Life Talk

Thank God for Praying Mothers

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:15

Devotional:
I come from a long line of praying mothers and grandmothers on both sides of my family. Matriarchs who made sure their children knew where to turn to when we find ourselves in the valleys and how to praise on the mountain tops. We find many of these mothers throughout scripture. One of the most underrated mothers in scripture, in my opinion, is mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:5. Paul is writing to Timothy and says, “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that faith continues strong in you.” Later in Chapter 3, verse 15, Paul writes, “You have been taught the holy scriptures since childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” For Timothy, it all began at home with a God fearing mother. A mother that trusted in God. A mother that made sure her son knew the scriptures from a young age. A mother that led by example.

Growing up, there was no such thing as sleeping in on a Saturday or during the Summer months. Early in the morning, the smell of French vanilla coffee would permeate the air, my mother’s favorite coffee creamer of choice. Behind the closed door of my room, I could hear her battle cries as she stormed heaven for those that she loved. She would speak life into her church and her ministry, praying for each kid within her youth group by name. She would pray that God would send workers to her ministry that were ready to pour into the lives of the next generation. She would declare victory over any sickness in her body or that of my Dad’s. But most of all, I would hear her cry out for her children, that we would walk in the path of righteousness and we would allow God to use the gifts we had been given. I didn’t appreciate it while I was a teenager. But now, long after she is gone, I realize that her prayers have echoed throughout every season of my life. Prayers, that although she was not here to see them answered, did not return void. In some of the darkest times of my life, I have reflected on the life of my mother, how she handled her troubles. I remember seeing her worship at the altar at church when anyone else who was dealing with what she was going through might’ve already given up. I remember seeing her continuously pouring into others when she was running low herself. I remember seeing the faithfulness of God throughout her entire life.

Our children are watching us. Every morning when I get ready, Evie copies every single step in my make up routine. I use a brush on my face, she steals a brush and uses it on her face. I put on lipgloss, she puts on lip gloss. She has her eyes glued to my every movement. Our children notice the details. They see how we handle every day life. They see how we worship. They see how we pray. Without her even realizing it, one of the greatest gifts that my mom ever gave me were her prayers. Let our greatest legacy be our children had a mother who showed them Jesus.