Cinderella Story - Helena - The One Year Women in Christian History Devotional

CA. 248-CA. 327

As we piece together the story of Helena, it begins to sound like a fairy tale—until it goes horribly wrong. She was a commoner who wed a prince. Ancient sources call her a “stablemaid,” and the “prince” was Constantius, a general with hopes of becoming Rome’s emperor. One legend says Helena and Constantius were wearing matching bracelets when they met—a sign that this was a match made in heaven. She bore him a son, Constantine.

But then the love story sours. When Constantine was still a teenager, his father dumped Helena for a new wife who aided his political ambitions. Was this the end for Helena? Hardly. Her son was still being groomed for greatness, so she stayed near him in the court of Emperor Diocletian as he rose through the ranks. There she had a front-row seat to one of the most amazing religious turnarounds in history.

For two and a half centuries, the Roman Empire had persecuted Christians. In fact, Emperor Diocletian was conducting the toughest persecution yet. But when he died, there was a power struggle involving several other generals and Constantine, who had succeeded his dying father. Before an important battle, Constantine saw a vision of Jesus predicting victory. This led to his conversion, and as he consolidated his power and became emperor, he made Christianity the official religion of Rome. Within a mere fifteen years, Christians had gone from prisons to palaces.

And Helena herself was finally a queen. Constantine publicly honored his mother in many ways, perhaps trying to make up for his father’s rejection. It’s not clear when exactly she became a Christian, but she apparently did, since later in life she took a special interest in the Holy Land, finding biblical sites and rebuilding churches.

How does the arc of your life compare with Helena’s? Have you seen some dramatic ups and downs too? Is your story a fairy tale or a horror flick—or both? Whether you’re a queen or a stablemaid, a lovesick teen or a single mom, God has plans for you, and these plans will not be thwarted.

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11