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2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (N.K.J.V.)

Paul wrote 2 Timothy from prison. In the above passage, He encouraged Timothy with some of the most inspiring words to ever flow from the pen of a mentor. As followers of Christ, all of us have a responsibility to build one another up with love and hope. This is the purpose of this blog and quite specifically of today’s post.

I love when Paul tells Timothy that he is mindful of his tears. He is unashamed in his love for the young man he affectionately addresses as his beloved son. Paul tells him to stir up the gift of God inside of him. So, today, I want you to know I am praying for you. I may not know you by name, but God does. I need you to know I am mindful of your tears. I understand your brokenness, because just like you I have been broken too.

My brother was in the army. When serving, he always had a battle buddy: two people who learned to stick together and watch out for each other. You may not know me personally through a face-to-face relationship, but today I’m your spiritual battle buddy. I’m fighting for you with prayer.

I pray God uses each tear that falls from your eyes for good. I’m standing firm in faith that you will be restored in every area of your life. I pray you always use your gifts to glorify the Most High God Who breathed them directly into your soul. I pray you find true peace, which only comes from Him. I’m believing you will walk free of fear, that your joy will be full, and you experience love.

God bless you,

Jennifer