A Godly Mother

A godly mother or mother-in-law deserves to be shown respect, especially on Mother’s Day.

“Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain following one in whose eyes I may find favor.’ And she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter.’”—Ruth 2:2 NASB

The relationship between Naomi and Ruth is one of the most heart-warming stories in the Bible. They only met because Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, uprooted their family during a time of famine and moved them to Moab. There, Ruth the Moabitess married one of Naomi’s sons.

Disaster struck when Elimelech and both of Naomi’s sons died. After she decided to return to Israel, Naomi assumed her daughters-in-law would stay in Moab. But Ruth surprised Naomi with her desire to go with her. Expressing a profound love toward her mother-in-law, Ruth said, “Where you go, I will go, and where you sleep, I will sleep. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (1:16).

When they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth listened to Naomi’s advice, showing continual respect. Naomi began to think of her in special terms, even calling her “my daughter.”

Honoring our parents is an important expression of our faith. God commanded, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged on the land which the LORD your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12). Although relationships with our families can be difficult at times, the example of Naomi and Ruth shows that wonderful things can happen in these relationships.

Today, remember to honor your mother if she is alive. If you have a mother-in-law, show her that same honor. And if you are a mother or a mother-in-law, celebrate your opportunities to show God’s love.

Reflection Question: Reflect on your relationship with your mother and mother-in-law.