Witnessing faith firsthand
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.”
–2 Timothy 1:5 (NRSV)
One of the greatest gifts that I was ever given was the opportunity to grow up in a believing household. It was through my parents and my grandparents that I was able to learn what it meant to be a part of God’s kingdom. I am thankful for the fact that I am part of a chain of believers that goes back for centuries. It was there that I first saw what faith can look like. It was from my predecessors that I was able to understand the world in a way that made room for transcendence and grace.
Grace is such a precious commodity in the world. Despite its rarity, it is something healthy relationships depend on. It is something that we must try to give to others each and every day. Everyday we need to pray once more for the strength to share that grace with the world and for the ability to see others through the eyes of God’s kingdom. This is why people like Timothy have a head start on others. Having experienced it firsthand through the example of their own family, they are better equipped to offer it to others.
