A Mother's Heart

Mothers are exceptional creatures, aren't they? There are Mama Bears, who will destroy anyone or anything that threatens their cubs, with one swipe of a strong paw. There are Mama Wolves, who will chew off their own leg if their pups are in danger. Mama Birds will push their young out of the nest when its time.

Human mothers seem to combine all three.

Mothers will do anything for their children, except give them up. Right?

A woman is Scripture did just that.

* * *

Hannah had the misfortune of sharing a husband. Peninnah had children and lorded it over Hannah, because Hannah did not. In that culture, several thousand years ago, children were a blessing, and if you didn't have children, you were ostracized and ridiculed. Hannah desperately wanted children, probably for a variety of reasons, and she prayed diligently.

She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.” 1 Samuel 1: 10-11

God answered her prayer. Now, me -- I probably would have forgotten my vow about two seconds after I counted 10 fingers and 10 toes. Not Hannah.

She didn't return to the Temple right away. 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.” 1 Samuel : 22

But when the boy, Samuel, was weaned, she took him to the Temple and left him there in the care of the priests. I imagine this is somewhat like leaving your child with the monks or nuns in the Middle Ages.

She loved him so much that she dedicated his life to God.

* * *

Our culture doesn't allow for dropping your child on the church's doorstep, to be raised by strangers. But today's moms don't love their children any less.

With every kissed boo-boo, shed tear, and late night prayer, your mom has loved you as much as Hannah loved Samuel, the Bear loves her cubs, and the Wolf loves her pups.

I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!