It is hard to believe that just over a year ago my Mom had her homecoming. She passed shortly before Easter 2018. I continue to mourn the interrupted fellowship with her, while joyfully celebrating her being with Christ. In a real sense, heaven seems like an even more welcoming place knowing she is with our Lord. Her positive influence on me still ripples through my life. She was a great mom and grew to be a godly lady.
In the last chapter of Proverbs, a book filled with pithy and memorable sayings encouraging people to pursue wisdom, we discover the words that a mom of a king taught her son. In Proverbs 31:10-31 we find the description of a woman who loves and respects the Lord. These verses speak of a virtuous woman. The reason the king’s mother taught him these words was in the hope that her son would marry such a woman.
The king’s mother knew that her son’s choice of a wife would be a determining influence on his life. She understood that marrying a woman who truly loves the Lord and focusing his affections on her alone would lead to blessing and to not do so would be a decision he would live to regret. It’s hard to overstate the influence of a spouse and the positive influence of a godly lady.
Now it’s important to note that the lady described in Proverbs 31 is an idealized snapshot of a godly woman. You read and think, “she is perfect,” and she is. Remember, this is a mother’s description of the type of woman her son ought to marry. My point in bringing this up is that no one is perfect, but the description does describe the type of person we all ought to desire to be in Christ. The woman described is godly and is someone worth learning from and even emulating. She is someone to follow like Paul, the apostle, who wrote: “imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Paul is not arrogant, but desiring that His walk with the Lord would positively influence others in Christ. It is truly a blessing to have the influence of godly people on our life.
Besides my Mom, I have been honored to have the influence of a few spiritual mothers. Spiritual mothers are those women in my life who have treated me as a spiritual child. They have positively impacted my life for Christ. Ladies like Mrs. Graham, my third grade Sunday school teacher, Ann Bragg and Janet Coates who were married to my Jr. and Sr. high Student Pastors, and Patty Bray my lead pastor’s wife where I served on staff right after college have had a profound impact on my life.
My wife, Krista, is a godly lady. Her love for our family and me is such a blessing. I have learned much from her and benefited greatly from her influence on my life.
There is a verse in Proverbs that reads: “Her children stand and bless her and her husband praises her” (Prov 31:28). Those who know the Proverbs 31 woman best honor her. As I read this verse, I am reminded to honor the women who have made such a positive impact on my life. I am indebted to each of them. Like my Mom, their influence still ripples through my life.
It is my joy to journey with Christ with each of you. I hope you have, like me, had the privilege of godly woman pouring into your life. If so, I hope you will join me in taking the time to honor them by saying thanks. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!