#118 Finding Joy in Suffering with Linda Hardesty

I had the privilege of interviewing my dear friend Linda Hardesty, a woman of incredible strength and faith. Over the 25 years of our friendship, I’ve seen Linda endure tremendous heartbreak while always finding a way to maintain joy and gratitude. Linda’s story is one of resilience and unwavering faith, even in the face of unimaginable loss. When her daughter Brooke was tragically killed, Linda’s faith was her anchor. She recalled how, despite the heartache, she forgave Brooke's killer the very night it happened, believing that this act of forgiveness allowed God to pour graces over her and help her support her devastated husband.

Linda’s journey with faith began when she met her husband John, a Catholic. Despite not being raised in a religious household, Linda was drawn to the rituals and beauty of the Catholic Church. Over the years, her faith deepened, and when Brooke died, it was her faith that saw her through. Linda spoke of the peace she found in prayer, especially in turning to Mary, the mother of Jesus, for comfort. As she took on the role of mother and grandmother to Brooke's son, Trey, Linda’s devotion to Mary grew stronger, providing her with the strength to fill the void left by Brooke’s absence.

Trey became a source of immense joy for Linda. She cherished their time together and found solace in being a mother figure to him. Trey would light up the room even from a young age and he was loved by so many. Again, Linda experienced another devastating loss when Trey died of an overdose. Linda’s faith and the support of her family and community helped her walk through this loss. Her story is a testament to the power of faith, forgiveness, and the profound impact of love and community in overcoming life’s darkest moments.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, and the founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry, she equips and encourages middle-life women to encounter the love of the Father and to be transformed and healed by the power of the Holy Spirit so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.