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Listen while you read: "Give Thanks To God"1
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2 Timothy 1:5 – I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. (NLT)
"Don't you remember?" He didn't.
Two years had passed since my son and his family had visited our home. His anger over something that he thought we'd done, but hadn't, boiled. He took his anger out on us by not talking to us or coming to see us. It wasn't the first time, so, even though the strained relationship lay heavily on us, we had hoed this row before. We attempted to mend the hurt, prayed for him, and bided our time.
Finally, the ice melted. After seeing him and his family at a few other family functions, we asked him and our daughter-in-law over for Sunday lunch. We were giving them our bedroom suite, and, since they had to come and get it, we thought that this would be a time to further mend fences.
After lunch, we lounged in the living room and told stories. They told us of things that they had done with their boys — things that we had not heard about. I thought, Why not tell him things that he and I had done when he was younger?
So, I told a story and then asked, "Don't you remember?" He didn't. I told another story, asked the same question, and got the same answer. Our daughter-in-law rolled with laughter over stories that she'd never heard. Our son laughed, too, at the stories and over the fact that he couldn't remember the incidents.
When I had finished five or six camping and hiking stories, I remarked, "You know, I didn't remember you going with me, your sister, and your uncle that often, but I guess you went more than I imagined."
After several more stories, he admitted that he remembered only small pieces of some of the stories. Of some, he remembered nothing at all, even after I had told them.
It's amazing what telling stories can do. Doing so can bring families back together and heal hard feelings. It can also relieve stress and help members remember that, yes, we did spend time together after all.
When our son and daughter-in-law were leaving, we hugged and expressed our love for each other. We hoped that it would begin a new era in our relationship, one where past hurts — imagined or real — would slip further into the recesses of our minds and good memories would fill them instead.
According to Paul, Timothy had something to remember: the faith that his grandmother had passed to his mother, and the faith that she, in turn, had delivered to him. Now, he lived out his faith in such a way that Paul and others recognized it.
I remember when my father told me of his faith and offered the same faith to me. I recall when I did the same for my two children. I hope that they, too, will pass along the offer to their children. Then, later in life when they ask, "Remember when …" their children will say, "Yes."
What are some stories that you can share with your loved ones?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the stories of faith that You give us to share. Amen.
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About the author:
Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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Very uplifting, Martin. I agree that we should share our stories with our children and grandchildren.
Thank you, Martin, for being such a good example to your family and to all who read PresbyCan today.
Thanks for sharing your story, Martin. Life can be hard sometimes can’t it. I pray that you and your son and family continue to heal your relationship with each other. Blessings.
Thanks, Martin, for another of your very mindful devotionals and I will be praying that your son will continue being on good terms with you now. It is a sad situation when there is estrangement between family members. Blessings for these expressive writings you prepare.
Thanks Martin, for sharing this devotional, it is good to share happy times spent with family and friends and remember times our parents took us with them to church every Sunday and always took us to Sunday School, where great Bible stories were told. Blessings.
I love the passage you cited, about Timothy. I used it one time that some of us were taught from our youth on, and thus consider ourselves believers, as Paul suggested, I think. I was told this is not so, you have to be born again. Any thought on this Martin?
Good to see that things are better in your family.
Dear Martin,
Wow – so I am not alone!
I thought you were relating my story. My son doesn’t remember the good times that we had together either. What’s wrong with these young people today?
Thanks for sharing your story.
Really good writing.
My daughter gave me a gift called “Storyworth”. I receive a question a week to answer online. At year end, I’ll receive a book of my answers with any pictures I care to send as well.
Memories of white patten shoes and frilly socks came flooding back when I recalled walking to church with my mum on Easter.
Story telling. Might be my next service theme.
Thanks. Enjoy autumn.
(Manitoba)
Good Morning Martin: I can relate well to your devotional this morning. My youngest daugther stopped speaking to me for several months, and it hurt deep, as through every trial she faced I have been there to support her. However she decided to blame me for a falling out with one of her children. (I am not guilty of this) and told her and also told I forgive and still love her.
Alas after about 8 or 9 months when I am having a health crisis she phoned at the prompting of another person. However I did not feel the same warmth in conversations as we used to have, so I get the feeling I am still considered the guilty party, but I am letting go of it, because to do otherwise will only make me feel worse and I do not need that as I turn to 90 soon.
I am praying that a little time will heal the wounds and pray that she and her daughter can reconcile. I know the reason, but it is up to her daughter to tell her that not me.
Thank you for letting us know that we are not alone in our family squabbles, neither were Cain and Abel were they?
Blessings to you this day.
Thank you for sharing this personal story. It will resonate with many families.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Can I ever relate! The older I get the less reliable my memory is! Blessings.