As Mother’s Day approaches I want to take time to say “Happy Mother’s Day” not only to my Mother but to all Mother’s!  I realize I am so fortunate and blessed to still have my Mother with me.  I think there is a special God given bond we have with our Mother’s, in a healthy relationship.  I know for different reasons not all have a healthy relationship.  But I also know that making the top 10 commandments, coming in at number 5, is “Honor your father and mother!”  God has placed our Mother’s at a place of honor.

Jesus not only honored His earthly mother in living, but also in dying as He echoed from the cross to His disciple John, “Behold your mother!”  The bible says from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

But what about the woman who will never marry?  Never have children?  Is she considered less of a woman?  Is identifying with women kind as a life-bearer, the only trait?  In the kingdom of God, the Bible says that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Jesus said in Matthew “whoever does the will of My father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (cf. Matt.12: 50)

We need to understand that biblical womanhood is to include every woman.  While a woman may fulfill the role or calling of wife and mother, that is not her highest calling.  The bible says her highest calling is “fear of the Lord.” (cf. Proverbs 31: 30)  Her true identity is who she is in Christ and she first and foremost fears the Lord.  Ruth understood the great calling of following Yahweh.  She served her mother-in-law with loyalty and served God with faithfulness.  She broke cultural barriers and was commended and honored, not for her role as wife and mother, but for her fear of the Lord.

I want to say thank you to our Mother’s, but also to all women who have loved, mentored and mothered in the fear of the Lord - your true identity!

Pastor Rodney