Saturday Sisters: Lois

From the occasional series ~~~

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.

Acts 16:1

Lois's story is told in only two verses, yet it is one with which many of us can identify. We know her in her roles as mother and grandmother.

How many of us tend to see ourselves in terms of those hearts walking around outside our bodies, also known as our children?

It takes a few seconds to read either of these verses, and realize that Lois was a woman of great faith, who passed on her faith to her child and grandchild. Could Lois have possibly known when Eunice married a Greek man, worshipper of Zeus and Mercury, that her grandchild would leave such a testimony? Even if she did realize the possibility, she would have understood that Eunice's role in raising this child would be harder than if she had married within her own faith.

And no doubt Lois was right there, faithfully praying and helping. Perhaps, as we women do, she was getting underfoot a bit in the younger family's household.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11NASB

Lois was a believer, but it must have broken her heart when her daughter married an unbeliever. Yet her grandson is remembered for his Christian faith, "which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. . . " II Timothy 1:5