I Blame It on My Mother

​by Evelyn Klingler

“...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 Tim. 1:5) 

She comes from a tall family. Her brother and sister are tall, and her father was too. She…well,  that’s another story. When people ask about her shorter stature, she usually teases and says with a warm smile, “I blame it on my mother!” Her mother isn’t short, but the hypothesis is that as a young, skinny, hungry, single woman, she struggled to keep both herself and her baby alive. ​

Her family suggested she end the baby’s life immediately, but a deep-seated love had already taken hold of her for the small being she felt inside. She took a harder path than the one that convenience offered her–motherhood. 

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As we celebrate Mother's Day in May, there are so many things for which we can thank our moms: life, care, affection, childhood memories, instruction, provision, siblings, and in the case of a really good mom, faith! Mothers who give their children faith are doing more than just sparing their children physically; they are setting them up eternally. A faith-filled mom is like a precious water jug that quenches the internal thirst with which every human being is born–a need for God.  

She cares for her children with the understanding that little saplings can become strong trees planted in God’s house (Ps. 1:3). She pursues God daily, giving her family the advantage of a deep, well-watered prayer life (Prov. 31:30). She instills God’s Word into the fabric of her own being and teaches it intentionally (Prov. 1:8; 6:20-26). She frames her actions and goals around the godly character that defines her as “more precious than rubies” (Prov. 31:10). She speaks warmly, wisely, and even strictly when necessary to give her children an “apple a day” through her Spirit-led golden-tongued words fitly spoken (Prov. 25:11). 

In a time where parents are pressured to cater to children or to self, an authentic, Spirit-filled, prayerful woman is a greater gift to her family than she realizes. Her genuine love for God and others in and out of her home speaks louder than the current song, or popular podcast, or sport her children are “into.” 

The SOMO Network is blessed with the resounding legacy of Spirit-filled mothers on whom to blame a tall faith. Many in our network are products of the strong lives for Christ their mothers lived. Strong mothers filled with unwavering faith are the precious stones that new generations can stand upon. Keep going, mom; you are doing a wonderful job, and God sees you!  

Remember, the genuine faith of Lois and Eunice (a mother and grandmother) impacted the course of Christianity. So will you! Happy Mother’s Month! 

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Evelyn Klingler loves God passionately and has been in full-time ministry for over 35 years, serving most of that time as a missionary in Latin America, church planter, lead pastor, and staff pastor. She is the current Assistant Director at the AG World Prayer Center and will soon return to work at the National AG Women’s Office. After serving over 20 years as missionaries in Latin America, Evelyn & her husband, Sam, church-planted and pastored in Reading, PA. She and her great husband have been married for 37 years.

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