A Christian who helps to place orphans in homes tells about a little Russian boy named Ivan. He's a lovable child with a shock of brown hair falling over his face. When he learned that he might be able to leave the orphanage, he said, "Please, will you find me a mother?"

Fathers are important too, but there are times when nothing but a mother's touch will do. Even grown men need it.

The apostle Paul, probably in his fifties, sent special greetings to a fellow believer in Rome named Rufus. Interestingly, he added greetings to "his mother and mine" (Romans 16:13). Why would he refer to her in this way?

During his years of ministry, Paul faced many hardships (2 Corinthians 6:4-10). Could it be that Rufus had brought a weary and tired apostle to his house, where Paul received from the mother of Rufus comforting words, a fresh garment, and a nourishing meal? Did Paul receive from her the empathy and tenderness that only a mother can give? We don't know this for sure, but it could explain his unusual greeting in today's text.

I believe that God has given mothers a unique capacity for showing gentleness and compassion, and for influencing the spiritual direction of children. Let's be thankful for our mothers and for those who have been like a mother to us.  — Herbert Vander Lugt