New tune: Faith of Our Mothers

"An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy."

This saying is an old Spanish proverb, recently confirmed by science, according to National and International Religion Report, 4.

An extensive study of faith development in America uncovered the truth: Of those surveyed, the who or what that had the most positive influence on people's religious faith, regardless of age group, sex or denomination, was "my mother."

Paul, one of the writers of the New Testament, knew the power of a godly mother. He writes to his young protege, Timothy, and says, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother, Lois, and in your mother, Eunice, and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also," II Timothy 1:5.

A long line of godly mothers helped yield one of the great preachers of New Testament times, Timothy. Godly mothers impart godly faith.

Many churches still sing the great hymn, "Faith of Our Fathers."

Here, for your singing pleasure, is a song written to that tune by the Rev. Leonard, in roughly 1980.

Faith of Our Mothers

Faith of our mothers, those who lean

On God in heav'n for all their needs,

Teaching that faith in Christ is seen

In loving words, but most in deeds.

O faithful God, we give thee praise

For mothers' faith through all our days.

Love of our mothers, those who see

As sacred trust each child they bear,

Who glimpse in us what we could be,

And show us by their love, they care.

O faithful God, we give thee praise

For mothers' love through all our days.

God of our mothers, living still

In spite of all that doubt can do,

Help us to want thy perfect will

As godly mothers taught us to.

God of our mothers, thee we praise

For gifts of grace through all our days.

My sincerest thanks to my mother and all mothers who pray, often with tears.

Thanks to mothers who struggle with squirmy, weepy, fidgety kids on any given Sunday morning. It may have been years since you were able to concentrate on even one entire song in worship, but God will honor your commitment and bless your children.

Thanks to mothers who take time to calmly answer questions about God from their 3-year-olds that would send Masters of Divinity into cold chills.

Thanks to mothers who plant the seeds of faith that will reap a harvest, no matter how far away the future may look.

Thanks to mothers who believe. Through you, God encourages and grows his church.

Truly, an ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.

Rick Cupp is a minister at Kenai Fellowship, Mile 8.5 of the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai. Sunday services include Bible classes for all ages at 10 a.m.; worship at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday Bible classes for all ages and worship services are at 7 p.m. Summer schedule starts June 5 with Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. with children's church.