“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the 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).
Never underestimate the power that a mother or grandmother can have on a child. Timothy was young but because he had a “genuine faith” that he inherited from his mother and grandmother, he was an invaluable asset to Paul in his missionary journeys.
Since Timothy’s father was a Greek (Acts 16:1), it was left to his faithful maternal Jewish forebears to provide him such a solid grounding in the holy scriptures from childhood that he easily accepted salvation in Jesus (2 Tim. 3:14-15). Because they raised a son who went on to work powerfully in the first century church in Ephesus, they left a legacy.
Lois and Eunice encourage you today as you nurture and educate the younger generation. Cultivating the younger generation is your legacy. You could be laying the groundwork for faith, right now, in an amazing son or daughter or grandson or granddaughter who will go on to do great things for Jesus’ kingdom. By exercising your sincere faith, even as a surrogate parent or grandparent, you could be a crucial godly influence in a young person’s life.
As you look back at your life, you can probably list people who had a profound influence for good on who you are today. I know I can. Some of those people influenced me for good by their virtuous actions and behaviour alone, not just Mums and Grandmas.
Whatever happens hereon in, life will continue and one day you won’t be around any more. What is the legacy that you will leave behind? Who have you influenced for good to carry on their life of righteousness in God’s kingdom?
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10 NKJV).
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