The following is a quote to honor the women in my life whose example has challenged me to hope in God: 1) my mom who is the epitome of what John Piper calls “velvet steel” – she is both strong and sweet at once 2) my mother-in-love (to borrow Elisabeth Elliot’s reference to her own mother-in-law) who was my mentor in ministry before she became the dear woman whom I respect for raising such a wonderful, godly man (my husband!) 3) my grandma who is with the Lord, Carol Jean Neuhart, who was the most godly woman I have ever known. I thank God for all of you and the influence you’ve had and continue to have on my life! I love you! Happy Mother’s Day!
I Peter 3:5 “This is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands.”
The Deepest Root of Womanhood: Hope in God
The deepest root of Christian womanhood mentioned in this text is hope in God. “Holy women who hoped in God.” A Christian woman does not put her hope in her husband, or in getting a husband. She does not put her hope in her looks. She puts her hope in the promises of God. She is described in Proverbs 31:25: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” She laughs at everything the future will bring and might bring, because
she hopes in God.
She looks away from the troubles and miseries and obstacles of life that seem to make the future bleak, and she focuses her attention on the sovereign power and love of God who rules in heaven and does on earth whatever he pleases. She knows her Bible, and she knows her theology of the sovereignty of God, and she knows his promise that he will be with her and help her and strengthen her no matter what. This is the deep, unshakable root of Christian womanhood. And Peter makes it explicit in verse 5. He is not talking about just any women. He is talking about women with unshakable biblical roots in the sovereign goodness of God—holy women who hope in God. -John Piper, from The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission
She looks away from the troubles and miseries and obstacles of life that seem to make the future bleak, and she focuses her attention on the sovereign power and love of God who rules in heaven and does on earth whatever he pleases. She knows her Bible, and she knows her theology of the sovereignty of God, and she knows his promise that he will be with her and help her and strengthen her no matter what. This is the deep, unshakable root of Christian womanhood. And Peter makes it explicit in verse 5. He is not talking about just any women. He is talking about women with unshakable biblical roots in the sovereign goodness of God—holy women who hope in God. -John Piper, from The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission
A Museum of Memories 
Leave a Reply