A Heritage of Faith
My grandmother Claudine Hindmand passed away a few months back. She was 101 years old and had lived a long and fruitful life. What I value the most about my grandmother’s life was the spiritual legacy and influence she left within the family.
Grandma became a widow at the age of 24 when her husband Wayne passed away from a blood clot, leaving her with three young kids aged 5 and under to raise. She did not remarry, but instead, went back to school and got a master’s degree in Education. She then went on to serve as the Dean of Women at St. Paul Bible College for a number of years. She raised her three children in the faith. Her son Larry grew up and served as a pastor his entire life in the Nazarene Church. Her daughter Lynda grew up to marry a pastor. And her daughter Waynetta [my mother] grew up to have a pastor for a son. You see a bit of a theme in Grandma’s life!
Of the two churches I have served in; one in Sioux Falls and the other in Sully – I have run into people in our congregation that knew my grandmother from her Saint Paul years. She was a godly woman and had a wide reach in her love for Jesus.
The Apostle Paul once pointed to the value of growing up with people of faith in your family when he said these words to young Timothy.
II Timothy 1:5 – ‘For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.’
Paul also pointed to the spiritual legacy that was given to Timothy from his Christian upbringing.
II Tim. 3:15 – ‘and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.’
We should praise God for and appreciate any godly influences we have had in our homes and childhood upbringing. Such blessings are priceless and treasures beyond compare.
What kind of lasting legacy will we leave to our children? What will they remember about your love for the Savior and the gospel? Now is the time to build that godly heritage!