When I was reorganizing my office the other day, I stumbled across the book my grandmother gave me for my 19th birthday. It is a book on the gospel of John that she had purchased as a young woman. This is just one example of the ways she tried to pass her faith on to her family. And although my grandmother’s name was Doris, not Lois, I automatically think of her when I come across this passage from 2 Timothy 1:5; “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.”
I saw my grandparents almost every day from the time I was 6 weeks old until I moved from Colorado to attend seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. They had a pretty big influence on my life and were models for me on what life as a person of faith can look like. Today, I want to share with you a few of my memories regarding my grandparents and faith.
I am convinced that had my grandmother been born in a different era, that she would have probably attend seminary to study theology. She read her bible almost every day. It was a common sight for me as a teenager to find her sitting in her chair and reading her bible. When her eyesight started to fail, it became more difficult for her to continue in her practice of daily devotions. So my family searched far and wide to find a large print bible that would work for her. On my visits home from seminary, she would ask me questions about the bible. Which, I always found strange, because I am convinced she knew more about the bible than I did. My grandparents also recited the Lord Prayer together every night before going to bed. My grandfather continued this practice after my grandmother died.
I believe that Faith primarily is a relationship with God and I find it fitting that God uses relationships with others to help us to know God better. And these powerful memories are just one small part of that relationship. These memories, along my own experiences and the witness from scripture, influence what I believe about God. Maybe you also have memories like these, about the faith of your own parents and grandparents. Or perhaps, you wish to pass your faith on to your children and grandchildren. Regardless, our faith continues to grow, and who knows what piece of your story and God’s story will be remembered.
Mary Wiggins serves as pastor of the Peace Lutheran Parish.
