Yes, Mothers’ Day was a week ago Sunday, but a very important mother turns up on the church calendar today, Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. He was the first Christian emperor. Some sources indicate Constantine persuaded his mother to become a Christian. Others sources say that she had become a Christian before Constantine and influenced him. That confusion probably reflects the odd way faith is affected by family dynamics.

I have to say however Helena became a Christian, she became a truly committed, enthusiastic one. She spent several years when she was in her late 70s on pilgrimage to the Holy Land where she caused several churches to be built.

It’s interesting to think about faith and families. My own mother was baptized in a Roman Catholic church, but was never confirmed. She became a Lutheran after marrying my father. (Dad’s family had been Lutheran since the Reformation.) The striking things was that it was my mother who had the better grasp of what Lutherans believed. She was the one who taught me my first prayer thus passing on the faith to a new generation.

If you want to have an interesting conversation with someone, talk about how faith played a part in their family. I’ve never found two families that have exactly the same story. That says something about where people are today. Never assume someone else has the same experience as you. Have a good conversation, but be sure to listen carefully.

Read 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 20 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne