“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:3-7
As Paul writes this second letter to Timothy, he writes about a godly lineage by telling Timothy that the sincere faith Timothy has first dwelt in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Paul says that he is sure that faith dwells in Timothy as well.
As we celebrate mothers and motherhood this week, let us never forget the value of a godly heritage. In the eyes of our modern world motherhood is not very highly esteemed. In some places motherhood is despised. I think as we reflect upon our mothers this week, we should not only remember the untold ways that they have provided for us and blessed us, but let us not forget how instrumental mothers (and fathers) can be in passing on faith to the next generation. And mothers we do thank you for all that you do and have done.
I still remember learning of Christ from my mother at a very young age. I remember her encouraging me to know Christ and God’s Word and to pray. More than anything else, I am grateful to my mother for passing on to me the gift of faith.
As parents we know that ultimately, we are not responsible for the salvation of our children. I cannot save my children. You cannot save your children. It is God who saves. But no matter what stage of life we are in child, parent, or grandparent, we can seek to pass on truth about who Jesus is and pray that God would cause the increase. Maybe you didn’t share Christ in an earlier time, but you may still have an opportunity to share with the next generation the good news about Jesus.
And for all of us who are reflecting upon our mothers, let us indeed give honor to where honor is due and thank God for motherhood.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12