Dear Ladies of Calvary Old Bridge,

We wish to extend a heartfelt “Happy Mother’s Day” to each woman who is a mother, grandmother, and spiritual mother. To every woman who shares her life with another, in whatever form it may take, we praise God for you, especially on this day. Please find a virtual Mother’s Day gift from Karen Pulley by clicking HERE.

We are quite aware, however, that this is a very different kind of Mother’s Day for all who are unable to gather together with loved ones and celebrate “Mom.” We also know it may be a very painful day for a number of reasons, and are especially mindful of those who are grieving the loss of their own mother, child, or longing and praying to become a mom. We want to assure you that you are in our prayers today. You are not alone. We, too, have grieved, longed for, and collectively shed more tears than could be counted. Some of us have walked through such seasons in the past and these experiences have been interwoven into our stories of witnessing the faithfulness of the Lord to carry His children through difficult times. Others of us are walking through them right now as you are, and we are here for you. Please know you may reach out or email us any time for prayer or to have a sister in the Lord listen and empathize with you.

To all women, regardless of your season or station in life, today we honor the Lord and give Him thanks for you. You are “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance” for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). You are His. But not only are you His, you are His handiwork. This word referred to an author’s masterpiece. Indeed, you are a masterpiece unto the Lord, who is the Author and Finisher of your faith. He is writing His story of grace throughout the pages of your life. Your story - His story - is on display for all those around you to see (or “read!”) as you are faithful to do the good works which He has called you to do, in the season you are currently in, now, today. Elisabeth Elliot said, “This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.”

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies,” (Proverbs 31:10). What encouragement we can find today in knowing that the two women described as “virtuous” were the Proverbs 31 woman (no surprise!) and also Ruth. Ruth, the Moabitess. The one who lost her husband yet pledged to her mother-in-law, “Wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people. And your God, my God.” (Oh, how Ruth may have read a story of grace in the life of her mother-in-law, Naomi, for years prior to this!). Later, while in Israel with Naomi and gleaning the fields of Boaz, Boaz declared to Ruth, “I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.”

The Proverbs 31 woman was a wife, mom, business woman, and more. She displayed a virtuous quality in every description written about her! But Ruth? At the point she was honored by being called a “virtuous woman” she was not a wife, not a mother, and had no earthly prestige. By external standards, she had nothing. But one thing she did have: her faith in God. By external comparisons, these women shared nothing in common. But one thing they did have in common: their faith in God. Ruth demonstrated it by leaving all she had previously known and by following Naomi and her God. The Proverbs 31 woman demonstrated it through her words and actions towards her family and others.

So in conclusion? You, woman of faith, woman of God, virtuous woman: on this Mother’s Day, whichever woman your station in life more closely resembles, remember that you are His, you are His masterpiece, He has prepared good works for you to walk in. Be faithful where He has you. Know if you are hurting, He will sustain and carry you. He is the God of all comfort and He will comfort you. He is near. Also know, woman of faith, virtuous woman: you are more precious than rubies. You are precious to your Heavenly Father. You are precious to the Body of Christ. You are precious to those whom you mother in any way by the sharing of your life. You are precious to us. Today, and always, we thank God for you.

With much love in Christ,
The Women’s Ministry of Calvary Old Bridge