“Her children arise and call her blessed…” (Proverbs 31:28)

Mother’s Day is always a good time to acknowledge the women who have influenced me the most. Throughout my life, I’ve had many examples of what a strong Christian woman looks like. My family tree is filled with women who have helped me learn more about Jesus and grow stronger in my faith, and I also have a lot of friends who have been good examples.

My mom is, of course, the strongest influence in my life. She has been there from the beginning, loving me and nurturing me, and has set a godly example for me to follow. When I was about six or seven, she explained that Jesus was my friend and would forgive my sins. My mom presented me with my first Bible (and second one), and she encouraged me to read it for myself to learn more about Jesus. My mom is still the first person I call when I need advice or to celebrate something good that’s happened. She and my dad were unwavering in their support of me running my own editing and writing business for so many years, and they have continued to support me as I have taken on a full-time office job, even though it means I get to spend less time with them.

My mom’s mom, my Grandma Rena, was one of the wisest women I’ve ever known. It’s possible that I’m biased, but all her kids and other grandkids say the same thing, as well as her friends, some of whom are still living (she passed in 2004 at the age of 85). Grandma Rena helped me see Jesus as a real person and taught me how to apply biblical truths to my life. She would weave Bible verses seamlessly into any conversation, and she could explain the Bible in a way that applied to my life as a teenager and young adult—a time when many struggle with their faith and turn away. She taught me to cook, and we spent countless hours playing games and watching Home Improvement. She encouraged me to live my life for God, not for anyone else, even when that meant others would be unhappy with my decisions. She recognized the timid people pleaser that I was, but instead of telling me how to live my life, she offered practical examples from her own life. I can still hear the sound of her voice when she told me not to do something just because my friends were doing it and when she talked about her life growing up and as a young married woman. Much of her life was hard, but she never felt sorry for herself—she shared those stories to show me that no matter how bad things seem, God is there and will always make a way.

My dad’s mom, my Grandma Velma, was my first and longest-term pen pal. Because my dad’s mom and stepdad lived in Nevada, I didn’t get to see them as often as I saw my mom’s parents, who lived just down the street from us. I preferred writing letters to talking on the phone, and Grandma Velma indulged me by writing back every time. Receiving letters from her was such a joy, and I remember rushing to my room to read her letter and pen my response as quickly as possible. Eventually, we adopted modern technology and switched to email, but there was something so personal about receiving a handwritten letter. Letters between us became less frequent as I got older and adult concerns took over my life, but we continued to exchange letters until she was no longer able. Grandma Velma was very active in her church and community, and she passed this love of helping people to me. As I got older, I learned about many of the struggles she had faced. I never would have guessed based on the way that she lived. She was divorced, which was not common for women of her generation, and she raised her kids while working full time for the railroad. Her oldest daughter died of an allergic reaction to penicillin at just ten years old. Like Grandma Rena, Grandma Velma also relied on God to give her strength to make it through whatever she faced.

Without these women in life, I’m not sure where I would have ended up. Words can’t express how thankful I am to the Lord for allowing me to have them in my life.

Dear Jesus, thank you for my mom, my Grandma Rena, my Grandma Velma, and all the strong women in my life. Thank you that they pointed me to you and showed me how to have my own relationship with you. Amen.