“My beloved son, I pray for a greater release of God’s grace, love, and total well-being to flow into your life from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ! I’m filled with joy as I think of your strong faith that was passed down through your family line. It began with your grandmother Lois, who passed it on to your mother, Eunice. And it’s clear that you too are following in the footsteps of their godly example. I’m writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you. For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:2,5-7 TPT
We are either blessed with the lives of our Mothers and Grandmothers as they continue to live within our surroundings, or hopefully, we have loving memories from their lives and teachings. I feel honored to have been given the privilege of being both a Mother and a Grandmother, and I realize my children and my grandchildren are constantly observing me. The way we live, our actions, and the words we speak tell of who we are, and no matter where we are, someone is watching and listening.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is speaking to Timothy, praying for his continued faith, and reminding him of the blessings of being raised and taught about the love of Jesus from his Mother and Grandmother. Today, we have the Bible, along with study guides to read and learn about our Savior, but Timothy only had the teachings from those two ladies who lovingly taught him about Jesus. Paul is reminding him of the help he has within himself through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Instead of fear, or anything that would hold us back, we can have this same mighty power, love, and self-control through the Holy Spirit, simply for the asking.
Heavenly Father, help us to remember, as Mothers and Grandmothers, to live our lives in ways that will portray your teachings, and love for you and those we encounter, and be ever so thankful.
In Christ Love
Margaret