A Mother's Day Remembered

1 Samuel 1:26-28

26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday. As I reflect on past Mother's Days I think often of my childhood and growing up under the loving care of my mother. Sadly, this Mother's Day will be one that will only be in my memories, for she has gone home to be with Lord this past October.

I am not sure how much my mother prayed, but I have to know in my heart she did pray. Though it was not evident to me and my siblings, as this was perhaps a more private matter for my mother. Yet, I believe she prayed, and prayed for her children's lives like any good mother would.

In our text above we see a woman, barren and unable to bear children, who was married to a husband of another woman who was able bear children for him. Poor Hannah felt a tremendous pain of not being able to give her husband child. In those days barren women were considered low class in the family order.

But Hannah prayed fervently to the Lord and asked for a son, and pledged to give her son to the Lord. Eli, a priest, thought she was drunk on wine as he watched her praying. But Hannah assured him she was not drunk, and that she was actually praying to Lord and asking for a son. Eli told her that the Lord has heard her petition and willl grant this request because of her faith.

Again, I have never seen my mother pray, except in church. But I cannot believe that she would not pray. How and when she did pray, I do not know. All I know is my mother was a godly and dedicated woman, and though she is gone from our presence, the memories of her and the Mother's Day past still linger in my heart.