Thank You, Lois and Eunice
“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.”
Certain Biblical passages do not jump out at you on first reading but become profound after deeper consideration. 2 Timothy 1:5 is one of those verses that comes alive when you scratch below the surface. The verse affirms women in a way that must have made first-century men blush and women jump up and take notice.
Ensconced in an acutely patriarchal society, the Apostle Paul is knowingly celebrating two women. More surprisingly, the two women were a mother and a grandmother, not traditionally revered in their culture. Most shockingly, a man is being recognized for his values, ethics, and faith due not to Timothy’s father but due to the authority, example, and faithful wisdom of two women. Uff da!
Paul must have had deep respect for Lois and Eunice, because it would have been less shocking and more acceptable to ignore the women and celebrate Timothy’s father. You might argue that perhaps Timothy’s father wasn’t a person of faith and so would not have been acknowledged. Possibly, but then, skip the subject altogether. No, Paul intentionally lifted up these two women. Paul wanted the Christian world to celebrate the faith, leadership, and value of women.
Today, reflect on the women in your life who nurtured your faith and instilled loving and affirming values in your life. God can appear so omnipotent as to be non-relatable. In people like Lois and Eunice, our faith came alive and helped us feel God’s presence more intimately. Affirm the blessing of the women who strengthen your faith and give God thanks for the Lois’s and Eunice’s in your life. They are a gift from God to you, and it is right to celebrate their lives. If you have a few minutes, pull out a photo album and remember the generations before you, and prayerfully reflect on how they molded you into the person you are today.
