Our Spiritual Parents

 

II Timothy 1:1-14

 

     Last Friday was my late niece's birthday.  She would have been 47.  My sister, Judy, her husband, George, and my mother went to the cemetery.  They also visited my Dad's grave which is just up the hill from Chris.  They took flowers and placed them in from of the gravestones.  I have no idea what was said but there is no doubt that for them it was a day of remembering, remembering two people who had been important in their lives.

 

      In the beginning of II Timothy Paul writes about remembering.  He remembered Timothy, he remembered him in his prayers, he remembered his tears, tears that were shed at Miletus when Paul was departing and they wept and embraced because they didn't think they would see each other again, and Paul remembered Timothy's faith.      

 

       Paul wrote to Timothy as a pastor to another pastor.  He was encouraging Timothy in his work.  Timothy was a third generation Christian.  His grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, were people of faith.  Paul encourages Timothy by recalling the faith of Timothy's grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice.  I have always felt a kinship with Timothy here as my grandmother, Mary, had a large role to play in my spiritual growth.  She was like my spiritual mother.  She was always upbeat and positive.  She was always interested in what was going on in my life.  Whenever she sent me a letter she would include a scripture verse at the end with a quote,  something like "Prayer brings power" or "Dream Big" or "Without Christ our lives have little or no meaning."  We all need people like that in our lives, people who encourage us and show us a better way. 

 

        I think Timothy might refer to Paul as his spiritual father.  His spiritual father was calling upon him to rekindle his faith.  The image is one of a camp fire that was going all night but by morning was about about to go out and needed to be fanned into a fresh flame.  We need people like that in our lives to help us keep fanning the flames of faith.

 

        We all have a mother and a father, our natural parents.  While some natural parents are also spiritual parents, that is not always the case.  Some people have natural parents and spiritual parents, people who have impacted their faith journey.  Some are not so fortunate.  Some have no spiritual parents at all.  I also think it is true that in some situations it is easier for someone outside of the home to be the spiritual parent. 

 

       What we need to keep in mind is that we all have the opportunity to be spiritual parents or mentors.  And it doesn't always have to be at the church.  Yesterday I got out three letters that I received after coaching girls basketball at the high school in Rockbridge County, Virginia.  They are among my most prized possessions.  One of the girls wrote "I want to thank you for what you did to better my life.  When I came to the gym for the first day of practice, I didn't know a thing about basketball but you taught me so much.  You taught me to have sportsmanship and to hustle no matter how far behind the team was.  You also taught me to play as a team-to pass the ball off to get a better shot.  I still try to keep the morals that you taught me in my mind and heart.  Your family means a lot to me.  They came to watch us play and kept our spirits up.  You made us feel like we were the best team even when we were the worst.  Thank you for touching my life and making it better." 

 

     Another one wrote "Over the last few years, as a coach and as a friend, you have made a lasting difference in my life.  As a coach and friend, you taught me that anything can be accomplished if you really try at it.   Whether it be basketball or school I took your wisdom into consideration and I found I really could accomplish my goals. As a coach, whether we won or lost, you gave us confidence and taught us to be better players and people"

 

      "We went through thrilling basketball games and we went through devastating basketball games.  We laughed together and were sad together.  No matter what, you always knew how to make me feel better.  I will never forget the day my uncle Jim passed away and you took me to "Sweet Things."  Some of the things you said I will  never forget.  You gave me the confidence that I didn't have before I met you not only in basketball but in everything else I do including school.  I am going to make the honor roll this year."

 

      What is especially gratifying about the last one is that later on she became active in the church and is now an Elder.   She took part in my installation here four years ago.

 

       There are some very special things taking place at this church.  Opportunities are presenting themselves for us to positive role models.  It is possible that years from now there is going to be someone talking about you and saying I don't know where I would have been if it had not been for Ann or Jo or Charlie or Pete or Susan or Ted.  It is because of their influence that I am part of the church of Jesus Christ. 

 

         You could not be given a high compliment than that!!!