Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches
May 8, 2005
Mother’s Day
“Lessons from a Mom”
II Timothy 1:1-7
INTRODUCTION: Looking back on our lives we come up with different things that our Mothers taught us. These things still influence us today. Some things may bring smiles and other sadness, but we have all been shaped by our Mothers and Grandmothers in some very significant ways. There may be certain sayings that come to our minds today that we didn’t pay much attention to at the time. You might remember
certain traditions and holidays in your family. You might remember how you first learned to wrap packages before Christmas or how you learned to ice a cake. You might remember certain foods that still to this day comfort you when you are sick, cold, or depressed. For fun, can you come up with a “comfort food” when you were growing up that made you feel better? I remember that every time I was sick my mother would make “creamed potatoes”--what most people would call potato soup. One time when the whole
family was sick, a neighbor made “creamed potatoes” for us, but it didn’t taste like Mom’s. She had cooked it without onions and salt, and I said, “These creamed potatoes are no good. They taste musty!” You can probably think of some of these comfort foods
also. Maybe it was Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, for example, You might remember how you learned to cook, sew, or work on a car.
Today, think of some things your Mother taught you, Let us take time out to remember and appreciate the value of these experiences in our life today.
SCRIPTURE: How does this relate to our Scriptue today? The New Testament character, Timothy was influenced very early in his life by his Mother, Eunice, and his Grandmother, Lois. You might say, “So?” “What is so different about that?”
1. God Can Work in Imperfect Families: In my research I came up with some information that makes it significant. Timothy’s Mother is an encouragement
for evry woman faced with the tremendous task of building and nurturing the spiritual life
of her children. Timothy was fortunate to have had the spiritual heritage from both his Mother, and Grandmother. It was not easy for these two women to consistently follow the faith because they did not have the support of their husbands. Neither Eunice’s father nor her husband observed Judaism. In spite of that, Eunice was praised for her genuine faith which she shared with her Mother, Lois, and on to her son, Timothy. More than anyone else, her faith equipped him for a lifetime service to God. Although she did not have the support from strong male figures, yet she had two things going for her--the love
of a mother for her son and the power of God in her life. Because of her consistency, Timothy became a traveling teacher, recipient of two books of the New Testament, and tradition says he became bishop of Ephesus.
Timothy’s Mother could have easily said, “It’s not my job to instill spiritual values.
His father should be taking the leadership in this.” It would have been easier to let this slide and to let Timothy grow up without this part of his life being colored in. How often is this happening today? Parents do not feel the reponsibility to take or to send their children to Sunday school. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go
and when he is old he will not depart from it.” There may be be a long period of departure from the faith for some. I believe we can claim this scripture for our families that one day the Holy Spirit will draw them back to their spiritual roots. Timothy’s Mother could have said, “I don’t want to force religion on him. Let him choose when he grows up.” We
have seen too often that people who do not have a spiritual background continue to go through life without changing because they have developed a pattern of life without God. We have seen too often that people who do not have a spiritual background continue to go through life without changing because they have developed a pattern of life without God. We know it was not easy for Timothy’s Mother to consistently teach spiritual values but she did it. Paul called it a “sincere” or “genuine” faith. In spite of any lacks within the family, a “genuine” faith was taking root. Paul said in verse 5, “I am persuaded that this
faith now lives in you.” Today many families also do not have two parents who are teaching their children spiritual values and some do not have even one parent doing it. We
must realize that most people don’t live in “ideal, perfect families, but God will honor the faith and consistency of anyone who makes the effort to impart spiritual truth--mothers, fathers, grandparents, mentors... Do not worry about whether your family is perfect or the way it “should” or “ought” to be. Start where you are. Do what you can. Just as
Eunice and Louis were faithful, you be faithful to impart Christian values. It will take root. God will work in Imperfect Families.
STORY:
A man was commenting to a bystander, “Just look at that young person with the short hair and blue jeans. Is it a boy or a girl?”
The bystander said, “It’s a girl; she’s my daughter.”
The man, embarrassed, said, “Oh, please forgive me sir. I had no idea you were her father!”
The bystander said, “I’m not. I’m her mother.”
2. Mentors are Important: Sometimes Moms have a hard time coping with the struggles in their daily life. Here’s a list of things Mom’s definitely do not want to hear:
1. I swallowed the goldfish
2. Your lipstick works better than crayons
3. Does grape juice leave a stain?
4. The principal called...
5. But DAD says that word all the time!
6. What’s it cost to fix a window?
7. Has anyone seen my earthworms?
8. I painted your shoes pretty, huh Mommy?
Sometimes mentors can help give Mom a break once in awhile.
Story: When I was growing up there was a family who lived near us and the parents used to fight and yell and scream at each other. They had three daughters. The middle one was about my age and she went to church with us Sunday after Sunday. The
other two never went much. So for years Margaret went to church with us. They moved away, the house was torn down, and we lost track of them. After many years, I got a letter from Margaret. The older sister had died of cancer. But Margaret and her entire
family were in church and she was a Sunday school teacher. She still is today. This should be an encouragement to all of us who are involved in adding to the lives of the children of others--grandmothers, aunts, neighbors, school teachers, Sunday school
teachers. Mentors are important. In our scripture, the Apostle Paul added something to Timothy’s life. He called himself Timothy’s “spiritual father.” We can be mentors to add many things to the lives of other children both spiritually and in teaching ordinary life skills.
Paul recognized the genuine faith that was taking root in this young man. He recognized the nurturing of this Mother and Grandmother and he told Timothy to “stir up the gift of God that was within him”--to fan into flame this spark of faith that it would grow and mature. He reminded Timothy not to shrink back in timidity and fear but to be
bold and powerful to speak out the gospel message. During this time it may have been difficult for Timothy to be bold. He may have been more hesitant to speak out in his earlier life because of lack of spiritual support from his father. At any rate, the Apostle Paul stepped in and filled the gap. What he said may have been received by Timothy more
than if anyone else had said it. Today when children are being raised by a number of people, we are all a part of the care team. Mothers and grandmothers, you are contributing to the lives of other children as well as your own. Let us be alert for these
opportunities just as Paul was. Paul gave Timothy opportunities to teach and to travel with him. We can give children opportunities to do things in church, to grow and to develop their talents. Someone gave us opportunities. I believe Paul gave Timothy the
boost he needed in developing confidence in himself when he said, “God did not give us the spirit of timidty.” I think he was saying, “Timothy, you can do it! Good job!”
What does this say to us today? I believe it is an encouragement for Mothers and Grandmothers along with all who are mentors to not give up on children who lack strong influence in their families. I believe that we can step into the role not only for our own children but for the children of others who are not getting the rich heritage that Timothy
did. Where there are lacks we can extend our hand to them. We must likewise fan into flame the gift that God has placed within us and be bold to proclaim it in our families as well as in our community and in our world.
3. A Pattern--Timothy had a pattern to follow. A pattern is something we use
as a guide to build something, to keep us on course. Paul told Timothy, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching...guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...” (verse 14).
Timothy was used to having a pattern to go by in his life. There were guidelines and boundaries to show him how to live. What Eunice and grandmother, Lois, first instilled in Timothy as a young child, Paul added to it. Timothy was encouraged to live a
holy life and a disciplined one. He had structure and boundaries that kept him on track.
Many teenagers say, “I don’t think my parents care about me because they let me do as I please.” They don’t tell me what time to come home at night. They don’t set any limits. We can just do whatever we please.” Many children find inconsistencies from one day to the other. They don’t know what is right. Paul’s idea of a pattern suggests a certain
structure. There were boundaries to help Timothy know the way to go. If he would getoff track, the pattern would help him from getting too far off target. Timothy knew what his Mother expected of him. There were no vague generalizations. Families who set
reasonable guidelines for what is expected seem to fare better than those who leave it up to the whims of the moment. “What you have heard from me,” Paul said, “Keep as a pattern.” What is the expected pattern to follow? Successful Mothers, teach these
consistent patterns and ground rules for their children to follow.
CONCLUSION: Just as there were things from the scriptures that Timothy learned from his mother, grandmother, and from his mentor, Apostle Paul, you have probably come up with some things that your mother taught you as you were growing up. How
many recalled some significant things that maybe you have forgotten about?
Some things I recalled that my mother taught me are:
1. To put the Lord first and to be faithful to attend church rain or shine.
2. To be a giving person--consistently
3. To step out in faith and take a risk sometimes when you are not
completely sure what to do.
Today let us all think about what our Mothers have contributed to our lives and what we contribute to the lives of those around us. As we share consistently with others along the way, may people everywhere see God in us and be drawn closer to Him.
LET US PRAY:
