Recipe for Faith
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 (NIV)
My recipe box contains a yellowed recipe card with faded ink. Every time I come across it, memories rush back at the sight of my grandmother’s familiar handwriting. She had lovingly prepared this very dish for many family feasts. As she got older, there were lots of grandchildren and even great-children to help with the cooking, but she always insisted on contributing. Today, years after her death, my grandmother’s recipes are still found at family gatherings.
Her love of cooking was not the only thing my grandmother shared with her family. She was quick to tell us what God was teaching her and she strongly encouraged each of us in our own faith. She often wrote us notes or sent us timely devotionals. And she always prayed. My grandmother actively passed her faith to the next generation. Her faith is a part of mine.
I reflected on this legacy of faith this weekend. My parents, our three grown children, and two son-in-laws all visited to celebrate my birthday. Although the way has not always been smooth, our three children love the Lord and our two daughters have married godly young men. Now our oldest daughter and her husband our expecting our first grandbaby! I can hardly wait to continue to pass along the legacy of faith that began with my grandmother.
Like Timothy’s mother and grandmother, I must pass along the precious gift of faith entrusted to me by my parents and grandmother. I must guard it, nurture it, and share it with my children and grandchildren. I cannot be too diligent. I cannot spend too much time in prayer. I cannot talk too much about what a great and awesome God we serve.
Who in your life passed along a legacy of faith? Who in your life needs to receive a faith legacy? What can you do to pass it along?
Love this post, thanks for sharing about your grandmother. My grandmothers and my mom all passed on their legacy of faith to our family. They were godly women who loved God and it showed in everything they did.
Thanks Bernadine, I am praying the Lord will give me wisdom as I share my faith with my children and grandchildren!
Such a precious post.
There were several people involved passing along their faith; my great-grandmother, my dad, my uncle…I am glad that all of them gave me a foundation so that I later in life got to know God.
I hope to pass along my faith not only to my son, but others that God places in my life.