“Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2Timothy 3:14-15).
Here we are as the year seems to be flying by, and it’s time to celebrate, moms. No doubt there will be in-numerable characteristics of a what a godly mother, step-mother look like and much celebrated this weekend, but for those of Christian’s i think it may be best captured in the New Testament in 2 Timothy 3:14-15, where we see the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy, his protégé, and notes the eternal influence of Timothy’s mother.
I have a feeling that what Paul had in mind with Timothy being acquainted with the Scriptures from childhood is made plain earlier in his letter: “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” (2 Timothy 1:5)
According to Luke, in Acts:16:1, Timothy’s father was Greek, but his mother was “a Jewish woman who was a believer.”
And so, it would be Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois who would be the one’s to give Timothy’s teachers and influence in the Scriptures and, under God, made him “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Let’s not forget on this Mother’s Day, the Grandmother’s who have an equal part in influencing the grandkids.
In fact check out what Deuteronomy 4:9 in the Old Testament has to say about grandmother’s: .
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and their children after them.”
In other words, a grandmother in service unto God, plays an important and valuable role in the passing on faith and wisdom to grand children and future generations.
Listen up, you who have managed to stay interested in the reading of this post on a Mother’s Day, grab mom’s hand and look in her eyes band tell her you love her; and now find that Grandmother and love on her! Maybe there’s a few Grandmother’s reading this post, well I want to encourage you, you see, and tell you that Grandmother-hood a great honor. You have a calling that is becoming a long-remembered ground of faith, not just for your children, although that’s outstanding, but — mark this — but for the untold numbers who will be affected by your children. And that’s in addition to all the other thousands of ripple effects of faith in your life.
Every Christian story book, every Bible verse, every prayer, is building up the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! Some folks might say, hey grandma, you’re retired or going to be, why not slow down?
Why?
Because, check out what it says in 1 Corinthians15:58: The verse reads, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Okay, here’s the same verse in the Phillip’s Translation, read this slowly, pause and read it again, (and again!)
“And so brothers of mine, stand firm! Let nothing move you as you busy yourselves in the Lord’s work. Be sure that nothing you do for him is ever lost or ever wasted.“
Whether your Mother’s Day afternoon for you is bittersweet, or just plain sweet, here is perhaps the single most significant thing to celebrate as a Christian Mother, or Grandmother. Let this post aspire you to be with what life we have left to live: bringing the Scriptures near to our children.
Why?
Because in this way, the charge of Hebrews 13:7 takes on new life, in you, in your family, and especially in your grandkids, to allow this special application to you in those we celebrate today: Remember your Mothers, especially those who spoke to you the word of God.
The great English Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) had such a privilege. He wrote a reflection on his own personal experience on the importance of Mother’s and Grandmother’s on their children, titled “Early Religious Impressions.”
He didn’t just say that “Fathers and mothers are the most natural agents for God to use in the salvation of their children,” but in particular he celebrates his mother.
“I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the heart as the mother who has so tenderly cared for her offspring. . . .
Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother. Certainly I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me.
I don’t know about you, but if anyone would have had the powers of speech to set forth the blessing of a godly mother, it would have been Spurgeon. And yet he knew how invaluable and ultimately indescribable is the good a godly mother is for her children. It was his mother, more than any other mere human, who was God’s means in making Spurgeon the man God went on to make.
He continues,
How can I ever forget her tearful eye when she warned me to escape from the wrath to come? I thought her lips right eloquent; others might not think so, but they certainly were eloquent to me.
How can I ever forget when she bowed her knee, and with her arms about my neck, prayed, “Oh, that my son might live before Thee!” Nor can her frown be effaced from my memory — that solemn, loving frown, when she rebuked my budding iniquities; and her smiles have never faded from my recollection — the beaming of her countenance when she rejoiced to see some good thing in me towards the Lord God of Israel.
And so, it is, that on a late Mother’s Day Sunday afternoon, that I should write about the important and valuable role that mom’s and yes, grand-mom’s have on their families, their children, and their children, and friends, especially when they give them the gift that last forever, the word’s of God, Himself. I want to close with this verse, that emphasizes that mom’s and grandma’s and fathers and grand dads, never give up raising and bringing their kids back to the Lord. It’s never too late, it’s never too much.
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”. This proverb highlights the importance of early instruction and guidance, emphasizing that consistent and godly upbringing can lead to a child’s continued adherence to righteous principles throughout their lives.
Oh, and a very Happy Mother’s AND Grandmother’s day!
Walking the Berean Road 