One of the most self-sacrificing characters in the Bible is Hannah, who prayed for a very long time for a son. She would faithfully go to the temple year after year crying in anguish to the Lord, vowing to return her child in service if her prayer was answered. God heard her prayer and gave her the desire of her heart. Just as she was faithful in her pleas, she was faithful in her word and when Samuel grew old enough she did indeed return him to the temple in service. She didn't resent her sacrifice; in fact, our verse for today is her rejoicing over her privilege!
This Mothers Day, may all mothers learn from Hannah about our mission in raising our children: to love and nurture them and send them out to influence the world in service to the Lord.
What a great privilege I have had as a mother to raise our two wonderful sons. But there were a few years when it felt more like the hardest job I ever had! You've heard it said: "real mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it!". One woman with young children said the work of a mother is "back-breaking, heart-wrenching and anxiety producing and that's just the morning!"
I want to be more like Hannah. She was a woman of prayer, a woman of gratitude, a woman of joy and a woman of faith.
Elisa Morgan of MOPS says "mothering is a small seed that grows into a big plant". We have been given a great gift to participate in that process. Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers (and that includes those who love and nurture children others have given birth to!).
For further study, you might enjoy reading about other mothers of the Bible: Sarah (Gen. 17-21), Rebekah (Genesis 24), Jochebed, mother of Moses (Exodus 2:1-10), The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:2-24), the woman in Proverbs 31:10-31, and Mary (Luke 1: 26-56).
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
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