linda’s life there were challenges and hardships—like, for example, the death of four-year-old daughter Lori Anne, and husband Larry’s illness, as well as her own illness at the end of her life. Such circumstances, challenges and hardships can cause people to doubt or wonder about God’s love for us. The apostle Paul who went through many hardships, challenges and sufferings reassures us all that absolutely nothing, even the worst-case scenarios, will not be able to separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord. That gives all of us hope and comfort. Jesus loves us in all circumstances, just as your beloved Linda loved you, her family members, in all circumstances.
Speaking of Linda’s passionate love for you family members, that reminds me of Linda’s home. Those who occupy a dwelling determine whether it is merely a house or truly a home. The difference between the two is obvious even to a stranger who crosses the threshold for the first time.
A true home has character. A home with character is a home without pretense. It puts up no false front. A true home is a haven of hospitality. No one in need is ever turned away. No one who seeks a shoulder to cry on need look any farther. The door is always open to the friendly visitor. A true home is the lodging place of love.
Speaking of a true home which is the lodging place of love, Jesus, in our passage from John 14, gives us a wonderful promise. He tells us that he is going to prepare a dwelling place for us in our eternal home—heaven. One day he will come for us to take us there, just as he has done now for Linda. This is Linda’s permanent home, and it will also be our permanent home. Just as Linda loved and gave of herself by caring for her loved ones—so in her eternal home in heaven she will be loved and cared for by the LORD.
She is in her home where there are no more tears, pain and suffering. No more cancer to rob her of health. No more death. Only life in all of its fullness. Life with a capital L. Love with a capital L. Peace with a capital P. Perfect life, perfect love, perfect peace.
One day, hopefully you her family members, and indeed everyone here today will want to go to this permanent home in heaven too. Jesus tells us how that will happen. He tells us that he is the way, the truth and the life. He tells us that no one comes to God the Father except through him. We can follow his way, he will lead us in the right path, where we need to go. We can trust his truthfulness—unlike all the false news, conspiracy theories, identity theft, and deceitful worldly truths today. We can live a meaningful life fully now because he blesses us abundantly, and we also can live now with a hopeful future, looking forward to eternal life in the heavenly home.
What a beautiful promise this is! As the old saying goes: “There’s no place like home.” Isn’t that true? Especially if we’ve been gone away from home for a long time—it is so good to be home. If you have been away from your spouse and family, isn’t it great to have them welcome you back home? Picture it in your heart and mind: Jesus who is our way, truth and life, has gone ahead of us to heaven to prepare our eternal home. He has organized everything—all that we need for the whole of eternity is looked after. WOW! Isn’t that wonderful! What a gift—that’s why we call it God’s grace.
May God’s grace, help you all to believe in and trust that Jesus is your way to your eternal heavenly home, where you will meet Linda and all other loved ones!
