When the heart aches on Mother’s Day

1 Samuel 1:1-19

Mother’s Day is a cherished occasion celebrated worldwide to honour and appreciate mothers and maternal figures for their unwavering love, sacrifices, and contributions to families and society. It serves as a dedicated time to express gratitude and affection, recognizing the pivotal role mothers play in nurturing and shaping lives.

Celebrations typically involve family gatherings, giving of cards, flowers, and gifts, and other expressions of love and appreciation. These gestures not only make mothers feel valued but also strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories. Moreover, acknowledging mothers' efforts contributes to their emotional well-being, promoting a sense of fulfilment and happiness in their vital role.

While Mother's Day is a time of joy and celebration for many, it's also important to recognize that it can be a difficult day for some, even traumatic for others. Those who have lost their mothers, those who are experiencing infertility, or for some who have strained relationships with their children. 

In the Bible, Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1 mirrors such heartaches. She was a woman deeply distressed by her inability to conceive, enduring not only personal sorrow but also societal shame and misunderstanding. 

The Bible tells us that Hannah endured pain because of the situation she was in.  “The Lord closed her womb”. Can you imagine how painful that can be? Imagine when she sees other mothers with children but she is barren and at an age when it seems impossible to conceive again. “Why is God against me”

She also had to endure the pain from people who misjudged her. She was seen as a rival to Peninnah and “her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat” (1 Samuel 1:7). Penniah was the second wife of Elkanah and she bore many children. But Hannah, the wife was barren. Peninnah's taunts surely pierced Hannah's soul like poisoned arrows, embedding themselves deep within her already wounded heart. She could not eat. Sometimes our own family members can be our greatest source of pain and sorrow. 

But worst, the high priest, who was supposed to intercede on her behalf, misunderstood her. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine (1 Samuel 1:13-14). Sadly, sometimes even our own church folks or "spiritual christians" can be a bitter hinderance to our lives. “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him (Titus 1:16). We have many who wear the “Christan hat” on Sundays but no different from the world on every other day. That is a sad reality.

But that is not the end of the story. Yet, in her anguish, Hannah turned to God, pouring out her soul with honesty and faith. Her prayers were not in vain; God heard her, and in time, blessed her with a son, Samuel.

But to me that is not the real miracle. The real miracle is in 1 Samuel 1:18 - Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 

The true miracle occurs when, after pouring out her soul to God in prayer, Hannah experiences a change in demeanour. She hasn't yet conceived a child, but she found peace and is able to eat, her face no longer downcast. This shift signifies a deep trust in God's plan and a release of her burdens to Him . You may not get what you desired but the fact that you realise that God is in control, that you can face the difficult situation and still have peace and joy in your heart and rise up above the situation, that’s the real miracle. 

This transformation illustrates that the real miracle isn't always the fulfilment of our desires but the peace that comes from entrusting our burdens to God.  As one commentary notes, "Hannah went on her way 'and her face was no longer sad' because the great burden she had been carrying year after year she laid down in God's hands." 

Hannah's experience teaches us that even when our external situations remain unchanged, we can find solace and joy through faith. By surrendering our deepest longings and fears to God, we open ourselves to His peace, which transcends understanding. This inner tranquillity enables us to navigate life's challenges with hope and resilience.

In essence, the true miracle lies in the transformation of our hearts—finding peace and joy not necessarily from changed circumstances but from a changed perspective rooted in trust in God's sovereignty.

Hannah's journey teaches us that in our most vulnerable moments, turning to God with our pain can lead to profound transformation. Her story is a testament to the power of persistent prayer and unwavering faith, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

For those who find Mother's Day challenging, take comfort in knowing that God sees your pain and hears your prayers. Like Hannah, may you find solace in His presence and hope in His promises. Come to the cross. Lay every care and worry and rise up to a new you with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart weighed down by unfulfilled desires and unanswered prayers. Like Hannah, I have poured out my soul, yearning for a sign, a change, a miracle.

Yet, even as I wait, I choose to trust in Your perfect timing and sovereign will. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Help me find peace not in the fulfilment of my desires, but in the assurance of Your presence. Let my countenance be uplifted, not because my circumstances have changed, but because I rest in the knowledge that You are with me.

Teach me to find joy in the journey, to embrace each day with hope, and to trust that even in silence, You are working all things for my good.

May my faith be strengthened, my hope renewed, and my heart filled with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

In Jesus' name, I pray. 

Amen.