Bob Beck/Robert’s Ramblings
And Hannah made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
But Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.”
– Samuel 1: 11 and 2: 18-19
For Mother’s Day we can find many stories in the Bible that tell us of a mother’s love. I have chosen the story of Hannah, a barren woman who prayed to God for a son, and then, in gratitude, dedicated her first son to God’s service.
My mother, on the other hand, was blessed with four sons without God’s intervention, but still, with great diligence, trained my brothers and I to follow God.
My mother taught Sunday school for preschool and grade school for many years when I was a child. My friends and I would gather around as she and the other teachers taught us the stories from the Bible, including that of Hannah and Samuel. We were taught many life lessons during those years, and were rewarded with homemade ribbon bookmarks when we memorized Bible verses. The education for my brothers and I included many other life lessons: how to properly treat others (especially if they were female), how to accept others of different cultures, skin color or disability. We learned how to darn socks and mend tears, and each of us knew how to cook and launder our clothes before we went off to college. My father also made sure that each of us knew how to recycle and repair things. They had both grown up during the Great Depression and felt these skills were essential. Some of my favorite Mom memories are from my high school years.
I was involved in sports throughout the year, so I would get home late from school. I would get a glass of milk and sit at the kitchen table and Mom and I would talk as she finished preparations for dinner.
Many of us in our aging congregation have fond memories of our parents, and there are others that have their mothers still living. I challenge each of us to offer a prayer, and spend Mother’s Day in thanksgiving with our Mothers.
In gratitude to my Mom.
Bob Beck is Commander of VFW Post 4039 and a lay leader at his church.