There have been times when I’ve been criticized for being a “career” woman—which meant I was ambitious and made decisions based on my career ladder or upward mobility. My family made some sacrifices as I accepted work assignments that took me away from home, but in the long run those decisions helped us financially.

Unfortunately, I still hear some of this criticism today as I watch the Gen X and Millennials take their place in the workforce and young women make the hard decisions to promote.

But, once again, I want to point us to our instruction manual (the Bible) to see that women in the workplace isn’t new and that they were very important to Jesus’ ministry.

In Luke 8:1-3, it says, “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

We don’t know how Joanna, Susanna, and others obtained their money, but we do know they had money to help directly support Jesus and his ministry and that they traveled with them in order to do so. Jesus wasn’t hampered by public opinion—imagine the gossips as these women traveled with Jesus and helped support him and his apostles!

In Acts 16:14, it says, “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.”

Once again, we see Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, who heard the message of Jesus through Paul, and persuaded Paul and his party to stay at her home. This happened on at least two occasions and I can only imagine Lydia holding a great dinner party to honor Paul and his companions—possibly even helping his ministry financially.

If Jesus respected and accepted women in the workforce, then who are we to judge those who choose to have a career and a family?

Rahab is my favorite woman in the Bible. Not because of who she was but because of who God is and how he uses people for his grand design. The story of Rahab offers me hope. (Read Joshua 2 for more about Rahab).

The Bible doesn’t disclose why Rahab is a prostitute. Perhaps her father was an invalid or her family was starving. But what we do know is that Rahab had a fear of the Lord and believed in our one true God.

Imagine Rahab in ancient Canaan, openly a prostitute at a time when women had no rights. She’s a woman who probably sees all types of men, and she hears about God, and the miracles He performed on behalf of the Israelites when they escaped Egypt. So when the spies from Israel show up at her door, she lies to the King’s men to protect them. And then strikes a bargain with the spies to protect her and her family if she helps them.

Stay with me, because I do have a point. The people who lived around Rahab probably shunned her. She was probably ostracized from the community—much like prostitutes are shunned now. If Rahab lived next door to me, I have to wonder whether I’d invite her into my home or out for coffee. And even asking that question of myself tells me much about my character.

I thank God for his mercy and grace. Thankfully God’s ways aren’t my ways or we’d all be in big trouble. Rahab teaches me a lesson in judging others. I’m simply not qualified. God blessed Rahab by giving her a husband and children. And she is privileged to be one of Christ’s ancestors. I think I’d be the privileged one if she’d accept an invitation into my home. Would she accept me into hers?

God created the moon and the stars, the oceans and seas, the flowers and every living creature on earth. When I look at our world, I see perfection. Why would woman (and man) be any different?

In the upcoming weeks, I plan to focus on how God views women according to our instruction manual, the Bible. I’m not an expert in what God thinks, but there are some truths that I’m sure we will all appreciate.

Let’s start at the beginning, when man and woman were created. Genesis 2:7 says, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

God knew it wasn’t good for man to be alone, so he created woman. God created every bird and animal from the ground, including Adam. But for some reason God created Eve differently. He created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. I’m not a genius, but God made us differently than every other creation on earth. Why?

Obviously I don’t know the answer, but it’s a great question, right?

This week has been a difficult one—once again I was reminded of how flawed and fallible I am. I  have been so busy of late, traveling all over the state for work, trying to be a good wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, co-worker—that my dearest relationships have suffered.

There are only 24 hours in a day, yet at the end of each day, what do I have to say about my accomplishments? That I took care of two personnel matters at work? That I paid bills? That I did the laundry? These are all important, but what I should be asking is, “Did I make a difference in someone’s life today?

My relationships with my family and friends are important to me. And my relationships are also important to God. In Acts 17:26, it says, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” We aren’t here by mistake. Our families and friends aren’t determined by coincidence. God is and always has been in control.

So when I don’t take the time to call a friend or spend time with a loved one, I’m not the only one who gets hurt. We need each other, that’s why God put us together in this exact time in history and in this exact geographic location.

I made a promise this week to be a better friend and family member. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to take time this week to contact someone who’s been on your mind lately. You’ll be happy you did.