An Example of a Godly Mother

“Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.’

Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth. As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said to her, ‘How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.’ But Hannah replied, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.’”  1 Samuel 1:9-16

One of the striking details described in the story of Samuel’s birth is the strong purpose and will of his mother, Hannah. Christian mother, are your circumstances beyond your control? You’ve tried but you are unable to change them, and your circumstances are doing more to change you.

In Hannah we have an example of the God-approved way to deal with such a situation. Obey God and leave the consequences of your obedience to Him. You cannot read this first chapter of 1 Samuel without an immediate realization of Hannah’s reverence for God and dependence upon Him. That is of key importance.

As moms and dads, we must recognize that the answers to our problems are not found in demanding our rights or forcing our own way. Have you ever taken your questions or problems to “the house of the Lord”? Have you left them there in His keeping? Can you say, like David, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me”?

Hannah found peace of heart when she put her case before the Lord and settled for His decision. You can trust Him too.       

“No man is poor who has a godly mother.”
                                                   -Abraham Lincoln