I’ll never forget the faith of my Grandma Herrmann. She was an incredibly godly woman who made her relationship with the Lord the biggest priority in her life. When we went to visit her it usually involved attending her church for Vacation Bible School or for Sunday morning worship. She wasn’t a Sunday Christian by any means: she knew Jesus as one knows a close friend, and her relationship with Him permeated everything she did. On one occasion my brothers and I were on a walk with her, and an angry dog came running up the street at us with teeth bared. My Grandma simply said, “Stop, in the name of the Lord!” Right there on the sidewalk the dog ceased and desisted. It was incredible. Even as she aged and developed Alzheimer’s, my Grandma still had a friend in Jesus, and though she couldn’t carry on a conversation, she was capable of praying before meals. One of my favorite possessions now is an NIV Study Bible that belonged to her. Inside its pages are her highlights and comments as God’s Word illuminated her life. Her faith didn’t just belong to her; it was passed down to my mom and her siblings, and my mom passed it on her children. In Paul’s opening words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:5, he reminds the young pastor of the faith that dwelt first in his grandmother, Lois, and then in his mother, Eunice. Timothy’s faith was passed down to him from prior generations because they believed in the importance of instilling their faith in their children. If you are a parent, your most important work is passing your faith on to your children. The process of doing so is two-fold: first your faith must guide and direct your life, and then as your children observe your faith guiding and directing your life, you must instill it in their hearts. As a parent, you can give yourself over to no greater call and responsibility. I am so thankful now for the faith of my Grandma and of my Mom. I am thankful that their faith directed (and continues to direct) their lives, and I’m thankful that they valued instilling in my heart.
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