In Remembrance of Linda

By Bryan King

It’s been a little over a year since hearing the tragic news of Linda Collins. While many focus on the news of the day involving Linda’s murder, I chose to take time to remember who Linda was, her courage, and persevering despite consequences for doing what was right.

During our time in the legislature, we witnessed changes in political party control while major policies didn’t change. In fact, many times the changes that did happen, occurred when changes in political control did not. The reality was– promises that were supposed to come with transition not only did not happen, but actually got worse.

Linda remained true to who she said she was and did what she promised she would do, if elected. She was constant and solid in an ever-changing, fake, and deceitful political world.

When asked, “Bryan, who can you always count on in the senate to never run or flip flop when taking on the obvious wrongs and hypocrisy?” The only answer I could come up with was “Linda”.

Linda’s enemies and the media would always focus on a certain issue or position of Linda’s just to get the focus off Linda’s courage. Her courage, like light in darkness, fought corruption and called out the hypocrisy of those that preached one thing in public but did something else in Little Rock. Eph 5:11[i]

Her enemies and the press did everything possible to undermine her–all in an effort to set-up her defeat in the next election. Some of their attacks included cowardly gerrymandering her district or killing her bills for no other reason than to make her look bad or seem ineffective. Romans 1: 29-31[ii]

Linda was mindful, yet never un-deterred, despite the consequences of taking on the powers of calling out the hypocrisy of those who deserved it. She had numerous lies told about her during her last campaign, but she never quit being a voice for the many who had no voice. Proverbs 31:8[iii]

Was Linda perfect and handled every situation correctly? No. But neither was I nor anybody else.  But Linda’s direction and determination to call out corruption and take on the evil powers was so unrelenting that those powers and the media had to go to monumental efforts with lies and money to combat her speaking the truth. So many times, those that knew better would melt and run when things got tough.  But Linda kept going and was there to count on. Ezekiel 3:18[iv]

We should remember Linda, the good, the challenges, and know that our praise and reward shouldn’t come from this world and the powers of this world. Revelation 2:2[v]

Linda’s reward for her toils and tribulations is what is to be remembered as well. James 1:2[vi]

About Bryan King: Brian King (R – Green Forest) served in the Arkansas House of Representatives (2007 – 2012) and in the Arkansas Senate (2013 – 2018). He served with Linda Collins in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

[i] Eph 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

[ii] Romans 1:29-31 “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,” “Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,” “Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:”

[iii] Proverbs 31:8 “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.”

[iv] Ezekiel 3:18 “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”

[v] Revelation 2:2 “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:”

[vi] James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”