Mothers-A Godly Heritage Series

In our marriage Carollyn and I are committed to building a trust relationship. There are some things I refuse to do in ministry. I will not ride alone in the car with another woman unless a third person is along. I will not go out to lunch alone with another woman unless my wife or someone else is along.

Once trust is broken it is a rugged mountain to climb back to the top. By the grace of God it is possible, but it usually takes time and a demonstration of trust over a long time period.

My mother trusted the Lord. Even thought my dad was unfaithful to their marriage relationship, my mother was faithful. Thought married my mother was like a single parent when it came to spiritual life in our family. She went to church alone and took her children with her. Her life was a testimony of God grace and keeping power.

Mothers and Fathers trust in the Lord with all your heart and learn not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge the Lord and He will direct your paths. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) When you have that trust in your heart and home you will leave a Godly Heritage to your children.

Hannah was devoted to the Lord – a woman of prayer. Hannah trusted the Lord.

III. Hannah Gave Sacrificially to the Lord

God gave Hannah a boy, she named him Samuel, in Hebrew the name means, “Asked of God” or “Heard of God.” For three years she cared for the baby until he was old enough for Hannah to take him to the Tabernacle to live with Eli.

For three years Hannah faithfully parented her only son, Samuel. At the end of three years she took her young son to the temple to become an intern Priest with Eli.

Can you imagine how Hannah cared and prayed for her only son. At the end of three years she kept her promise and took him to the Tabernacle. Her mother’s heart probably longed to keep her son and watch him grow up as a teenager and young adult. She would have enjoyed attending his marriage and having grandchildren. She kept her promise and gave sacrificially to the Lord.

Then on a yearly basis Hannah visited her son and took him a small coat she had sewed for him. Hannah gave hear son her most precious gift. She gave herself.

The story is told of a mother of a large family of children who was remarkably successful in her training. Her secret, she gave herself. She said, “When my children were young I thought the very best thing I could do for them was to give them myself. So I spared no pains to talk with them to teach them, and be a loving companion and friend to my children. I had to neglect my house many times. I had no time to indulge myself in many things which I should have liked to do. I was so busy adorning their minds and cultivating their hearts’ best affections, that I could not adorn their bodies in find clothes, through I kept them neat and comfortable at all times.

I have my reward now. My sons are ministers of the gospel, and my grown-up daughter is a lovely Christian woman. I have plenty of time now to rest, plenty of time to keep my house in perfect order, plenty of time to indulge myself in many ways, besides going about my Master’s business, whenever He has need of me. I have a thousand beautiful memories of their childhood to comfort me. Now that they have gone out into the world, I have the sweet consciousness of having done all I could do to make them ready for whatever work God calls them to do. I gave them the best I could, myself.”