These words were spotted on a church marquee for a Mother’s Day sermon,

"If evolution is true, how come mothers still have only two hands?"

For all the amazing moms who have had more sleepless nights than they wish to remember to care for an ailing child, or wrestle with little ones to get them dressed and ready for school, or have had to reheat a cup of coffee four times before drinking it, Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a pretty significant day because it is the one day when the world stops and thanks moms for what they do 365 days of the year. It’s a day set aside to honor the moms who raised us, as well as, celebrate the moms who raise children of their own. And yes, Hallmark, floral boutiques and chocolate companies are predicted to make a killing this year in the likes of $23.1 billion, but deservedly so.

Moms wear multiple hats. They do more than we know. I found this pretty funny page of a mother’s job description. Take a look when you get a chance. And the possibility for advancement in this job: virtually none. ☺

However, as I write this, I realize that “what mother means to me” is different for everyone. We’ve all had varied experiences. The term “mom” conjures up all sorts of emotions. Many of us have known some pretty unbelievable and wonderful moms who sacrificed everything for their children. And then there are some who have never known their moms or have had moms who were less than a model example.

Some are moms and grandmothers, sometimes by choice, but never an accident (the way God sees it). And others, wish to be moms, but have never been and perhaps, can never be. We all come from different life experiences and walks of life. Each story is unique.

This is not an “I know how you feel” OR an “everything is going to turn out fine” blog. It is, hopefully, a “looking around the room” blog that helps us in caring for one another and an opportunity to hear one another and our stories about our parents, or of motherhood or of something entirely different.

There’s a lesser known figure in the Old Testament by the name of Hannah who was childless and barren. All we know of her is found in two chapters in the book of 1 Samuel. Her name is found nowhere else in the Bible. She struggled with infertility and it didn’t help that those around her would provoke her because of this. This would cause her to weep and not eat. She lived in a culture in which childbearing was the sole reason for a woman’s existence. However, even in the midst of this struggle, she prayed. Two prayers are recorded in these two chapters.

If you don’t mind, I’d like to share a couple of observations from the text.

First, she prays: “O LORD Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you.” (1:11) I think the key word is “if”. She acknowledges who is ultimately in control. She recognizes that she can’t change the outcome of her situation, nor her husband, nor any other. Ultimately, it is the Lord Almighty who is in control.

Hannah realized that God’s purposes are greater than hers. What we have, we have because of God’s hand. She recognizes that whatever she receives from the Lord is a gift. One of my favorite authors: Charles Swindoll says this, “Acceptance is taking from God’s hand absolutely anything He chooses to give us, looking up into His face in love and trust- even in thanksgiving- and knowing that the confines of the hedge within which He has placed us are good, even perfect, however, painful they may be, simply because He has given them.”

Second, there is something that Elkanah, Hannah’s husband, knew better than she did. I don’t want to go on record as saying that men are always right. It’s quite the opposite, men are right once in a while. And in this story, Elkanah was right about Hannah and about the way God sees us. She saw herself as a worthless woman who could not bear children. But it’s Elkanah, on the other hand, who says to his wife, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” (1:8) Hannah was of greater worth than the sons she could bear. And God saw her in the same way. A woman’s worth comes not from her marital status or the children she bears, but on the One being reflected. A woman’s worth comes from the One who made her and gave her life. It is that divine image that gives worth to a human being. Imagery leads to dignity. God created women in His own image and likeness, which means that women have worth equal to men.

Third, if you are a mom, which Hannah eventually became, thank God for the wonderful gift of children. Hannah’s desire was to become a mother. And she did. She became the recipient of God’s favor and answer to prayer. Before we go any farther, I feel led to say that God does not always answer the prayers of a barren couple in the way He did Hannah’s. But what I do know is that God is good. For Hannah, I believe she understood this. She received it as a gift that she could not earn or accomplish on her own. How do I know that Hannah believed this? She said if you give me a child, I will give Him right back. For Hannah, it was a clarification of ownership. The child you give is not mine, but yours, God.

Happy Mother’s Day, whatever that may mean for you. Thank God for the moms whom God chose to give life and bring us into the world. Pray for mothers-to-be and difficult decisions that need to be made. Pray for mothers and children who may be abusive situations. Pray for strength and wisdom for single moms raising children alone. Pray for those who provide care for an aging parent. Pray for open doors and opportunities to minister to those in need.