【教養兒女】偉大的祖母

 

單親的母親值得我們敬重,但是有一些祖母更是特別值得表揚。我最近重新發現近代有留下歌聲的男高音,天生的恩賜莫可比馬利奧蘭沙(Mario Lanza)。可惜 38 歲就過世了,妻子在幾個月之後也去世了。留下四個孩子,自然是由婆婆瑪利亞蘭沙(Maria Lanza)照顧了。她自己也是歌唱家,瑪利奧就是她教出來的。雖然四個孩子都帶到成年,但是現在還存活的只有大孫女以利沙(Elisa),其他的都中年就去世。

今天在不少中國的家庭,孩子們很多都是祖母帶大的,原因各有不同。一位最叫我欣賞的祖母是在河南省一個不太富裕的小鎮。這位祖母只是我的孩子的歲數,可是她女兒在 17 歲時就跟一個 18 歲的男孩發生關係,生了一個女孩子。兩位年輕人一走了之,就是婆婆愛心撫養這個可愛的女孩子。我第一次遇見她的時候,她只有五歲,背聖經,我所用的接受主的禱告文,背得滾瓜爛熟,字字清楚,還很溫馨地叫我做太爺!這些年頭她還陸續地,透過微信音頻背聖經給我聽。

新約聖經裡面一位神所重用的僕人,提摩太,就是敬虔的祖母和媽媽帶大的。「奉神旨意,照著在基督耶穌裡生命的應許,作基督耶穌使徒的保羅,寫信給我親愛的兒子提摩太。願恩惠憐憫平安,從父神和我們主基督耶穌,歸與你。想到你心裡無偽之信。這信是先在你外祖母羅以,和你母親友尼基心裡的。我深信也在你的心裡。為此我題醒你,使你將神藉我按手所給你的恩賜,再如火挑旺起來。因為神賜給我們,不是膽怯的心,乃是剛強,仁愛,謹守的心。」(提摩太後書1:1-7)

小弟兄提摩太

提摩太是保羅最親的乾兒子,也是保羅的好同工。關於他的父親,《使徒行傳》只說是希臘人,也不知道有沒有信主。「保羅來到特庇,又到路司得。在那裡有一個門徒,名叫提摩太,是信主之猶太婦人的兒子,他父親卻是希利尼人。」(16:1)但是教會對他的評價卻是:「路司得和以哥念的弟兄,都稱讚他。」(16:2)《提摩太後書》就告訴我們,他基本上是婆婆和媽媽帶大的。

保羅第一次的宣道旅行帶的年輕人,是巴拿巴的表弟馬可,但是馬可想家,半途而廢。現在神叫他看上了提摩太。這孩子雖然被同城的弟兄稱讚,但是從聖經的記載看,他給大家的印象好像有一點先天不足,後天不良。第一,他年輕。《提摩太後書》4:12說:「不可叫人小看你年輕。」第二,所以他有自卑感。保羅就需要不斷地提醒他要剛強,不要膽怯。第三,他的身體又不好,明顯不是太健康,胃口又不好,又常常生病。《提摩太後書》5:12說:「因你胃口不清,屢次患病,再不要照常喝水,可以稍微用點酒。」有些人想要用這一節聖經來支持他們酗酒的習慣。我多數是問他們,他們是什麼病?

所以提摩太給人的印象是瘦瘦小小,體弱多病,木訥不言,害羞沒膽。那麼保羅找一位這樣的小伙子來當他的主要同工,還要面對那麼多又凶又會狡辯的假師傅,幹嘛?自然這是神透過保羅的揀選。

保羅的錦囊妙計

第一個勸勉就是:剛強。原因是神給我們的心就是「剛強、仁愛、謹守的」。所以一定要依靠神。第二,要熟悉聖經。《提摩太後書》3:14說:「但你所學習的,所確信的,要存在心裡。因為你知道是跟誰學的。」保羅為什麼知道提摩太能夠做得到?「並且知道你是從小明白聖經。」(3:15)第三,要效法保羅的心態,清潔的良心。《提摩太後書》1:3說:「我感謝神,就是我接續祖先,用清潔的良心所事奉的神,......。」

原因何在 -- 心地單純

「想到你心裡無偽之信。這信是先在你外祖母羅以,和你母親友尼基心裡的。我深信也在你的心裡。」(提摩太後書1:5)他的婆婆和媽媽大概沒有什麼資源本事來栽培他,但是她們所有的,就是一顆赤子之心,無偽之信。今天侍奉主的人,多麼的需要有一顆這樣的心!所以在《腓立比書》中保羅見証提摩太說:

「因為我沒有別人與我同心,實在挂念你們的事。別人都求自己的事,並不求耶穌基督的事。但你們知道提摩太的明証,他興旺福音與我同勞,待我像兒子待父親一樣。」(2:20-22)

神的家正是需要這種的人,單單純純地侍奉主。在提摩太的背景裡,是誰教導他成為這樣的福音工人的呢?是他的婆婆和媽媽。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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