My Mother’s Most Precious Gift

Mother’s Day provides us with the opportunity to express our gratitude toward our mothers and to celebrate them for who they are. For those who have given so much, we show our appreciation by giving to them. Oftentimes, this comes in the form of cards and presents. These gifts serve to encourage mothers. However, a mother’s most precious gift is not merely a card that can be written nor is it a present that can be wrapped. A mother’s most precious gift is a gift she longs to give to her children and a gift she hopes to receive from them: a testimony of a sincere faith in Christ.

Two Shining Examples

As the Apostle Paul nears the end of his life, he writes to his son in the faith, Timothy. The words he shares with him are found in the book of 2 Timothy. After a brief introduction, Paul gives thanks to God for his son in the faith. Paul’s prayer is filled with remembrance of close relationships. Paul is reminded of his close gospel partnership with Timothy, longing to see his son in the faith again. Yet, even though Paul sees Timothy as his son in the faith, the Apostle knows the immense impact blood-related family members have had on Timothy’s Christian faith. Two shining examples are mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:5, Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. What this passage demonstrates can be summed up by the influence of a grandmother and the impact of a mother on a son’s life.

The Testimony of a Sincere Christian Faith

The effect these two women had on Timothy’s life go beyond generalities. Listen to what Paul reminds Timothy of in 2 Timothy 1:5, “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”. What Lois passed down to Eunice and what Eunice passed down to Timothy was a gift they had been given and they hoped Timothy would receive and give as well: a testimony of a sincere Christian faith. These women knew they could not force Timothy to trust in Christ alone for salvation, but their words and lives could speak truth into Timothy’s life. As Timothy witnessed such a testimony, he would see something he desired. As God softened his heart to the gospel and opened his eyes to his sin and need for Jesus, Timothy trusted in Christ alone for salvation and was indwelt with the Holy Spirit.

My Mother’s Gift

This testimony of a sincere Christian faith is the most precious gift a mother can give to her children and receive from her children. I thank God my mother has given such a gift to me. To witness her enduring faith in Jesus through hardships and trials, I have seen what it means to trust God even when life hurts. To watch her daily dependence on God when things don’t make sense has been an encouragement to me in my walk with Christ. As she has given to me the most precious gift she can, my prayer is I would give the gift of a testimony of a sincere Christian faith in return.