05/09/2026
Happy Mother's Day!
I don’t know about you, but I am deeply grateful for all the moms in my life. Starting with my wife Bethany, who is a wonderful mother to our (soon to be) two children. On a daily basis she diligently teaches and raises our daughter in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Then there is my own mother, who can be best described as faithful. Every morning I would wake and go in the living room, my mom would be reading her beat up, burgundy Bible and sipping a cup of tea. Then there is my mother-in-law, who I have to thank for raising my wife into the beautiful, godly woman she is today. This week my mind also goes to my Nana and Mamaw (grandmas on both sides), who brought up my parents in the Lord.
Not only does this bring a sense of nostalgia, it also brings to mind a deep sense of gratitude. For if it had not been for my family tree, I am not sure I would be following the Lord today. It is because of the faithful, simple obedience of every mom in my family tree that I am a Christian today. All of them exhibited love, care, discipleship, admonition, nurture, and practicality on a daily basis. The primary concern in their lives was not self-promotion, but self-denial. It was not a sense of following the latest parenting trends or fashions, but faithful insistence toward their children to follow the Lord and His Word. They saw themselves as stewards of their children, not owners, knowing that ultimately their relationship with Jesus matters more.
One of the best ways this is illustrated is in the story of Hannah. In 1 Samuel 1, we are introduced to this woman, who is the wife of a man named Elkanah. He had a second wife named Peninnah, who mocked Hannah for her infertility. This was so crushing to Hannah that she was even unable to eat and could only weep. Overcome with grief and sorrow, Hannah went to the temple to pour her heart out to the Lord. In verse nine the passage says, “9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”
The Bible says she was in bitterness of the soul, which is a phrase that Job uses when he wants to die in Job 3. This grief she is feeling is deep, scarring, and unbearable, which probably is what we would today call depression. And it is at her lowest point that she runs into the temple and cries out to the Lord. Hannah begs the Lord to remember her, to look upon her affliction. The Lord’s remembrance points to the attribute of God’s faithful love and mercy. The Lord is unchanging in His grace and mercy, and that is where Hannah finds her hope. She then makes a vow, if the Lord will give her a son, the child will be the Lord’s. And while she was praying, Levi, the priest, noticed her, and thought she was drunk. “12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunk. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long will thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, "Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight.”
She is so sorrowful that she cannot even form words to speak, but even in the midst of her sorrow and pain, she rested in the covenant faithfulness of God. And what is amazing is that the Lord hears her prayer! We get the first inkling of this in the response of Levi, who told her to go home in peace for the Lord would answer her request. This word peace calms the soul of Hannah, which is obvious in the next section. This also makes clear that the Lord heard her request, “So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. 20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.”
The Lord, in His faithfulness, answers the request of Hannah. Immediately, she gave honor and reverence to the Lord, calling him Samuel out of deference to him. And when he grew, Hannah immediately took him back to the temple, where she offered his services in the temple as an offering to the Lord. “24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there.”
While it is true that we don’t give our children to churches as indentured servants, the sentiment and heart behind this passage remains applicable. Samuel was the Lord’s, Hannah was a steward. And she completely realized that. What I love about this story is how broad the application goes.
First, its root in the faithfulness of God is a great comfort, because our hope does not rest in anything else other than the Lord! Mother’s Day can be especially hard for women who are struggling with infertility. The many hours of prayer, tears, depression, anxiety, can wear someone down almost to nothing. What is good to remember in this story is that the Lord would still be the same faithful God, even if he never answered Hannah’s prayer. From her example, it is clear that she saw the Lord as her portion, her eternal treasure, because He is the one she runs to first in her sorrow. Grief is not meant to be ripped out, but walked through in the presence of a faithful God. For those who want to be mothers, rest in this comfort and joy in the midst of your grief.
Second, for those who have been given the blessing of children, remember it is a blessing, not a right. It is a gift for you to manage, not own, for the Lord is your God. He is the true owner of our children, and that is to be our identity. Our authority as parents doesn’t come from us, it comes from God. Ultimately, we must answer to Jesus, and so do our children. It is for that reason I urge all to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Just as you would evaluate any other part of your walk with the Lord, use Mother’s Day to not only be grateful that you have the blessing of rearing children or revel in the honor you are due, but to examine your walk with your parenting. Is your parenting centered on you or Christ? And it is worth noting that being centered on Jesus is completely worth it, for He is so much more worthy of honor than any of us.
Finally, it calls everyone in the family to remember how valuable your legacy is. Grandparents, the legacy you leave behind with your grandchildren. Parents, you are teaching far more about Jesus every day to your children than you even realize. It is vastly important that everyone at every stage of life asks themselves how they are passing on their faith. One of my favorite memories is sitting in my Papa’s living room and hearing him and my Nana give devotionals. I treasure the little pieces of wisdom from not only my grandparents, but also my parents. It thrills my heart to see my wife doing the same to my daughter. These memories and people remind me that I must point my children to Christ. It reminds me to remember I am always training my children. And one day, Lord willing, my grandchildren.
So, in all, Happy Mother’s Day. Remember to honor your mom, thank her for her sacrifice, especially if she taught you about Christ. Further, remind yourself, no matter what, that God is faithful, and it is Him that we point our children to. Find comfort, rest, and strength in that fact, and enjoy the day of rest.
Serving Together,
Pastor Josh
