Dear Oluchi,
I have often wondered why we are here on earth, and I believe this is a question many people reflect on. However, as Christians, we are given answers through the Scriptures. One that especially comes to mind is that we are called to “show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Do you know why you are here on this earth?
Before I go further into the reason for writing to you, I first wanted to sincerely check on you, this time, not as a routine gesture, but from a genuine place of care. I truly hope you are doing well and spending time with your Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Recently, I came to a deeper understanding of the Scripture that says eternal life is to know God, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. It made me realize that eternal life is not merely something we await in the future, but a relationship with God that begins even now. Because of this, I truly hope you are enjoying that life here on earth through fellowship with Him.
I understand that this may be a difficult concept to grasp at first fully, but I have come to see that a relationship with God that will last forever must begin in the present. Therefore, if you are not already doing so, I would gently encourage you to seek God in every moment and allow Him to become the center of your life and daily walk.
Returning to my initial question, I hope you have not been lost in the train of your thoughts, because I am about to take you along another trail entirely.
The other day, I decided to go out for a walk. Now, if you know me well enough, you would understand that when I say “going for a walk,” it often means spending half of the time sitting down and the other half actually walking. However, if anyone should ask, I trust that you will kindly keep this information to yourself. Thank you very much.
So, as I continued partaking in the rather solemn activity of sitting down, I noticed an inscription engraved on the chair. It had been dedicated to a couple in honor of their service and contribution to the community.
At that moment, a thought quietly settled in my heart: What will I be remembered for?
To be completely honest, I do not believe I have made any grand contribution worthy of causing a stranger to pause long enough to write a letter about me. Yet, I have come to realize that some of the people worth writing about were not necessarily those who did extraordinary things in the eyes of the world. Their lives may have seemed small or ordinary, yet they carried a quiet significance that left an enduring mark on others.
Today, I would like to tell you about a few of such people, in the hope that their lives might encourage you as they have encouraged me. Have you ever come across Eunice and Lois? You see, these beautiful women were mentioned by name in the Bible; together, they were mentioned once (2 Timothy 1:51), alluded to again in 2 Timothy 3:14-152, and Eunice was mentioned again in the book of Acts ( Acts 16:13).
Their background in Scripture is both detailed and remarkably brief. Eunice is introduced to us simply as the mother of Timothy, the wife of an unnamed Greek man, and the daughter of Lois. We are not told that she performed any grand or widely celebrated acts, such as making garments for widows, gathering believers to pray for Peter’s release, or opening her home to the disciples. These are indeed beautiful and notable acts, so please do not misunderstand me, but they are also very visible expressions of service.
Yet, when Apostle Paul spoke of Lois and Eunice, he did not first commend outward works. Instead, he spoke of their sincere faith, a faith passed down from grandmother to mother, and from mother to son. One cannot help but wonder how a Jewish woman, married to a Greek man, still managed to raise a son in the way of the Lord who would follow Paul so closely and labor alongside him in the work of the Gospel at such a young age.
Though Scripture does not describe the details for us, I am convinced that there must have been a quiet and consistent role of faithfulness being played behind the scenes, a faithfulness that ensured the knowledge of God would be passed down. Timothy’s sincere faith must have affected Apostle Paul so deeply that he felt compelled to commend both his mother and grandmother for it. What may have appeared insignificant to ordinary eyes became part of the foundation that eventually gave rise to some of the letters we now hold in Scripture. Paul recognized Timothy as someone trustworthy enough to entrust with the teachings of the Gospel and the strengthening of the Church.
So you see, Oluchi, the quiet roles we play are not insignificant in the grand scheme of God’s purpose. Whether it is washing dishes, wiping a child’s nose, helping an elderly neighbor walk safely, offering a smile to a stranger, or simply carrying a sincere faith that can be passed from one generation to another, these things matter more than we often realize.
Not every act of faithfulness will be engraved upon earthly monuments that will one day fade away, but it can be etched down on the pages of the heart that are impacted.
I truly hope this letter brings you comfort—that what may seem like mediocrity in your eyes may, in fact, be faithfulness in the sight of God.
With faith in my heart,
Adunni
May 20, 2026
- 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. ↩︎
- 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ↩︎
- 1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. ↩︎
Leave a comment