In Titus chapter 2, verses 3 and 4, the elder generation of women is challenged to be holy and teach the younger women the ways of a godly woman, wife, and mother: in other words, the transforming power of the word of God. If God took the time to challenge that generation, then our generation of young wives and mothers should take great heed to learn from the older women who have served the Lord faithfully for many years before us. One way we have tried to glean the wisdom of older woman is to sit down with them and ask specific questions that we can benefit from when applying their insight to our lives. We are looking forward to a series of interviews that many young wives and mothers can read and gain great Biblical perception from. Mrs. Linda Haney is a long-standing, faithful member of our local church and she is the first of the ladies that we have interviewed for this series. Fun fact: she was interviewed by her daughter, Sharon, which makes this interview even more special! We hope you will enjoy reading her words and will get a blessing that you can apply to your own life. Without further ado, we give you the wonderful words of Mrs. Linda Haney.
Question: When did you get saved?
Answer: I was saved at the age of 8 when Jim Henson, aka Big Daddy, invited me to VBS and I loved it. After that, I went to the church on Sunday morning and met a little girl named Gail who became a lifelong best friend. Fast forward 4 years later when I was 12 years old and I was listening to the invitation song, Have Thine Own Way, when the lyrics ”I am the clay!” struck me. I didn’t go forward but at home, while walking in the yard I prayed and told the Lord that I would go forward that Sunday night. A man named Henry Buford led me to the Lord. Later that night I cried with my mom concerning how I was supposed to be different now that I’m saved. The Lord took over that part. In the next 4 years, all of my family was saved - except we weren’t sure about my Dad. Ultimately, by his testimony and by witnessing his hand raising during invitations, we felt confident he accepted Christ. He was saved at Primitive Baptist Church.
Question: What is your favorite Bible verse?
Answer: My favorite Bible verse is III John 4, which says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Question: Who is your favorite Bible character?
Answer: My favorite Bible character is Esther. I especially love how her uncle Mordecai told her that maybe she was created “for such a time as this” and I love the way she stood her ground and held to the truth despite her circumstances.
Question: What is your favorite Hymn?
Answer: My favorite hymn is “Day by Day”
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Question: What is your favorite book outside of the Bible?
Answer: I love historical romantic fiction for fun. Author Amy Carmichael’s book, A Man Called Peter is also one of my favorites.
Question: What is your favorite food?
Answer: My favorite food is a good hamburger.
Question: What does being “grounded in the truth of scripture” mean to you? How/Has that definition changed to you over the years as you’ve grown closer to Christ?
Answer: First of all we have to know the scripture and we know the scripture by reading it and listening to Biblical preaching. Scripture has allowed me to remain grounded over the years because the questions I’ve encountered during different seasons have been answered in the form of scripture. My questions have also changed over time, but God always answers by way of prayer and scripture. Different preaching has also taught me new things and promoted some change in me through the years. If I listen, I always learn new things.
Question: What does it look like, practically, to stay grounded in the truth of scripture through the challenges of life?
Answer: When you have an issue, you can go to the scripture and find the answer, and personally as you age there are so many that mean a lot like Ps 4:8 which says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makes me dwell in safety.”
Question: How has the idea of being grounded in truth impacted your marriage?
Answer: Scription has given our marriage a foundation for the ups and downs of life. We have never questioned marriage and love, but in difficult times it can be good to get understanding from your pastor and of course, through prayer.
Question: How did the idea of being grounded in truth impact your motherhood? Were there any specific books of the Bible, passages of scripture, or Bible study resources that were a particular benefit to you as you raised your children? When did you find time to pray and read your Bible as a young mother?
Answer: My desire was to teach my babies to know, love, and serve the Lord. We used Bible storybooks, record-playing daily and at bedtime of children’s songs. Anytime we had to discipline, we used scripture to guide us and for the children to learn from. Our church was one of the biggest helps along with our pastor’s wife, Mrs. Fannie Reese. Bible Quiz was also an encouragement for our children to learn the scripture. We made each quiz a family affair. I served as a scorekeeper and Larry was a judge. We also tried to insert scripture as time was available and often as they went to bed. Now these times are special times in my memory library. We often encouraged our children to take things to the Lord because He loved them no matter what. I would have to say that I wish I had told them I loved them more.
Question: How have you grown in your walk since your kids have grown up and moved away? What roles do prayer Bible reading, Bible study, hospitality, and service play in your life?
Answer: Since my kids have grown up and been out of the house, I’ve had more time to think about things. I also pray more for all my family. Bible reading and prayer have to remain the MAIN things I can do at my age along with Bible study. Due to health reasons now, I don’t have the ability to serve in the form of hospitality but when I was younger, I tried often to show love and hospitality by having people over to our house often. Unfortunately, age and health change those abilities over time.
Question: What do you wish you could say to your younger self, starting out on your journey as a new believer?
Answer: Dive headlong into service for the Lord and your church whether it is for something you can do or something you have to offer. Time to serve the Lord is fleeting and there will come a time you can’t do these things, so do them while you are young!
As you go about your day-to-day lives, even in the hustle and bustle of your busiest days, don’t forget to slow down and allow the Holy Spirit to be a present help day in and day out. It isn’t always easy, but allowing the Holy Spirit to penetrate our lives through scripture and prayer is simply a part of our walk with the Lord that cannot be overlooked. Being grounded in scripture isn’t something that just happens, it takes a concerted effort to stay in the Word, ensuring that we fully understand the Lord’s guidance on our lives. If you’re already a child of God and have accepted Him as you personal savior, make the effort to follow after the example of Mrs. Linda. But if not, please take a moment and allow us to show you how to have the personal relationship with the Holy Spirit that Mrs. Linda and so many others cherish.
