This week is Mother’s Day, a good time to honor not just our mothers but all the women who pour into our lives—from friends to ministers to colleagues to lunchroom ladies to cleaning ladies and more. Most women have found a special niche to fill in the lives of those closest to them and have nurtured a sphere of influence that they can touch in the people around them. I can already hear some of the accolades that will be lauded on these ladies, “World’s Greatest Mom”, “Woman of the Year”, “Sweetheart”, “Virtuous Woman”, on and on.
I wonder if mothers were honored in Bible days. Just because women are not mentioned extensively in the Scriptures doesn’t mean that they were not a valued part of society in Bible times. And when they were referenced, it was usually for a significant and meaningful reason. Many women from biblical times until now live as unsung heroes, unrecognized by men, but held in high esteem in the eyes of the Lord.
If Paul were to mention you in one of his epistles, what would he have to say about you? He had good things to say about many of his fellow believers in Romans 16:3-16. Here are some of my favorites:
“Greet Mary, who labored much for us…”
Are you laboring much for the cause of Yeshua?
“Greet Apelles, approved in Christ…”
This is what I would like to hear said about me—that God approves of me.
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine…”
How powerful, to be chosen by God! And his mother was a mother to more than just her own family. She nurtured many in the family of God, including Paul. Are you a mother like that?
“Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord…”
This implies that perhaps not all in Narcissus’ family were in the Lord (were believers). Maybe that is the case in your family too. But he was working on them because he had some in his household who were followers of Christ. Don’t give up! Keep working on those family members who are not yet in the Lord. The Lord will honor you for your efforts just as Paul honored Narcissus for his influence.
And finally,
“Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord…”
Yes, you are beloved by God! And the closer you draw to Him the stronger He loves you.
Maybe some of these platitudes seem too high and lofty to reach, but don’t let the devil tell you that you are unworthy of honor. As a son or daughter of the Great King Yeshua, you are deserving of all the blessings in Heaven that the Lord has to bestow on you. And the highest accolade He can give you is to say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant…” No matter what kind of woman or mother (or father) you are, sung or unsung, I pray you will have a day filled with God’s love and approval and favor in all you do for Him.