Footprints of faith

Alvin and Carol Lautermilch

Katie Lautermilch stepped on heaven's shore December 18, 1995. Amid the footprints she left behind, the most remarkable were discovered in the Bible that Mom used for both private study and church worship. It was familiar to all of us in the family, as we saw her read it in private devotion at home and we knew it would be in her purse for the Sunday morning service. Now more than ever, we cherish it, despite the tattered binding and loosened pages.

Among the footprints left in this Bible were various handwritten notes that obviously were precious to her. There was a poem addressing faithfulness in church service, as well as a list of "The Master's Questions", with the lead ing inquiry focussed on John 21:15: "Lovest thou Me more than these?"

A note written on brilliant yellow paper read: "If we were always on a mountain top, we would miss what God has been able to teach us in the valleys." The unsteady handwriting indicated that this was recorded in her later years while she was likely reviewing the lessons she had learned in her 91 years of life.

Another footprint was the collection of underlined and highlighted Bible verses. Many of these passages focussed on faith, such as Hebrews 11-12, Philippians 4, Romans 4 and Galatians 3:11-12. Mom had a quiet simple faith that endured the pressures of her life; she prayed faithfully for individual family members, and her faith was translated into actions of love.

Another series of underlined verses spoke of God's presence in times of difficulty. Mom certainly had seen troubled times, but Scriptures such as Psalm 32:8 and Jeremiah 33:3 undoubtedly sustained her.

The highlight of our findings was a brass bookmark with the inscription, "Extra Special Christmas". This had probably been given to her by one of the children or grandchildren years ago, but what a special Christmas it was for her in 1995, her first Christmas in heaven. Just days before that special day, we as a family stood hand in hand around her bed and prayed with her as the angels came to take her home.

We miss her, but we are comforted by the footprints she left behind for us to see. We know that someday we will follow her to heaven. Thanks, Mom, for the footprints.

Alvin and Carol Lautermilch live in Medicine Hat, Alta.

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