Women of Valor: The Ragpicker’s Wife

by Marilynn Chadwick

Men, women, and children of all ages squeezed into the patchwork tent that was both home and church for Pastor Raju and his family. David and I were traveling through this remote slum village in India to see the work of church planters like Raju.

Raju was a ragpicker by trade. Daily, he sifted through the nearby garbage dump to find rags, plastic, bits of this-and-that to sell. It looked as if Raju had used some of “this-and-that” to construct his tent which, though humble, was very clean and well organized inside.

Raju was also a Dalit, a member of the “untouchable” caste, as were most of his neighbors. Courageous pastors like Raju were why the gospel was spreading rapidly in this region that was hostile to Christians.

Raju was small and wiry with a firm grip and a wide grin. He was fiery and passionate that morning as he reminded his people that they were the “head and not the tail” in God’s eyes. No longer did they have to be terrified of displeasing the cruel gods or being rejected by higher castes. For now, their identity was secure as dearly loved children of their heavenly Father, adopted into Christ’s church.

Warmth and singing filled the tent. Traditional orange marigold leis had been draped over our shoulders. Plastic chairs were brought in for the “honored guests.” David was asked to preach the message to Raju’s church of about fifty congregants.

Raju had endured much persecution. But this gaunt little warrior deeply loved his people and continued to boldly preach the gospel. Once, he went on a hunger strike until village authorities finally brought electricity into his slum neighborhood. I noticed the haphazard electrical rigging outside his tent.

But it was Raju’s wife who captured my heart. Somehow, she had worked her magic and turned the patchwork tent into an inviting home. Her kitchen was just one shelf, a few staples, and a one-burner hot plate in a corner of the room that was also bedroom, living room, and church.

After the service, she prepared tea along with a single roll of Ritz crackers, served to us by their children. Raju beamed as he introduced his family. A handful of boys and girls, from around eight to sixteen years of age, greeted us with shining faces and firm handshakes. They had been well-nurtured there in that little one-room tent beside the garbage dump. How was this possible?

I noticed Raju’s wife, though lovely in her colorful sari, looked very thin and worn. I was told that Indian mothers and fathers sometimes go without food to make sure their children have enough to eat. This tiny woman had found a way to nurture these smiling children who were adored by their dad. She and her husband had given them physical, emotional, and spiritual nourishment. Looking into their faces, I sensed they would somehow find their way in this harsh and difficult environment.

Raju’s wife was both nurturer and warrior for her little family. She’s living proof that a woman of valor doesn’t just live in a palace, but could just as well be found in a tent. Her children were a testimony that it doesn’t take money or education to nurture a child—just love, self-sacrifice and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the legacy of the ragpicker’s wife. This was her kingdom. Her husband and children were her crown.

Women of Valor: The Real Princess Diaries

by Marilynn Chadwick

I believe every woman has a little bit of princess in her. And deep down inside, she believes she can change the world. A long time ago there lived a real princess who actually did change the world. Her name was Margaret. She married a Scottish King and thus became Queen Margaret, one of the most beloved nobles in the history of Scotland.

I became captivated by her story years ago when traveling with our family through the Scottish Highlands. I was mesmerized by the land of castles, kings, kilts, and battlefields. Margaret embodied much of what we have been learning about the biblical woman of valor. Her story takes us back to the Middle Ages.

Margaret was an English princess born in 1045. Her parents fled to Hungary after the Danes took over England. When Margaret was ten years old, she and her family returned to England, where her father suddenly died before he could assume the throne. A few years later, Margaret and her mother, along with her two siblings, were forced to flee for their lives, once again, when William the Conqueror stormed his way through England. While sailing north, Margaret and her family were caught in a storm and shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland. They were aided by King Malcolm and put under his protection. Before long, Malcolm fell deeply in love with the beautiful and kind princess. Margaret and Malcolm married in 1070 at the castle in Edinburgh.

Margaret was a deeply committed Christian whose faith influenced the rather uncouth Malcolm. He turned his heart to God, largely because of his wife. They couple had six sons and two daughters and raised all to become strong followers of Christ. So respected was Margaret for her wisdom that Malcolm placed her in charge of all of Scotland’s domestic affairs. She was often consulted on other state matters as well. Malcolm couldn’t read or write, so Margaret often read him stories from the Bible. Her example also had an impact on the quality of Malcolm's reign, helping him become what was known as the “just ruler.” Together they prayed, fed the hungry, and served the needy.

Margaret had a heart for Scotland’s poor, showing special kindness to orphans. She fed the hungry every morning in the castle, even before she had her own breakfast. She was also known for her deep life of prayer, rising early for prayer and reading the Bible. She even encouraged the ordinary Scottish people to live as faithful Christians, emphasizing prayer and a holy lifestyle.

When learning about Margaret’s vast areas of service to Scotland, I couldn’t help but notice the quieter, but even more important impact she had on her eight children. Besides educating them at home, she instilled a strength of faith and character that set the foundation for three of her six sons to become Scottish kings during what was known as Scotland’s “Golden Era.”  As she had done with King Malcolm, she is said to have influenced her sons to become just and holy rulers.

Margaret was born into royalty—not what you would call an ordinary woman. But she shows what can happen when a woman of great influence chooses to use her position to accomplish God’s purposes. No wonder she has been called, “The Pearl of Scotland.” Who can measure the full impact, not just on Scottish history, but on the history of Christendom, because of this one life?

Women of Valor: Something Beautiful for God

by Marilynn Chadwick

There are many heroines found in the pages of the Bible. The Hebrew term used in Proverbs 31:10 for the famed “virtuous woman,” eshet chayil, can be better translated as “woman of valor” (Proverbs 31:10 JPS Tanakh 1917). I’ve come to believe women are at our best when engaged in a courageous fight for someone outside ourselves. While I love biblical heroines, I equally love stories of ordinary women who changed their world. This week and next week we will look at real life women—ordinary heroes who live out the biblical definition of being a woman of valor.

I’ve been privileged throughout my life to be influenced by many strong and courageous women. From my own mother and grandmothers to teachers and coaches, church and community leaders, and extended family members. Most of us can point to women who shaped our life somewhere along the way. They left their imprint on our character, our hopes, and our dreams. At times, they sacrificed their own dreams so we could reach ours.

Africans have a beautiful way of referring to all women as “mothers” whether they have children or not. They believe all women give life to their families and communities. Africans know that mothers can change the world. Thus, they have this saying: “To educate a girl is to educate a nation.” By their very nature, women are life-givers. Throughout history, courageous and noble women have discovered a mysterious truth: They found life when they gave their lives away—pouring themselves out in service to their families, to their communities, and to the hurting and broken of this world.

Most women I know are both nurturers and warriors. I’m reminded of my friend Jacqui, who waged a long and agonizing fight to gain custody of the daughter she lovingly fostered. Jacqui vowed, “I will not give up. After all, I’m a ‘Mama Bear’ fighting for her cub.” Or our daughter Bethany, a young mother of five who educates her children at home and juggles the busy and often unpredictable life of a pastor’s wife, along with her own writing and teaching. Most women know what I’m talking about when I speak of their fierce, fighter side. God designed women to be both nurturers and warriors.

The great evangelist D. L. Moody is said to have issued this powerful challenge to his sons from his deathbed: “If God be your partner, make your plans large.” Courageous men and women say to God, “Use me. Send me to the broken of this world!”

Mother Teresa dared to leave her comfortable and affluent life to serve the destitute in India. Her work has been celebrated the world over. Some have wondered about what were reported to be her “dark nights of the soul.” She was not a depressed woman, and those who knew her best said she would simply see those dry spells as nudges from God, telling her that it was time to go back out among the poor. She would see Jesus, once again, in the faces of those she served, and the joy of the Lord would always return.

Mother Teresa’s life of service was so compelling that the hard-boiled atheistic journalist, Malcolm Muggeridge, turned to Christ after extensive interviews with her. These interviews resulted in him writing a biography of her life, Something Beautiful for God. The apostle Paul similarly encouraged women to adorn themselves with good deeds, which would make them—like Mother Teresa—beautiful. Or as the Message paraphrases it: We should be “doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it” (1 Timothy 2:8-10 MSG).