My mother was very intentional in seeing that I got to know and spend time with family — my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, and my cousins. We spent time hanging out with them. Often, she told me stories about their shared experiences in life. She made sure I had conversations with them so I got to know them personally. Family was important to her and she wanted to pass that on to me.
Mother always loved taking us to the town where she grew up. She loved to point out key places, which would always remind her of people and stories that impacted her life. In much the same way, she taught me about God, day by day, in normal activities and events of life. As we visited places and people, she shared stories of God. Who He is and what He had done and was doing in her life and mine.
“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 NLT19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Deuteronomy 11:19 NLT
I have fond memories of the house I grew up in. On the front of our little house was a porch. It wasn’t very large, but big enough for a two-seat glider, and the steps made good seats on a warm night. We sat out there a lot in the summer, after dark, looking at the stars and listening to all the summer sounds and somewhere in our conversations out there, Mother would talk about God. Reminding us that He made this world and everything in it that we enjoy.
My mother was innovative and tenacious. Most of the time she could fix whatever needed fixing, but some things were beyond her power.
I had some frightening episodes that landed me in the hospital when I was just a child. As I went through a lot of testing, most of the time Mother was in the room with me, but some of the time, she was required to stay outside. In cold, sterile rooms with large equipment and strangers in charge, my comfort was knowing God was still in the room and He had power to take care of me. I could cling to that — and still do — because Mother had already instilled that into my mind and heart. God is always with you. He never leaves no matter what.
Like every normal child, I found my way into mischief from time to time and also like most children I know, I did my best to avoid being found out. Mother always seemed to have some kind of inside knowledge when I was into trouble and she always reminded me that God knows and sees everything, so even if I did manage to deceive her, God would know.
She explained to me that God had made it her responsibility to teach me right from wrong, so when she held me accountable for my actions, she was actually obeying God. That also taught me that if my mom is required to obey God, I must obey him as well. In fact, she would point out that whatever the infraction, this wasn’t just between me and Mother, this was between me and God.
Mother was also very intentional in discipline. Any action requiring punishment also required conversation. It’s always a good idea for parents to take time to think carefully before discipline, but Mother took that a step further, she required me to sit and think about what I’d done and why I needed discipline and I was required to discuss this with her, to make sure it was clear. Then after the appropriate discipline was administered, there was another conversation and that was about forgiveness. I never worried that she would bring that episode up again. It was forgiven.
What a picture of God’s forgiveness. He makes it clear that we are sinners by explaining the standard of perfection a just God requires. Then, He sent His Son to to take our punishment by paying for our sins on the cross. Once we talk to Him, repenting of our sins and accepting Him as our personal Savior, we are forgiven — for eternity.