TWO MOTHERS WHO IMPACTED ETERNITY

“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.” So wrote the Apostle Paul in his last letter to Timothy before He (Paul) was martyred for his faith (2 Timothy 1:5, 2).

As we approach Mother’s Day this scripture in particular reminds me of my rich spiritual heritage for I, too, can attribute my faith to a Godly grandmother, Adeline Dosier, and her daughter and my mother, Jessie. As a young boy one of my fondest and most vivid memories of my grandmother was when she would come to stay at our home. During these times she would share a bedroom with me. I believe this was all God-ordained, for I would often still be awake when she turned in for the night, and without exception—even though it was very difficult because of a painful back condition—she would kneel beside her bed and begin interceding for her family. This woman of faith believed in a God who was ever faithful to hear and answer her prayers. She was certain that the One to whom she prayed loved her offspring even more than she. The result was that all of her children would eventually come to faith in Christ. Yet it wasn’t just her prayers that spoke of her deep and abiding faith. It was also evidenced in her words and actions. She was a gentle soul with a caring heart, clearly displayed as she wisely and lovingly raised seven children of her own and afterwards four grandchildren as well—each one able to testify of her sincere faith and sacrificial life.

Her youngest daughter, Jessie, would become my mother—a mother who followed in her mother’s footsteps by raising both my sister and me in the House of the Lord. From my youngest years I remember being in Sunday School week after week where we were taught about a loving and faithful God who sent His Son as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. This truth was implanted in my life and my sister’s life because of our mother’s unwavering commitment to raise her children in God’s House, even though my father was not fully on board.

My mother turned ninety-two this year and is still a part of our journey of faith—for just as her mother before her—she is faithfully praying for her son, her daughter, her four grandchildren and her six great grandchildren. Thanks be to God that not only did Timothy have a God-fearing grandmother and mother to which his faith could be traced back, but that I and my sister have also had the privilege of a God-fearing grandmother and mother to which we can also attribute our faith. This Mother’s Day I wish to honor not only my grandmother and my mother for their gift of faith which they passed down to their children, but I would also honor all those Mothers and Grandmothers who have likewise been that example to their families.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom…from an eternally grateful son!


John