Hello, Mama

Back in my high school years gospel singer Squire Parsons wrote and recorded a song called "Hello, Mama." The song was about a real life experience that had been shared with Squire. He encountered a young man who had been reared in a godly home, but who had wandered from God and had joined a motorcycle gang. Throughout his years of wandering his mother never stopped praying for him. One night, while traveling down a country road, the Spirit of God overcame the rebelliousness in this young man's soul and brought about repentance and salvation in the young man's life. The wandering rebel surrendered his life to Christ and immediately went to the telephone to call his mother and give her the good news.

I know that many mothers today are at their wit's end. There are so many struggles facing mom's today. I volunteer in a local school for a few hours each week and see the damage that has been done to many children due to the breakdown of the family. While some of the rebellious children likely come from dysfunctional homes, I am sure that some come from homes where the parents are truly trying to do their best. Our society has created a economic situation that requires most moms to work and spend time away from their children. The struggle to survive economically, to bring up children who are respectfuly, to properly educate their children, and the constant spiritual battles that godly moms face today can beat down the best of mothers. What is the solution?

Do what this godly mother did in Squire's song and do what Hannah, a young mother in ancient Israel did in 1 Samuel 2. Call on God in prayer. Pour out your heart to Him. Cry in desperation. He will hear you. He will meet you need.

Praying Hannah

1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to theLord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.[a] 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “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?”

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (1 Samuel 2:1-10, ESV)