Mother's Make A Difference

Today is a special day…Mothers Day. Its special because we set aside this one day to honor and love our mothers the way we should the other 364 days of the year. Mothers are so kind, good, and compassionate. They have the ability to love us in a way that words often cannot express, and they give far more than they receive.

A teacher was trying to teach her class a lesson about fractions. After the lesson she tested one of the boys who was in a large family. Johnny, she said, There are 6 people in your family. Your mom bakes a pie, and she cuts it up for you, what percentage of the pie will you receive?

Johnny, thought for a minute and said, One-fifth. The teacher said, Now, remember there are 6 people in your family, how big would your piece of pie be. And again the boy said, One-fifth. The teacher said, No, you don’t understand fractions. And Johnny respectfully said, You don’t understand my mom. She would have said that she didn’t want any.

Have you ever heard that before…I don't want any? My wife says that all the time, in fact, sometimes she doesn’t even fix her plate for supper until she’s sure everyone else is taken care of.

Well, it’s because of the seen and unseen things that mother’s do, that I think we would all agree, “Mother’s Make A Difference.” This morning, we are going to look a Hannah, and see just how Hannah made a difference, and how mom’s today can gleen strength from her example knowing that they too, make a difference.

Paraphrase Hannah’s Story

1. Hannah’s Problem

Our text tells us that Hannah was grieving. She was barren and could not have a baby…so she had forced the love of her life into a sinful relationship. Polygamy has never been acceptable to God, more often than not, and even in this case it was man trying to solve his problem by taken matters into his own hands and taking another wife so that he would have an heir.

Hannah’s problem was not just about being barren, it was about her inability to fulfill her purpose, and in the midst of that difficult situation, the man of her life had children with another, who provoked her to make her miserable. Hannah’s response, humility. Her husband loved her in spite of her inability to have a child…God closed her womb. In fact, Elkanah loved her so much that he would give her a double portion of food…many believe that the text infers that he was giving her his food as a sign of affection. He was genuinely concerned for her…in v. 8 he asks her the problem, because just like most men, he wants to fix it. But guys, sometimes we cant fix it, sometimes we need to be the humble ones and just be supportive.

I doubt there is a Mother in the church today that hasn't had a problem that has grieved them and really burdened them. Its likely that since its mothers day that problem is sitting next to you…not your husband, your children. There has probably been times that you have worried yourself sick over your children. Hannah’s worried her and she hadn't even conceived yet… she was burdened. When you get like that your husbands cannot fix it, but your Jesus can!

Hannah’s Prayer

Look at verse 9…Hannah prayed. She was so burdened that she prayed…found herself a little spot by a doorpost of the tabernacle, and just began praying…and Eli the priest, being the unspiritual man that he is…not even having his home in order, accuses her of being drunk.

There are a few things to note in relation to Hannah and her prayer.

First, this wasn't a prayer based on her need to satisfy herself, or get things to turn out the way she wanted them. It was a prayer for her to be able to fulfill her purpose.

She wasn’t looking for attention from Elkanah, she wasn’t looking for vengeance for Penninah, she prayed in quietness near the tabernacle.

The very thing that Hannah was asking God for was the very thing she was willing to sacrifice.

She prayed from the depths of her soul…it was a precious time set between her and the Lord, that she would communicate her heart to the Lord, and the Lord her her heart.

The very thing that Hannah was asking God for was the very thing she was willing to sacrifice. It wasn't about her…it was a prayer that would glorify God.

“Raise up a generation, Lord that will take light into this world. That will not compromise under pressure that will not cower when others fall away. Raise them up, Lord; that they will proclaim that there is salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. Raise up warriors who will fight on their knees, who will worship You with their whole hearts. Lord, call us to battle, that we may proclaim You King of kings and Lord of lords!”

Finally, it was a prayer that set an example… for Elkanah, for Penninah, and for Eli.

In the movie “War Room” not long ago there was an older spiritual lady Mrs. Clara, that was teaching a younger women how to pray with power. In her prayer Mrs. Clara prayed similar to what Hannah did.

Mrs. Clara prayed for a generation, as did Hannah…and Hannah contributed to the generation. Samuel would take the light into the world…Samuel did not compromise under pressure, Samuel life was a life proclaiming the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Application: Mom’s, let me encourage you today not to be defined by your problem’s…Problems are a part of life, they really aren’t the issue

Hannah’s Passion

Hannah was passionate about fulfilling her call to be a mother. This was not about her having a child that she could rear for the rest of her life, this was about her fulfilling the purpose that God had called her to. This was about her heart to please God with a sacrifice greater than any other… to give the Lord her child as a living sacrifice, without regret, without sorrow, without bitterness. Her passion was to dedicate her child’s life to the Lord.

Today, we have a young couple that is also passionate about dedicating their child to the Lord.

Church Family, Brett and Kristen come acknowledging and professing their dependance on the Lord to raise their daughter, Olive Marie. Dedicating her to the Lord and committing to raise her in a godly environment.

If extended family would like to stand in honor of the commitment being made here today by these parents, please do so now, as we begin to read the vows of commitment.

Dedication Vows to Parents:

1) Brett and Kristen, do you come professing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

2) Do you come to dedicate yourselves to the biblical instruction, discipline, and love of this child?

3) Do you come to dedicate Olive Marie Lancaster into the ultimate control and will of God through the Lord Jesus Christ?

Dedication of Vows to Church:

1) Do you church, agree to support these Brett and Kristen by your example and through acts of service; and do you agree to reinforce the biblical instruction, discipline and love of this child under the supreme rule of the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, signify by standing.

Children, husbands and church family…I want you now to take your mothers by the hand… or put your arms around them as we prepare to sing our invitational. If you would like to bring your mother here to the altar as we begin to pray…if you would like to bring your wife…your grandmother…come and in a few moments I am going to pray for our mothers collectively…and for little Mrs. Olive Marie.

After Hannah committed Samuel to the Lord…she cried, “My heart rejoices in the Lord”

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