by Jerry Senn
“To Timothy…I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”
—2 Timothy 1:3a, 5
As Paul looked at Timothy, he saw a young man strong in knowledge about Christ and ready to be a servant leader in the Kingdom. Why was this the case? It was clearly because of the godly women in his life, a grandmother Lois and a “mom” Eunice.
Of all the ways Timothy had been blessed, the greatest thing they passed on to him was “sincere faith.” This faith is “real” not fake. It is solid in every situation and gives stability and inner strength. Timothy proved a tremendous friend and Paul and great servant of God.
Faith isn’t inherited, but it is surely passed from generation to generation through the godly influence of parents. Timothy grew up hearing God’s word in a favorable environment and with encouragement to give himself to the service of his Lord.
In a letter Paul sent to brethren in Philippi he said this: “I hope…to send Timothy to you soon…For I have no one like him, who is genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel” (Philippians 2:19–22).
God’s most effective method of bringing the world to Christ and for building great faith is for parents, like Lois and Eunice, passing on their sincere faith to their boys and girls.
Four scholars were arguing over Bible translations. One said he preferred the KJV because of its beauty and eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the ASV for its literalism, the way it moves the reader with a confident feeling of its accuracy from the original text. A third man preferred Moffatt because of its quaint, penetrating use of words. After giving the issue further thought, the fourth scholar chuckled and responded, “I personally prefer my mother’s translation. Yes, she translated it. She translated each page of the Bible into life, it is the most convincing translation I ever saw.”
Mothers like Lois and Eunice today would agree with that particular scholar. We have in our congregations of the church many such examples of sincere faith, who would also agree with John’s famous remark, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). May their tribe increase!!! Indeed, “Mom’s are Special” !!!