Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God - whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did - when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 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 1:1-5

We all have roles in life. Timothy was the young man the apostle Paul considered his spiritual son and a valuable partner in ministry. God used two generations of loving mothers to prepare Timothy for the crucial work he would have in spreading the gospel and establishing congregations of believers in Christ.

Praise the LORD for mothers who not only care for their children physically but also nurture them spiritually. Mothers like that are indispensable!

No man is poor who had a godly mother.

Our Daily Bread - May 9, 2004