I like to call March 9th Esther Day. It’s a Jewish holiday called, Purim. I’m not Jewish but decided to celebrate this day as it honors the biblical character, Queen Esther. My new, 5-month-old granddaughter is our family’s new little Esther.

Here’s a little history. At my Esther’s birth when her name was announced, my first thought was, “that’s beautiful, but not a common name nowadays.” I thought about Esther from Scripture and the brave role she played in saving her Jewish people from the plots of Hamon, a wicked advisor, to the King.

He planned a scheme to wipe out the Jewish people and the King agreed.

It almost worked, except Queen Esther saved the day.

In Persian, the name Esther means, Star. There is another meaning to her name, in Hebrew, Esther means, Hidden. In the story, she keeps her Jewish heritage a secret until she hears of the scheme to destroy her people. She decides to risk her life and confront the King and stand up for her people. She hid her true identity until in the King’s court she rose up and the plot was boldly exposed.

She could have kept quiet.

Knowing she could be killed if the King was displeased, she chose to be brave.

Her voice mattered. She spoke out. She made a difference and changed the course of history. She decided to risk it all. 

“I will do it..” was her motto, for such a time as this.

As Tricia Robinson writes, “She (Esther) decided to risk it all. She went before the King and asked him to save her people. Esther knew what she was called to do. She chose to go. She was a voice for the voiceless.” 

I want to be like Queen Esther. 

As I watch my little Esther granddaughter developing into her 5-month-old personality of wonder and exploration, my hope and prayers are that she will be brave and have the courage to do hard things. That she will know she’s not alone and there is already a destiny up ahead for her, a design prepared in advance.

I want to look at my life and examine where I need to be brave and have the courage to stand up. I don’t want to stay small, but use my voice where I know it needs to be heard. I don’t want to sink back in fear of the unknown or a consequence I’m not sure of.

May we all be modern-day Esther’s and walk-in boldness and courage. 

This story is found in the book of Esther in the Bible, Old Testament. I’m going to share this story each March 9th with my little Esther to remind her of her namesake.

You are reading this later than the Day of Purim holiday, but the message is one we all can contemplate.

Be strong in what you know you are called to do, and do it.

~ Janet