Every year in the United States we celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. It is an opportunity to recognize and honor our mothers. All of us have in common the fact that we have (or had) a mother, but sometimes we take them for granted.

I was at a leadership gathering recently and we were given an exercise to complete. Part of the assignment was to write on a Post-It Super Sticky paper on the wall, three people who were most influential in shaping you into who you are today. Number one on my list was my mother. It is nearly impossible to encapsulate all the reasons why but I am grateful for and indebted to her. I am also eternally grateful for the impact my wife has had on our children, and they would not be the people they are today without her influence.

The age we live in is a tragic one in many ways concerning how the roles of men and women have been confused and conflated. Homes need godly fathers who take their responsibilities seriously and they need godly mothers who take their responsibilities seriously. The world is not a better place when men do not know how to be men and women do not know how to be women. We are not the same no matter how the secular culture tries to present it.

There are many traits that a godly woman will embody in the strength of the Lord. Proverbs 31 outlines some of them.

A godly woman is of noble character.

v10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

A godly woman is faithful.

v11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

A godly woman works hard.

v14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.

A godly woman is strong.

v17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.

A godly woman is caring.

v20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

A godly woman is clothed with honor.

v25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

A godly woman is wise.

v26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

A godly woman is called blessed by her children and her husband praises her.

v28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.

A godly woman fears the Lord.

v30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Mothers are essential to families and we should honor them. Women are also essential to the work of God’s kingdom. The New Testament references women like Elizabeth, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Lydia, Damaris, Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, and many others. Paul mentioned 28 people he wanted to greet in Rome and 10 of them were women. I am thankful for the work of godly women in God’s kingdom.

Happy Mother’s Day!

“Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” Billy Graham