People define courage in many ways. Abraham Lincoln called it “going forward in the face of fear.” Franklin Roosevelt described it as “the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” At night, when my kids were young and afraid of sleeping alone, I would tell them courage was simply “fear that has said its prayers.”
Regardless of how you define it, one thing is certain: courage is essential for every great feat. Those who make significant impacts in the world are often those who fight through fear for something of utmost importance.
And many times, those people are mothers. Every day, mothers do things afraid—responding to fear with courage for the sake of their families. And that kind of courage changes generations.
We find this truth woven all throughout Scripture. One of the most striking examples is not from a single story but from a collection of stories—the four women named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1.
Because genealogies rarely included women at that time, their presence is highly significant. Each of these women faced fear, uncertainty, and hardship. Yet, because of their courage, God’s plan of salvation was fulfilled through their family line. What an honor to be forever connected to the Savior of the world.
First, there was Tamar, whose story we read in Genesis 38. She demonstrated the courage to fight for her future, even when her circumstances seemed insurmountable. Through her boldness, she secured her place in the lineage of Christ.
Next, we meet Rahab in Joshua 2 and 6. A woman with a complicated past, Rahab exhibited the courage to act in faith. She risked her life to protect God’s people, and because of her faith, her family was saved and her legacy transformed.
Then there was Ruth. Her story, told in Ruth 1-4, is one of devotion and resilience. Ruth showed the courage to follow—leaving her homeland and embracing a new life and faith. Her unwavering commitment led her to become the great-grandmother of King David, the line through which Jesus was born.
Finally, we read about Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11-12. After enduring profound loss and scandal, Bathsheba showed courage to move from pain to purpose. Her story reminds us that God redeems even the most broken circumstances for His glory.
As I reflect on these women, I think of the mothers I know today who exemplify the same bravery. Ones who fight for their family’s future by pursuing education or working hard to overcome challenges from their past. Others who act in faith, holding onto hope in situations that feel unbearable.
I think of women who have followed God’s leading, embracing new seasons with bravery, and I picture those who have faced unimaginable pain but courageously choose to walk in healing and purpose.
And to all of you, I say thank you. Thank you for your courage to establish godly legacies for generations to come. Heaven notices, and so do we!
Happy Mother’s Day weekend!