Eunice and Lois with Timothy by DJD(Partridge, c 1885)
The Strength of Women
Eunice and Lois
In 2 Timothy, Paul writes to his “dear son” 2 Timothy 1;2, I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5.
This short passage is easily overlooked. Eunice and Lois are not mentioned elsewhere, but Timothy, their grandson and son respectively, is a key figure in the New Testament. The strong spiritual influence of these women guided and inspired Timothy and his ministry. The old saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” is absolutely true. A Christian home provides the foundation for a secure and confident individual who has empathy and respect for others. A child raised in a Christian home can make the world a better place and enrich the lives of everyone they encounter.
The fact that Paul included mention of Eunice and Lois in his letter is significant. He acknowledged the source of Timothy’s deep faith. Home life matters.
Last year, when my granddaughter was six years old, her church announced a trip overseas to send aid to Ukranian refugees. My granddaughter took all this in and asked her teacher if she could ask other children to donate stuffed animals to give to the children of Ukraine. Her school is affiliated with her church, so the process was easy. Once the stuffed animal drive was announced, the donations came rolling in. In all, over 600 were collected. The church had little necklaces made for each stuffed animal that said, “I love you,” in the Ukrainian language, and they were included when the group went to Ukraine.
One Sunday, a brief time later, the pastor of my granddaughter’s church called her forward and sat with her on the steps leading up to the alter. He asked the six-year-old why she suggested the stuffed animal drive. She answered, “So the children can hold the “lovies” when they are afraid, and it will make them feel better.” My heart melted. This young child recognized a need and figured out a way she could help.
In his sermon, the pastor acknowledged my granddaughter’s sweet gesture and her upbringing. “Something is being done right in her home, at the dinner table, at bedtime prayers.” Home life matters.
I am a mother and a grandmother times four. In retrospect, there are a lot of things I could have done differently in raising my children, but I did a lot right, too. I see my grown sons taking their families to church each Sunday and instilling Christian values in their children. It makes my heart happy. No parent is perfect, but if we acknowledge how our actions shape our children, we can be more deliberate and more faithful in our own Christian walk. It is important what we say and do. Our children are watching and listening. Home life matters.