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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