How many of you know my favorite scripture? (Pause) You should. It’s on a poster in the Gathering Room. It’s 1 Timothy 4:12 which says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith, and by being sexually pure.” It’s the scripture that I based my life and my ministry upon. I resonate with Timothy a lot, and something Paul said about Timothy struck me. 2 Timothy 1:5 says: “I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you.”
Timothy grew up learning about God. Whether in church or Sunday School or CORE (well, the Greek version of CORE) and even around of dinner table. He had two generations of faith to learn about the wonders of God. A lot of us may be able to say our mothers did the same thing for us. My mother did. I grew up going to church every Sunday, even on those Sundays where I moaned, groaned, and cried (I really didn’t want to go to church some Sundays). She was one that helped start getting involved with the church. She was in the UMW and helped out in finances, and I started helping out with the audio set-up and ushering. When our home church closed down, and we were church homeless for about a year I believe, she still showed her faith that we’ll get back to church. In 2010, we found Mt. Morris First UMC. Little did we know how involved our family would get. As of now all members of my family served different parts of that church. I served the Youth and Kids Min, SPRC, and Nominations. My sister has been the Nursery Attendant. My dad was a Trustee, Ad Board Chair, and part of their Memorial Committee. My mom works as a Communion steward still. Her giving heart still shines through her work in the church. That giving heart shines bright in me because of her. Her family has always been rooted in the church, with a servanthood heart. She had it instilled in her and passed it along to me and my sister. Her giving shines in us. She has given so much to me, whether it’s love, food, car rides, influence, comfort, laughter, and so much more. She has seen me through highs and lows and still held her faith in me and in God that His provision will show. So shoutout to my mom for raising the best kid ever! She celebrated her birthday yesterday too, so she gets an extra special weekend, but I pray that I can celebrate her the other 363 days a year for being the best mom a guy can I ask for.
Not only have I had an awesome mother, but I’ve also had a lot of church moms that have shaped me. In the 11 years I’ve been really involved in church work, there have been a lot of powerful, faith-filled, and loving church moms that have a huge role in my life. I’m not going to name names so that I don’t show favoritism because everyone has a place in my heart, but to those church moms that have met me where I’ve been and still stayed around to encourage, love, pray, cheer, laugh, cry, and be frustrated with me, all I can simply say is thank you. There’s some of my church moms that are still with us and there’s some that are celebrating up in Heaven, but I hold everyone in my heart for helping to mold me in who I am today.
Timothy had 2 generations of faith to grow up with, and it led him to be Paul’s protégé. I’ve had 2 generations + many more throughout the church. That is a blessing beyond blessing. All of my moms have mothered my faith in ways that I can’t put into words, so I want to celebrate you today. Thank you!
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