Mom, Your Sons Are Listening!

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

When parents talk, it can often seem like their children aren’t listening. Words of advice or warning or guidance or encouragement so often seem to go in one ear and out the other. Young men can especially seem to disregard what their mothers tell them. “What do you know, Mom? I’ve got this…”

Don’t let that fool you. Moms, your sons are listening!

Pastor Timothy in the Bible is a great example. Paul was thankful for Timothy’s “sincere faith” in Jesus. Where did that sincere faith come from? Well, faith always comes from hearing God’s Word (see Romans 10:17). Timothy didn’t choose to be a believer in Jesus. Nobody does. By nature, our sinful hearts are against God. The Holy Spirit graciously works faith in people’s hearts through God’s Word.

Here’s what stands out in Timothy’s life: Who was it who shared God’s Word with him? Two ladies: His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Their names even made it into the Bible! While we’re not told anything about Timothy’s father in the Bible, his mother and grandmother taught him God’s truth.

It probably wasn’t easy. When Timothy was a toddler, it probably seemed like he wasn’t listening at all when his grandmother held him on her lap and said her prayers. When Timothy was a young man, it probably seemed like it wasn’t doing any good when his mother shared Bible verses with him. There were probably many occasions when it seemed like Lois and Eunice’s words went in one ear and out the other.

Yet, whether he showed it or not, was Timothy listening to his mom? Yes! Did his grandmother’s encouragement matter? Absolutely. Can you imagine Lois and Eunice’s joy when that little toddler who seemed like he wasn’t listening matured into a Christian leader with sincere faith in Jesus?

The Bible doesn’t promise that it will work out that way with every child, but the Bible does promise that God’s Word works. The Bible promises that parents have an influence on their children. The Bible promises that its simple message about Jesus can change hearts and lives for eternity.

So, Moms, never give up. Even when it seems useless, know that your sons are listening.

Dear heavenly Father, there are days when our children don’t seem to listen at all to our advice and encouragement. Don’t let us ever give up on them. Use our words to plant your Word in our children’s hearts. Amen.

Pastor Nathan