1 Samuel 1:19-23 New American Standard Bible 1995
Samuel Is Born to Hannah
19 Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah [a]had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 It came about [b]in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.”
21 Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and stay there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best [c]to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
A Message to Hannah … I See You This Mother’s Day!
In the days of Elkanah, Peninnah, and Hannah, polygamy was acceptable.
Also in those days a woman’s worth was measured mainly by how many sons she had.
As the years crawled by and Hannah remained infertile, her sorrow grew.
But her pain made fertile soil for spiritual growth.
She prayed fervently.
Many people find that their deepest trials draw them closer to God.
Hannah learned that God is the one to whom all people and all things belong.
One day Hannah was praying so intensely that when a man of God, Eli, saw her, he thought she was drunk.
He ordered her to get rid of her wine.
But she had not been drinking.
She said to him, “I was pouring out my soul to the Lord… I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
Then Eli encouraged her and said, “Go in peace.”
“In the course of time” little Samuel was born to Hannah and Elkanah.
Because Samuel was a gift of God, Hannah dedicated him to the service of the Lord.
He became one of the most faithful leaders of God’s people.
Infertility still cuts deep into the lives of many couples.
This story does not promise that all infertile couples will have children.
It does reassure us that those who stay close to the heart of God in the their pain and pray for the face of God will see God work things out for his good purpose.
God’s 2024 Message To Our Hannah Moms: “Surely, As I saw Hannah, I See You This Mother’s Day too!”
1 Samuel 1:19-23 Complete Jewish Bible
19 They got up early in the morning and worshipped before Adonai, then returned and came to their house in Ramah.
Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah his wife, and Adonai remembered her. 20 She conceived; and in due time she gave birth to a son, whom she named Sh’mu’el, “because I asked Adonai for him.”
21 The husband, Elkanah, went up with all his household to offer the yearly sacrifice to Adonai and fulfill his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, explaining to her husband, “Not till the child has been weaned. Then I will bring him, so that he can appear before Adonai and live there forever.” 23 Her husband Elkanah answered her, “Do what seems good to you; stay here until you have weaned him. Only may Adonai bring about what he said.” So the woman stayed behind and nursed the child, until she weaned him.
Mother’s Day is today, and in the name of our Savior, I want to say “I see you, and more importantly, God sees you. He honors the important work you are doing.”
I see you, Momma-To-Be…
As you are waiting, expecting, and anticipating this whole new world to come.
May the joy of the Lord be your strength. May you know that God is with you and God will touch you as you help to usher miraculous new life into this world. Your strength is impressive and miraculous. Your ability to co-create with God is beyond stunning.
I see you, Expectant Momma…
Who feels unsure, unwell, unready, scared of how to bring life into the world.
Would our strong God equip you with all you need to mother his Creation. Would God’s supernatural provision be for you a significant part of your story. Would you know that every child is made in the image of God. He will guide you on this journey and help you even in the moments that feel so heavy you surely think you may break.
I see you, Birth Momma…
As you wonder, miss, pray, and grieve this Mother’s Day.
God sees your heart. God upholds, strengthens, your heart. He is there to care for all your children, even as they are growing up with another mother that also loves them. Giving the gift of life is an amazing gift. Your willingness to love a child by carrying, nurturing them in your body and giving birth is so noble. Your motherhood matters.
I see you, Grieving-Yet-Hopeful Mother…
Wishing, watching, waiting, worshiping, pondering, praying, persevering for the day, that by God’s grace, you get to join the ranks of Mothers that came before you.
God knows the deepest desires of your heart and is close to you as you walk through those disappointments, medical appointments, loss, and waiting.
May God give you strength and purpose as you walk this tough road. May God remind you that you are so valuable just as you are. No matter what the future holds for you and your family you are strong, beautiful, and God loves you.
I see you, Mom-Who-Has-Lost…
Miscarriage… the loss of a child before their time… stillborn, seeing a child slip away to tumultuous waves, storms or lifestyle choices… other losses that burden your soul.
The God of all comfort is with you always. God is there to hold your hand, God is there to uphold. May God whisper his sustaining love into your ears, may you know you are never alone even when life feels heavier than your soul can bear.
I see you, Foster Mother…
As you stand in the gap for children and families who are in need of support.
As God heard, remembered Hannah, captured all of her tears in a bottle, God sees your love, your prayers, and your sacrifice. He knows you are so attached and loves your willingness to pour out your life for the sake of the least of these around you. May He give you the strength and wisdom you need to walk this stretching road.
I see you, Single, Separated, Divorced Momma…
As you try to meet so many needs all on your own.
May God bring a supportive community around you that steps in to offer you all their prayers, friendship and material support you need on your mothering journey. Would you’ll know that you are doing good and meaningful work. You are strong, beautiful, capable, and by all your prayers, may God give you wisdom for each and every day.
I see you, Empty-Nesting-Momma…
As you do the work of letting go of the little birds you sacrificed everything for, poured every resource of your life into, with hopes they would one day soar.
May you one day delight in seeing how your sacrificial investment into your children is now producing beautiful fruit in their lives. In due time and in the seasons to come, Would you know too that there is true purpose and truest joy to be found in this new season. That evolving, changing, letting go, gives way to God’s guidance to new life.
I see you, New-Oh-So-Tired-Momma…
As you wonder how much more you can give before you actually give out.
May God bring you His supernatural rest this Mother’s Day. Remember, this too shall pass. Allow, permit yourself, the grace to find rest, without carrying that sneaky Mom guilt. Mom, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Breaks are required to do this job well.
I see you, Adoptive Mom…
As you went through the long and expensive process of adoption, as you love so fiercely, as you look upon a child you did not give birth, and wonder if your love is going to be enough, if you are going to be strong enough, courageous enough and bold enough, able enough, to raising them, doing this adoption thing well.
Would God give you the knowledge and wisdom you need to navigate the triad of your adoptee, their first family, and your home. Would you have peace to know that even when your love isn’t enough, God is! He is the healer of our wounds and the keeper of our children. He promises them a hope and a future. God’s got you!
I see you, Kinship Care Momma…
As you love and care for children you never expected to care for as your own.
Your courage and willingness to step up for the children in your family or community is miraculously beautiful. May God be with you in this utmost challenging, sacrificial role. Would God, through His presence. strengthen you when the work feels heavy.
I see you, Stepmom…
As you work to create a home that blends different stories into one unit.
In His time, Would God make something beautiful in your home. May he do abundantly more than you could ask or ever imagine, on your family’s behalf.
To all the mothers out there; no matter your story, loss, place on this journey, if you feel like you are rocking it at this job or if you feel like you are failing or are a failure … The eternally beautiful truth is God sees you upholds and loves you!
Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9-10The Message
9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
The work of motherhood is good work.
Don’t give up.
The reward is one that is counted in sweet tender embraces, in milestones met, through forgiveness, grace, lessons learned, and memories made.
Motherhood is a lifetime of prayers, sacrifice, service, unconditional love, apologies, growth, tears, laughter, joy, worship of God and so much more.
Please remember this Mother’s Day, that Isaiah 40:11 says,
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
Isaiah 40:11 Amplified Bible
11
He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.
The God who comforts and guides is faithful to lead you on this wild journey.
Momma, always Celebrate God as God always Celebrates You!
Everyone else, always Celebrate Momma as God always Celebrates Her!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
“Dear Lord, on this day dedicated to celebrating and honoring You, honoring and celebrating mothers, we thank You for the blessings of motherhood. We are grateful for our mothers’ love, strength, and guidance in the shaping our lives. Guide them and Bless them all with joy, peace, and love on this special day and always. Amen.”
Psalm 139:13-18 Complete Jewish Bible
13 For you fashioned my inmost being,
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I thank you because I am awesomely made,
wonderfully; your works are wonders —
I know this very well.
15 My bones were not hidden from you
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes could see me as an embryo,
but in your book all my days were already written;
my days had been shaped
before any of them existed.
17 God, how I prize your thoughts!
How many of them there are!
18 If I count them, there are more than grains of sand;
if I finish the count, I am still with you.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 