DANCING IN THE RAIN: LINDA WINICK

Ask a hundred people who knew Linda Winick and you’ll get hundred and one responses of “her smile” as her most impressionable quality. She left an indelible impact on anyone she met.

Linda happily went in with all heart to anything she committed herself to – from 4-H as a child, community work as a homemaker and serving in her church during the last seven years of her life. No other earthly commitment mattered as much as her family – and she had a lot of them to love.

Family Matters

Next to her husband Wilson, her five children and their spouses and the nineteen grandchildren they gave her, were the apple of her eye. And she was a great-grandmother five times over.

Kind-hearted

Joanne Fraser says, “When our family first moved to Edmonton four years ago, we knew no one. We started to attend North Pointe, and I signed up immediately for the ladies bible study as a way to get to know someone. I was placed in Linda’s group.

Linda took the time each week to talk and ask me how I was doing and to ask about my high schooler, encouraging me each week to hang in there, things will get better and to pray with me. Once bible study ended, we continued to get together for coffee and lunch. We even had plans to get together the day before she had her stoke.

Linda was there for me when I was so lonely those four years ago, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have developed a warm friendship with such a loving person.

I will miss my special friend.”

Linda’s Fine Qualities

Strong
Beautiful
Good hugs
Courageous
Generous
Sincere
Strong-willed
Understanding
Always smiling

Heart’s Desire

Evelyn Kozak who passed the leadership baton for North Pointe’s seniors ministry reflects, “She was oh so willing to go the extra mile in helping. Linda will be remembered as a gentle person, meek and mild and always ready to serve others.

Linda’s hearts desire was that all her family and friends would personally experience the joy of knowing Jesus as their Savior and Lord.”

Devoted

Anyone who did not know Linda’s story, assumed she grew up in the church all her life. She and Wilson came to North Pointe quite reluctantly. Only the request of her granddaughter to hear her sing in a 2009 children’s Christmas choir compelled them to go to church.

Once in there was no stopping her.

It was in early February 2010 that Linda decided to cross the faith line and follow Jesus. Wilson was not far behind. She and Wilson, her daughter Stacey and granddaughter Cassandra were all baptized at North Pointe in June 2010.

Linda faithfully served at as a Women’s Bible Study leader, Day Camp volunteer, greeter, Alpha volunteer and was devoted by attendance almost every Sunday of the year. She was all in as a follower of Jesus.

Jocelyn and I think of Linda as the epitome of what Jesus wants to accomplish in His followers. Jesus came to not only make a way from earth to heaven but to bring heaven to our lives while we’re on earth.

Linda’s earthly goodness was a result of her being so heavenly-minded.

Dance In The Rain

One of Linda’s favorite quotes says a lot about her life perspective.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. Its about learning to dance in the rain.”

When Wilson was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the summer of 2010, she prayed for his healing. She chose to dance in the rain. God spared his life.

Seven years later Linda suffered a stroke and was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor.

She ended up in the same critical care room at the University of Alberta Hospital that Wilson occupied. She believed for the same miracle God gave her husband. We prayed and fasted the same way we did for Wilson. Now Linda’s at peace from her storm and we are standing in the rain from her death.

Linda’s quote needs to become the inspiration for our own dance in the rain.

She would want it no other way.

APPLICATION: Please leave a comment below for Linda’s family. Share your memory of Linda. Thank you.

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I write to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose. If this material is helpful to you, please follow me

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