Memories as we walk

As I begin the blog this week I should explain, for those who don't know the photo on the right is of Lila Weir, Shonas' Mum, to many of us she was affectionally known as "Lal". The photo was taken up at Dukes Pass in June 2006.

It was just over three years ago "Lal" went home, at the age of 88, to be with her Lord and Saviour.  Lal was no ordinary lady she was not just a mother to her four children.  She was without doubt a mother figure to many and an encourager to everyone she met. 

Often when we were out, she would meet a perfect stranger and the next thing any of us knew she was in a full blown conversation. Of course Lal would say to us she only talked a lot because she was shy, this led to the family joke, "don't look now but there's Lal being shy again".

There is hardly a day that passes where we do not remember her in one way or another. Often with a laugh and a smile. In fact, we used to say to her we enjoyed taking her out for the day or on holiday for she "gave us a laugh at her antics".

As we were out walking last week, I asked Shona what she thought Lal would have said about us attempting to walk from Lands End to John O'Groats? I immediately answered my own question by quoting one of her many sayings: "The little boy who says I'll try will climb to the hill top, the little boy who says I can't, will at the bottom stop".  We then thought that she would remind us of one of her oft quoted bible verses found in the New Testament: Philippians 4 verse 13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". This was a verse that Lal often applied to her own circumstances when her mobility started to fail, always resourceful she would work out ways of doing the seemingly ordinary daily tasks that we all take for granted.

Lal may not have been as physically able as she once was but in prayerful support of others she was unquestionably a warrior with few equals. Praying regularly especially for her family that each one of them might come to know her Lord and Saviour and learn to trust Him as she did. Also praying the same thing for many of those she came into contact with.

Another regular quote those who knew Lal would hear her say, especially if they were going  through a difficult patch was: "This too shall come to pass".

We said earlier in the blog that hardly a day passes when we do not remember "Lal" she was, and still is in our hearts a very special person and will we be eternally grateful for all her love and support.  

Before I close this blog however I am aware that she would have us remind all our readers that although she is not physically with us today Lila Weir lives on and will live on forever.  How do we know she lives on? 

We know because Lal came to know the truth of John 3 verses 16-18: "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." 

Dearest Lal we miss your physical presence for sure, but we know you have entered your final rest and are safe in the arms of Jesus. You kept the faith and you have received your well done and gone into your rest.