A Mother’s Influence
2 Tim 2:5-7
Today is a special day – celebrate mothers and grandmothers
Mothers and grandmothers are the most special people on earth – closest to God’s love for children
I personally believe they have the hardest job that has ever been created
They work the longest hours; for the littlest pay; for the least appreciation
They have to be a finance manager; corporate household executive; always on call
They are psychiatrists and therapists and politicians and are supposed to never lose it
Story of little girl in Walmart crying and mother saying “It’s okay Ellen, we’re almost done; take a deep breath” Mother said that several times and never lost her cool. When checking out the cashier said she had seen her and was amazed at how patient the mother was with her daughter Ellen. The mother looked at her and said “My name is Ellen not her”
Study showed that with all Mother’s do in a given day; their multiple positions and roles and tasks; they would earn an annual income of $200k
And to top it all off, they have a tremendous responsibility on how they mold, shape, and influence their children
Today I want us to see that A Mother’s Influence can impact and be felt for several generations
We see that in our passage today 2 Tim 1:5-6 Paul sees this influence
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now live in you. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of hands”
Pray
Trans: Notice Paul says that he is reminded of Timothy’s faith – he had seen it before…mothers and grandmothers…
1. Influence our Faith
Important to notice here that Paul didn’t say GAVE Timothy their faith
Faith isn’t something that anyone can GIVE to you…but it is something that can be influenced
How? By seeing it lived out in life
Mother’s and grandmothers alike greatly influence their children and grandchildren’s faith by how they live out faith themselves
Notice that Lois, Timothy’s grandmother, lived out her faith in a way that influenced Timothy’s mother, Eunice
That faith, Paul was reminded of, because he was now seeing it in Timothy’s life
Timothy had seen both mother and grandmother live in faith and now he is also exhibiting his faith in the Lord
Our passage doesn’t go into any detail at all – but we are able to deduce mother/grandmother did something right – CAN I GET A WITNESS?
Notice that Timothy is a 3rd generation follower of Christ in this family
Mainly because of a mother’s influence who was herself influenced by her mother’s faith
I can imagine that this faith that has impacted Timothy could probably be seen through a life of devotion to God
Devotion to scripture; Devotion to prayer; Devotion to church
Faith in the lean times and times of plenty; in the good times and bad
In the failures and successes; faith in how to win and how to lose
Impact of this mother and grandmother greatly impacted Timothy’s faith…but I’m sure also the faith of others
Trans: Secondly, Paul sees that because of the influence of faith he could see that mothers and grandmothers also…
2. Influence our Gift
Everyone is given a gift; a talent; that is given by God
Mother’s and grandmother’s have a great influence on that gift
Honestly, mothers/grandmothers are a gift to children from God
There is no greater fan of a child than a mother/grandmother
God has given mothers and grandmothers the ability to see the best of their children in the worst of situations
Great encouragers to use our gift; don’t give up; try again
They help to influence confidence knowing that failure is just a set-back
Great menders of what gets broken; know just how to fix it
All the kings’ horses and men couldn’t put humpty back together again but I know his mother could
That only seems to multiply when a mother becomes a grandmother and has grandchildren
Prov 17:6 “Grandchildren are a crown to their grandparents…”
No coincidence the word CROWN is used…as in this crown is precious jewels
Psa 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord; a reward from him”
A reward is a crown if you will
When everyone else has given up and a child or grandchild; mothers and grandmothers never give up
That’s why their love is the closest to God’s love
It’s sacrificial; painful; unselfish; unrelenting; never ceasing
When everyone else sees the worst; mothers/grandmothers see the best
Mothers/grandmothers help to FAN INTO FLAME the gift given by God
They do this by helping us to strive for the best; don’t give up or give in;
Mother’s/Grandmothers have a tremendous influence on our gift given by God
They mold and shape that gift through their own faith; their own character; their own example
It is something for which we can never repay and it is something that influences several generations
CONCLUSION
SO today, mothers and grandmothers alike; we honor you and celebrate you for all you do, have done, and continue to do
In influencing our lives to live for the Lord
Mothers and grandmothers alike
1. Influence our Faith
2. Influence our Gift
This influence is far reaching and forever molding and impacts many generations to come.
Thank you mothers/grandmothers for never giving up on us!
Pray
