Five Marks of a Great Mother – the Story of Hannah

By: Edward Cortez

 

The story of Hannah in the Old Testament is an excellent illustration of what a great and wonderful mother looks like. She was one of the two wives of a man named Elkanah in the Bible. God never sanctions polygamy or bigamy, but it was the custom of that time, especially in the East. Hannah had one big dilemma—she was without children. The book of Samuel states simply, “Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.” Her story is found in 1 Samuel, chapters 1 and 2.

Being barren and being unable to conceive could cause enormous distress to a wife back then as it was often associated with a negative social stigma. This was sufficient reason for the husband to divorce her. The woman was always to be blamed. Hannah was made fun of, mocked, and made miserable by the other woman—Peninnah. The first mark of a great mother is that her character is forged through hardship and distress. Great mothers are born out of adversity.

Hannah never retaliated despite the mockeries she received from Peninnah. She never blamed her husband for her condition. Hannah’s name means “a woman of grace.” This story gives us the second mark of a great mother: she is full of grace. Her experiences turned her into a woman of faith, resilience, and grace. She only expressed her anguish to the Lord and never created any problems in the family.

There is one notable aspect that stands out in the story of Hannah. It is evident that she was a praying mother. The book of Samuel records that, “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord…” (1 Samuel 1:10). Great mothers are praying mothers. This quality is the third mark of a great mother. Abraham Lincoln once said, “My mother’s prayers have followed me wherever I went; they have clung to me all my life.”

The time came when God opened the womb of Hannah due to her persistent faith and prayers. The Bible says that the Lord remembered her and she became pregnant (1 Samuel 1:19, 20). Hannah delighted in God’s provisions and honored the Lord by offering Samuel in His service. The fourth mark of a great mother is that she honors the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 states, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there.” Fast, Easy, and the Lowest Flooring Prices, Period®With Refloor, you get:INSTALLATIONFINANCING0%Plus!Special OfferFREECall Now! 888-299-6281®®

The fifth and last mark of a great mother is that she is a worshipper. Hannah worshipped the Lord. Here’s her beautiful worship: “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2). As a result, Hannah was rewarded with many more children. Here’s how her story ended, “And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.” (1 Samuel 2:21). Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers!