The Power Of A Woman, Part IV

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share that faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” 2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)

Eunice was a spiritually single mother. She, a Jewess, married a Greek.  She would share her life but not her faith with her husband. When they had a so, she named him Timothy, “one who fears God.” Eunice truly brought up Timothy to sincerely respect God, as his name would suggest. He grew into a man known for his faith.

How?

How did Timothy grow into such a man of God to inspire Paul to call him, “a son in faith”? (2 Timothy 1:2, NLT) A firm faith foundation, committed caring Christians, and a great dose of God’s grace all factor into this equation.

Timothy’s mother, Eunice, was known for her faith.  She taught Timothy all she knew from little up. I’d hazard a guess she also prayed for him relentlessly. I wonder if she wisely did not point out his father’s flaws in spiritual thinking but demonstrated Christian love and obedience by loving and being submissive to her husband. She might have encouragingly highlighted his gifts and taught Timothy to respect his father simply because he was his father.

She laid the foundation, teaching by teaching, story by story, and prayer by prayer each day trusting that God would bless her efforts.

She was imperfect, just as you and I are. Yet I believe she demonstrated before Timothy what we all need to do: confess our sins to God, and then receive His grace.

She might have been a single mom spiritually, but she had some help. Lois, her mother, shared Eunice’s faith and fervor for passing it on to Timothy. I imagine Lois not only reinforced her daughter’s teaching but prayed over them both for God’s hand on their lives. I would believe she was a God-sent encouragement to her daughter during those days she wondered if young Timothy would ever ‘get it.’

But young Timothy did eventually ‘get it’ and grew into a man of zealous faith.

I don’t know where you are today. Are you a single parent or a spiritually single parent? Do you fear for your child’s spiritual future?

Don’t allow fear to freeze you.

Do What You Can

Lay That Faith Foundation – Weave Scripture into daily life.  Tell Bible stories.  Study Scripture in an age-appropriate manner. Attend church, Sunday school, and youth group.

Pray – Everyday, pray for your child’s faith and future faith. God hears. God sees. God knows. He knows the plans He has for you and for your child.

Enlist Support – You don’t have to do this alone. Ask a prayer partner to pray for you and your child through these years. Join a mom’s group where mom’s share and pray together for their families. Facilitate friendships with Christians for each of you.

Grow in Grace –  Trust God with your efforts. Claim Romans 8:28 over your mistakes. Model what grace looks like and accept it from God. Allow your child to see your shortcomings and how to appropriately deal with them.

I imagine Eunice had some of the “those days” with Timothy. She probably wondered if she were raising the next hooligan. But she persevered. She prayed. And, she trusted God. When it was all said and done, her son did grow up to be a man “who feared God.”

And she did what she as a mother was supposed to do: lay that foundation of faith. Her husband may not have assisted in that goal, but God did provide what she needed.

 

Reflections:

 

How can I positively influence my children, grandchildren or children around me?

How can I support and encourage moms in laying that foundation of faith?

 

Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, May 16 for the next post. Happy Mother’s Day!