Godly Heritage

by: Sista CalaThe text for today's post is IITimothy 1:5-7.

5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

As a young pastor, Timothy had much to learn about dealing with the business of the church. His inexperience no doubt could lead to frustration. The Apostle Paul sent these words of encouragement along with various instructions concerning the ministry. Verses 3 and 4 speak of Paul's concern and prayer for his beloved son.

The part that strikes a chord in me is the last phrase of verse 5. Paul recognized and affirmed the faith that was in Timothy. He compared that faith to that of his mother and grandmother. Like Timothy, I too have a godly heritage. My great-grandmother was instrumental in the founding of my home church. She and grand-daddy were charter members. They raised 7 children who followed in the faith, one of which was my Granny Coy. My mother was her oldest child; she too walked with God.

My sister has revealed in this blog some of the difficulties we faced as we were growing up. Yet in the hard times we clung to our faith in God, that faith that first dwelt in our grandmother and our mother. They taught and trained us from birth. They put the Word of God into us. The lavished us with their prayers. They infused our lives with faith.

When trials come, when circumstances are out of my control, when the nights are filled with tears, when questions abound, I draw upon the memories of those saintly women. I have often remarked that I am not made of the same stuff my mother was.
Today, I want to take it back. I am made of the same stuff, by the same Creator, and I have the same faith. I have power, love, and a sound mind. Thanks be to God and Momma.