Promises From God's Word For a Parental Legacy

 

by Barbara Latta

The Faithfulness of God series.

As mothers we have the capacity to criticize ourselves for not being the perfect parent. Our minds can accuse us better than, satan, the enemy of our souls.

But none of us are perfect, and God knows that. We can hold on to promises from God’s Word to leave a parental legacy as the mother and grandmother of Timothy did.

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also (2 Timothy 1:3-5 NKJV).

Timothy was the pastor of the church in Ephesus. He was mentored by Paul, but before Paul got him, Timothy was taught and influenced by his mother Lois. And Lois’ mother was Eunice who had taught the Word of God to her daughter.

This third-generation fruit showed up in Timothy. Timothy’s father was a Greek (Acts 16:1). He is not mentioned by name, but we are told who his mother and grandmother were and of their influence in rearing Timothy to know Christ.

Despite the Hellenistic views of the Greek father, the teachings of the mother and grandmother dominated Timothy’s belief.

We should never underestimate the influence we have as parents. 

We may think the small things we do that our children hear and see don’t make a difference, but little minds and ears pick up conversations and actions. 

And while we should be careful of what we allow to come out of our mouths, we can also know that each positive seed we sow will sprout in the garden of a child’s life.

While we may read about Lois and Eunice and think we didn’t do as good a job as they did, God also gives us examples in His Word of people who failed. 

Sarah took matters into her own hands and ended up with a rival for Isaac, and Rebekah encouraged deceit into Jacob’s life. 

Yet God’s assurances for their children still came to pass.

We can count our blessings and focus on the positive traits of our children instead of remembering mistakes we may have made.

 Even when we have not been faithful in every task, God is always faithful to fulfill His Word. As we stand on His Word His commitment to our children can come to pass too.

The following scriptures can give us encouragement for God’s faithfulness in our children’s lives. 

And even though these verses refer to Israel, they are ours because when we are Christ’s we are Abraham’s seed and joint heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locusts, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied (Joel 2:25 NKJV).

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; they will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses. One will say, “I am the Lord’s;” another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write with his hand, “The Lord’s” and name himself by the name of Israel (Isaiah 44:3-5).

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children (Isaiah 54:13).

And those who are not parents can also be an influence on children. Whether nieces, nephews, students, friends, or members of a Sunday School class, a Titus 2 woman can leave a parental legacy to all the youth around her.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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We can count our blessings and focus on the positive traits of our children instead of remembering mistakes we may have made (click to tweet)

Promises from God's Word for a parental legacy (click to tweet)