Mothers-A Godly Heritage Series

Mothers – A Godly Heritage

-Love in Action-

I Samuel 1:1-18, 27

Today we give special honor to our mothers. Children were asked to answer questions and make comments about their mothers.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men’s bones. Then they mostly use string. I think.

What kind of little girl was your Mom?

1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

“I love my mom because she let me get a dog and then she let me sleep with it. I hope she lives forever.” Aden, Age 8

“My mama is the best mama in the world. She lets me share the chocolates in her lamp table drawer. She reads to me, and we sit on the porch swing together.” Brenna Age 6

“I love my mom cause she lets me read my book under the covers with a flashlight and gives me lots of chances to pick up my toys.” Ethan Age 7

“My Mom – Nice, beautiful and pretty as a butterfly. That’s my mom. Clever as a whale warm as a fuzzy bear. That’s my mom. Soft as a pillow. She laughs like an angel. That’s my mom. Caring, cool, and clever. She’s the best! That’s my mom!” Jonathan, Age 8

The Bible has many references to women of faith who contributed to making the world a better place to live.

After passing through the Red Sea, it was Miriam who led the people in their rejoicing, saying, “Sing, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea.” NLT

Ruth put God first and as a result became part of the family of King David.

Deborah was one of the judges of Israel.

Queen Ester took her life in her hands to plead for her doomed people.

A widow’s obedience to God’s command sustained the prophet Elijah, “For no matter how much they used, there was always enough left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.” (I Kings 17:16)

A young captive maid told the wife of Naaman about the man of God who would cure Naaman of his leprosy.

A woman’s grateful love caused her to break an alabaster box and pour precious ointment on Jesus’ head.

A woman’s thankfulness caused her to wash the Master’s feet with her tears and to wipe His feet with her hair.

Mary, blessed among women, gave birth to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Mary Magdalene, bringing spice to anoint Jesus, first greeted the risen Lord and received the first commission: “Go tell.” (John 20:17)

I’m drawn to the story of Hannah, a godly mother who became the mother of the prophet Samuel. I like the story of Hannah because Hannah reminds me of my mother. My Mother had some of the same attributes as Hannah. Just as Hannah left a godly heritage for her family, my mother also left a godly heritage. We note several characteristics of Hannah that makes her a good model for other mothers.

I. Hannah was Devoted to the Lord

In her devotion to the Lord Hannah was a woman of prayer. She did not give up on prayer when she did not receive quick answers. For years Hannah had prayed to become pregnant and have a child. When she traveled every year with her husband, Elkanah and his other wife Peninnah to Shiloh to worship the Lord she made it a matter of special prayer to ask God for a child.

Parents may not have all the answers, but they can pray for their children.

# I remember a time when my mother used prayer as discipline. My Dad was gone most of the time so mother had the responsibility of disciplining her son and daughter. On one occasion my sister and I were outside fighting out of control. Mother tried to get us to stop to no avail. Mother went into the house and when my sister and I finally came to our senses and went inside we found mother kneeling at the sofa in prayer. She was praying that God would speak to her children and help her to be a good mother. Her payers got our attention and we made a greater effort to get along.

Hannah remained positive when surrounded by a negative atmosphere. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. Year after year when they traveled to the Tabernacle for prayer Peninnah tormented Hannah and made fun of her because of Hannah’s misfortune to have no children. For a Hebrew mother to have no children was a disgrace. Because of the taunting Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not eat.