Superwomen
On May 14, we celebrate mothers and special women in our lives. Mother’s Day can be a time of celebration and remembrance for their gift of love. Don’t we all know superwomen whose influence changed us for the better?
My grandmother was born in 1880. She taught in one-room school houses, lived through the Great Depression, prayed through two world wars, and was a widow for the last twenty-three years of her life. She loved her God and her family with fierce determination.
Granny ranks as superwoman.
My mother belongs in the superwomen group, too. A teacher as well, she was also a famer’s wife, a mother of five children, loved serving others, and was the kindest person I’ve ever known.
Do you know any superwomen?
Of course you do. These strong, tough, hard-working, gentle, and loving women impact our lives on a daily basis. Perhaps you’re blessed with teachers, aunts, and other role models who helped you grow into the person you are today. Maybe you have/had an “other mother” who nurtured you through trials.
Our Bible is filled with superwomen role models and lessons they share with us.
Hannah–Women give us lessons of faith and love of God.
Hannah desperately wanted a child and prayed God would grant her the opportunity to be a mother. Hannah loved her LORD and sent her son Samuel to be in God’s service.
“I prayed for this child and the LORD granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28a)
Esther–Women are strong and brave, especially in times of crisis.
When Mordecai learned of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews, he urged his cousin, Queen Esther, a favorite of King Xerxes, to intervene. This required Esther to approach the king without being summoned, an action punishable by death. Esther responded with courage.
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)
Jochebed, Mother of Moses–Mothers do whatever is required to protect their children.
As the Hebrews grew in numbers in Egypt, the fearful Pharaoh ordered all male Hebrew babies be thrown into the Nile. Jochebed protected baby Moses.
But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. (Exodus 2:3)
Ruth–Women are loyal and protective of their families and others.
Naomi’s husband and two sons died in a country not their own. As an impoverished widow, she felt she had little choice except to return to her homeland and seek help from relatives. She urged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab and seek new husbands. But Ruth refused to leave Naomi alone.
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
Rahab–Superwomen, who love God, do their best in all situations, no matter their past circumstances.
Joshua sent spies to Jericho to scout the city before their attack. Rahab, a prostitute, hid them safely in her home. She reported to the spies great fear spreading within the city when dwellers learned how the Israelites were conquering the land.
“When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:11)
Rahab asked for protection for her family. The spies and Joshua rescued Rahab and her family before burning the city.
These examples are only a small representation of the many faithful and courageous women in the Bible. Generations since have revealed countless more “superwomen” who loved God and lived out our Lord’s message to love one another.
Who are the faithful women who shaped your life?
I’m not seeking to overlook the contribution of faithful men, but hope and pray we remember and honor women this week. God gifted them with superpowers of patience, endurance, faith, and love. How can we show our love and appreciation?
This iris is a legacy from my grandmother. A treasure that reminds me of her gift of faith and love.
If I’m honest, and I suspect many of my male colleagues could say the same, my mama was the woman of greatest influence in my life. Watching her balance, home, work, church, family, and self was a lesson on grace and reliance upon God that I’ll never forget. I’ve tried to treat all my female friends, acquaintances, and loves with the same respect and reverence I treated Mom with. I try and treat my wife at least as well as I saw my dad treat his; and I’ve long been a staunch defender of women. Not because they are weak and need my protection, but because I believe God expects man to protect, care for, and keep the vile evils of this world as far from them as possible. Yes, I know I’m old fashioned and some might even say chauvinistic, but to them I say, “As long as I’m on the right side of God’s Word, I can life forever with that.” 🙂 God’s blessings Ms. Katherine; I can see the wonderful influence the superwomen in your life has had, and I suspect that if I were to ever meet your children and grandchildren, your “super-ness” will be clearly seen as well ma’am.
You are so kind, J.D. and I love your compassionate care of the women in your life. I don’t consider your loving care of your wife and other special women as chauvinistic, but rather being the role model for how we are called to care for others. Like you, I am blessed to have such wonderful examples in my life, my mother and grandmother, who exemplified loving care combined with firm discipline. Blessings, kind sir.
So many wonderful women have influenced my life–mother, grandmothers, aunts, Sunday school teachers, neighbors, family friends, and more. I thank God for each one.
I’m thankful, too, Diana, for the loving women who have guided me along this journey. I had so many wonderful role models. We are blessed, aren’t we?
Our mothers influence us more than we realize. When my mother died in 1975, I was only 19. A few years later I found a mentor, mother of eight, a wise, wise woman.
I asked her once how she did it all. Her humble response: Well, sometimes, not very well.
Women, we need each other for understanding and shared burden bearing.
Thanks, Katherine, for these reminders of greatness. God bless!
It must have been so difficult for you to deal with your mother’s death at such a young age. I’m sure it made you stronger, but the sorrow and pain must have been overwhelming. I think we can all identify with your mentor’s humble response. I know there have been many times, as a mother, that I felt so inadequate. We gain so much when we have women supporting us along our way. That’s a good reminder for us to be that kind of mentor for other women. Thank you for your encouragement, Nancy, and for reminding us to help others bear their burdens. Blessings!
I can’t say enough about my mother. She didn’t have a college education or a high profile career. She was a stay at home mom who worked part time in a store. But she made sacrifices for us and taught me about Jesus.
She is the best superwoman to me. Happy Mothers Day, Katherine!
I feel the same way about my mother. She’s the best role model I could’ve had. I want to be like her when I grow up! Happy Mother’s Day, Barbara.
What a wonderful use of stories of biblical women to illustrate godly traits in the women who inspire us.
I owe many women much gratitude – starting with my three older sisters
My older sisters have been wonderful mentors for me as well, Candyce. And like you, I’ve had many women along my journey who have blessed me as friends, mentors, and encouragers. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a blessed week.
I loved reading about your grandmother and mother, Katherine, and reflected on the blessing mine were. The Iris photo made me smile because my grandmother loved them. You led us to consider traits of godly women from Scripture and our lives. May we be found faithful.
Perhaps my love of flowers is genetic, a gift from my grandmother. I’ve read several blogs focusing on mothers this week and all have been a blessing for me. I’ve reflected on the many women who’ve loved and guided me on my journey of faith. I’m thankful. Wishing you blessings, Jeannie, and Happy Mother’s Day.
Happy Mother’s Day Katherine. Thank you for reminding me about all these incredible women of the Bible. They offer us so much encouragement for how to live a Godly life.
Thank you for your good wishes, Yvonne, and Happy Mother’s Day to you as well. We are blessed to have so many role models to guide us along on our faith journey. Wishing you joy and blessings.
So grateful and humbled when I consider how many godly women have poured into me. Thank you for reminding me of so many dear faces! Looking forward to seeing yours soon!
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Sylvia. I’m looking forward to seeing and chatting with you soon. My God bless you and grant you peace. Happy Mother’s Day!
Love how you related these biblical women to today’s women. Katherine, your mother and grandmother sound like awesome women. Loved hearing about them too.
I am truly blessed by the godly women who mentored me on my journey. I expect many of us can say the same about those who were wonderful role models for us. Thank you for your encouragement, Debbie. Happy Mother’s Day!
Katherine, my grandmothers, my mother, and my spiritual mentors have all been superwomen who influenced me greatly. I enjoyed reading your biblical examples of women who teach us to exercise faith and love, to be strong and brave, to protect, to be loyal, and to do our best no matter our past circumstances. Great post and thanks for sharing.
There have been so many superwomen in my life! My mom is an amazing example of faith, and she was the first to teach me how to pray and teach. So many mentors over the years as well, some I knew, some who hardly know me but that I had the privilege to meet at one point. Some taught me how to study the Bible, others prepared me for leadership, others encouraged me in my duties as wife and mom. Thank you for this beautiful blog that shows the mentors that the Lord gave us in His Word as well!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and sharing your thoughts, Rachel. Like you, I’ve been blessed by so many wonderful teachers and mentors. Now we are in that role for others. It’s a huge responsibility, but we know our Lord is with us and guiding us as we mentor to others. May God bless you in your service to Him.
Lisa, we are truly blessed to have had such wonderful women to mentor us on our faith journey. To see them living out their faith in their actions made a powerful impact on me. I’m sure others see your faithfulness in caring for your mother and being a light for Jesus on your journey. Thanking of you and praying for you–being a caregiver is difficult, but is a loving gift. God is with you.
My mom’s been gone for many years now, but I realize her super-ness with every passing year. She had many problems to overcome, but God worked through her life in amazing ways. Thanks, Katherine, for a great post!
“Super-ness”–I like that, Annie. Now we are called to exhibit our “super-ness” to others as we become role models and mentors. You are a blessing in that role, my friend, and I’m honored and blessed to learn from you. Wishing you continued blessings on your journey.