This Mother’s Day is extra special for Steph and I because she is pregnant with twins! Come September, the Stegeman household will change dramatically, but in a wonderful way as the size of our family will double. In our Sunday morning service today, I really emphasized 2 Timothy 1:5 where Paul says to Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure dwells in you as well.” Not every believer experiences the blessing of growing up in a Christian home, but I was privileged enough to have Christian parents. Even though God did not save me until later on in my high school years, the Christian influence of my parents sticks with me even to this day. Several years ago my mother told me that from the time I was a little boy, my parents had been praying that I would become a pastor. What joy that brought to my heart to know that God laid it on their hearts to pray that prayer for me. As I look back on my growing up years, it is obvious that a lot of people were praying for me, not just my parents. God has been very gracious with me and I am so thankful for the prayers of my mother. Today we remember the influence of our mothers in a special way – they are a gift from God to be cherished. What is especially precious is a mother who has a rock-solid “faith” in Jesus Christ and who lives to see that faith passed on to her children. In his third letter, the apostle John writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4) A godly mother will find her joy in Jesus and will delight to see her children follow suit. Happy Mother’s Day!