You need to know this: I have no children in my home. My husband and his late wife had one daughter, and she was a married adult with children of her own when Joe and I married forty-four months ago. That information is critical to this post.

On Mother’s Day each year I honor my own mother, just as I endeavor to do the remainder of the year. It’s a day set aside to honor the tireless work and love that mothers pour out on a daily basis from their seemingly endless supply. Yes, they’re human. Yes, they get it wrong sometimes (just as we all do). Yes, they deserve our honor and respect in spite of it…and because of it. They show us what grace looks like, and for that, we most certainly are grateful.

Though I have no children of my own, I have a family member who annually calls or texts me on Mother’s Day to thank me for being a “woman of influence” in her life. It touches my heart to receive her unnecessary and undeserved (but much appreciated) words of acknowledgment and gratitude.

To think of ourselves as “women of influence” borders, in our minds, on being boastful or on thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think (see Romans 12:3). However, Scripture encourages us—no, it commands us—to teach those who are younger than we are (see Titus 2:3-5) and since each of us is older than someone, that applies to all of us. Therefore, we are all, as humbling as the title is, women of influence.

How can you influence other women? The answer is in the passage I first referenced above: Romans 12. The chapter begins with the admonition to present ourselves, through the renewing of our minds by His Word, as sacrifices to God, willing to do whatever He desires for us to do in this moment. We are then reminded in verse 3 (see above) that the faith and abilities we have are from God. The chapter continues as the writer encourages his readers (under the direction of the Holy Spirit) to use their varying gifts and abilities to bless others and to serve God.

There is no greater influence than that. There is no greater joy than that. There is no greater privilege than that. There is no greater responsibility than that.

So to the grandmothers, the mothers, the childless, the women and girls of all ages, may this weekend of celebration serve not as a source of sorrow over unmet expectations or unfulfilled dreams. May you instead be reminded of the glorious blessing that you have in being a woman of influence.

And to the women of influence in my life…I thank you.