I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. —2 Timothy 1:5 NLT
My great-great grandmother wrote a poem to my great-grandmother on her wedding day. Since then, each daughter in succession has been given that poem on her own precious wedding day. It has passed through six generations of women so far, as I gave the poem to each of my daughters on their days. The most significant part of the poem to me is found in these two stanzas:
For your guide throughout earth’s journey
Oh! Choose the book Divine;
And may the heavenly star of hope
Forever on you shine.
May the love of Christ the Saviour
Within your home abide
And may you ne’er regret the day
You first became a bride.
This. This is the legacy I’ve been given, that I’ve passed on to my daughters, and that I pray for my two precious granddaughters. My desire for these little girls, now ages four and one, is that they grow into women who “choose the book Divine”—the Bible—as their guide throughout their earthly journeys. There is no other book through which the living God actually speaks. Within its pages are all the instructions needed for life. Even better, within its pages God introduces Himself and whispers His love to us. How I want this for my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren just as my great-great grandmother wanted it for hers. My own Mum taught me to love the Word of God and for that I shall be forever grateful.
I love the prayer in the last stanza that Christ’s love will “abide within your home.” How I pray that my girls and their girls in turn welcome Christ into their homes each and every day, so that His love permeates and fills their homes with the special joy that comes from knowing His love. I was blessed to grow up in a home like that … knowing I was loved. I hope and pray all the generations that follow mine in our family line will grow up like that as well.
As we approach Mother’s Day, I have a thank you and a charge. Thank you, my dear Mum, for filling our home with your love, a reflection of Christ’s love within you. Thank you for treasuring this poem and countless other precious legacies that have kept me connected with those who came before me. Thank you for praying for me all the days of my life and for always being a safe place I can go when I’m sad or distressed.
For all who read this, let’s leave a legacy to those who come after us. Maybe you did not receive the blessing of a godly heritage. There’s no time like today to start one. Someone has to be the great-great grandmother who gets the ball rolling. Right? Oh, let’s share the poems, encourage the good, teach the truth, and point to Christ in all we do. Let’s think of the generations to come, whether we are the mother or the aunt or the Sunday School teacher or the close friend who loves her friend’s children like her own.
Timothy, mentioned in our verse above, may not have had a Christian father, but he sure had a Christian mother and grandmother, and their legacy of faith continued strong in him. We really can make a difference in another person’s life by living out our faith in front of them. Will we do it perfectly? Um. Absolutely No. My own dear mother would be the first to say that she was not a perfect mother. In fact, she often says it was the grace of God that kept her children close to Him, because she feels she failed so often. But she prayed. She read her Bible. She apologized when she needed to. And she loved us. And because of the great grace of God enabling her, she leaves us a priceless legacy.
Thanks, Mummy. Happy Mother’s Day!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and Your faithful, consistent, parenting love of Your children. You loved us even before we turned to You, while we were “yet sinners.” You enable us, by Your grace, to share Your love with others. Please, Lord. Help each of us to leave a legacy that encourages those who come after us to persevere in knowing and loving You. There is no finer legacy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
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