The Faith of the Family
How has the faith of your family, especially the faith of your mother and grandmother, influenced your life? What role does the faith of the family play in nurturing our own faith?
Our faith is mostly passed down and strengthened by our family, especially by our parents, our mothers, and our grandmothers.
The Apostle Paul wrote his spiritual son, Timothy, calling him “my beloved child,” and commending his faith, which was passed on to him through his grandmother and mother. Paul encouraged Timothy to guard the faith that was entrusted to him.
Paul wrote Timothy, saying, “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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 1:3-5, ESV).
Paul acknowledged his own faith, which he accredited first to his ancestors. Paul assured Timothy of his prayers for him, and remembered his sincere faith, which he had received, originating first in his grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice.
Paul continued, encouraging Timothy, saying, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV).
One of the best ways we can honor the legacy of the faith of our family is carry it forward, to live into the faith, and to fan into flame the gift of God passed on to us.
May we give thanks to God and live into the faith of the family of God, which was passed to us from our ancestors.
A Prayer for Saint Mary the Virgin: “O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
