A Mother’s Influence - Encouragement for Today - October 26, 2026
Encouragement for Today
Audio By Carbonatix
Crosswalk.com
October 26, 2026
A Mother’s Influence
Stacy Reaoch
Co-author of The Word in Our Home
“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” (2 Timothy 1:5, ESV).
As I cleaned cookie crumbs off the floor for what seemed like the 14th time, I shouted aloud in exasperation, “Can’t anyone clean up after themselves?!” My elementary-age son looked at me with hurt in his eyes as he joined me in my efforts. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to,” he said. Feeling ashamed of my outburst, I asked for his forgiveness.
When I feel like I’ve blown it, I question my ability to disciple my children and pass on my faith to the next generation. Do I really have what it takes? Have my mistakes and deficiencies in parenting diminished my ability to share my faith with my children?
Patience has been a slow-growing fruit in my life. But as I’ve raised my four children, I’ve been encouraged by what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
“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” (2 Timothy 1:5).
Did Timothy’s mother and grandmother have answers to all his questions? Were they perfect examples in everything? I highly doubt it. Yet what they did have was a sincere faith, an authentic trust in the Lord that Timothy witnessed in their words and actions.
As moms, we can be encouraged by these female role models to let the sincere faith in our hearts be the basis of discipling our kids in the Lord. We don’t need a seminary degree or a perfect record of parenting to teach our children. We just need a heart that desires to please the Lord and a willingness to imperfectly instruct our kids in God’s ways.
My husband and I have tried to make a habit of opening the Bible with our kids after dinner. These family devotions morphed as our kids grew — from reading their colorful children’s Bible to acting out their favorite stories in Scripture with antsy bodies that couldn’t sit still. When our kids became teenagers, they often brought their own questions and comments to family devotions. Do we always have the right answers? Absolutely not. But we have a faith that points our kids to the One who truly knows all things.
Whether our kids see us reading our Bible or making a meal for a neighbor, we’re modeling for them what everyday, sincere faith looks like. When we pray for their math test or apologize for losing our cool, we’re showing them what it means to humbly depend on God.
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed or ill-equipped to lead our children spiritually. Yet it’s also an opportunity to depend on God and His Holy Spirit to guide our conversations with our kids. Our job as moms isn’t to be a perfect example but to be faithful to teach our children the ways of the Lord and to trust Him with the results.
Lord, help me to be faithful to teach my children Your ways. Give me wisdom to speak the truth in love and to practically model living a life of sincere faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Looking for a practical way to help your children know and love God's Word? Stacy's new book, The Word in Our Home: A Family Plan for Exploring Every Book of the Bible, makes family discipleship simple with guided discussions, prayer prompts, and Scripture-based lessons that help parents confidently pass biblical Truth to the next generation in just 10-15 minutes a day.
ENGAGE
You can find more of Stacy’s writing on her website. You can also connect with her on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
2 Timothy 3:14-15, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (ESV).
What is one way you can practically share your faith with your children today? Share with us in the comments!
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
