2nd Timothy is especially touching to me.  It is because it’s written as Paul lives under the shadow of his impending demise.  You see, Paul knew, shackled in Roman chains, that his end was near.  In those precious moments prior to his crucifixion, Paul writes to his junior brother in Christ, Timothy.  It’s clear that, in this letter, Paul hopes to convince Timothy to continue fighting the good fight and keeping the faith.  Knowing it’s likely to be the last one sent, Paul breaks out all the fireworks required to give his letter maximum impact. 

Often lost in our reading of the Bible is just what an amazingly persuasive writer Paul, by means of the Holy Spirit, was.  And here, in this one, as he aims to keep Timothy on the right track until they two gather again in the Coming Kingdom, he uses some great strategy, right in the opening.  Listen and hear if you can understand what I’m talking about.

“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.  As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.  For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.  Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Like I said, Paul was bringing out all his best ammo to make an impact so, right at the very beginning, do you see what he did there?  He points Timothy back to his mother and his grandmother’s faith.

Now, like most of us who’ve been blessed with really good mothers, this is a fine place to start, isn’t it?  I mean, after all, if someone really wants to motivate you, sometimes they’ll say things like “C’mon, make your mama proud” or, when rebuking you, someone might say “Did your Mom really raise you like that?”

Invoking our mothers is weighty stuff because, as many of us know, our Mother’s represent for us our earliest exposure to provision, protection and forgiveness and the best Mothers do so all in a humble and self-sacrificing manner. 

In a whole lot of ways, the love of God in Christ becomes more understandable as we witness the love of our Mothers. 

Now that isn’t to make the claim that God can be reduced entirely to the roles and functions of a mother.  Nor are mothers perfect, although our own may be close to it.  At the same time, I think you’ll agree that in some regards, the love of God is more comprehendible in light of good mothering. 

The significance of having a good mother came into sharp relief as the women of the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly listened to the story of Amanda Godoy de Santos from their sister church in Palin, Guatemala.  She shared with the women at their spring meeting that she had an indifferent mother.  Her eyes welled up with tears as she told us that.  She said that had it not been for the love of Christ offered by her church, she didn’t think she’d ever have been able to live as contented a life as she has.

And so, I do recognize that not every one of us has had a good mother.  But, the words of Scripture assure us, we ALL have a good and wonderful God.  This morning I’m going to talk about that great God by using mothers as a window into His divine and Holy goodness.        

To begin with – Mothers are comforting.

From the very first moments of life when little babies are thrust upon their mothers to the scurrying of mom’s feet carrying band-aids, Bactrim and Neosporin the moment we skinned our knees, we human beings just find natural comfort in our mother’s arms.