May 8, 2011

5-8-11 Sunday, 8:15 am Arcadia California, 57 degrees, raining

It is mothers day, and today as a family we have the privilege of being together for the day, following Bethany's graduation last night. We will share breakfast together here at the hotel, then church at Bethany's church, lunch with her voice teacher Pat, then the afternoon with my cousins Garry and Joyce.

I Samuel 1

Hannah is childless and prays that if God gives her a child, she will dedicate him completely to the Lord. Eli the priests mistakes her angony and silent prayer, thinking she is drunk. When she clarifies with him her pain and her prayer, he tells here that her prayer will be answered. And within the year she conceives and gives birth to a baby boy and names him Samuel.

As the time of the next trip to Shiloh to worship the Lord rolled around, she determined to stay home until the child was weaned. Her husband concurred stating "let God complete what He has begun."

On this mothers day Hannah stands out in special ways to me. The agony of being barren was overwhelming. Her husband's other wife (with many children) was cruel to her. God gave her a son, whom she dedicated completely to the service of God. Her husbands confirms her approach to raising the child with the clear understanding the God is at work, and in partnership with this mother will complete what he has begun.

As our two children are now young adults, I continue, along with Audrey, to trust and believe that God is completing in their lives what He has begun. This morning I am thankful for my family, and praying for the family of faith at Wesley and the work that God is completing among the congregation. I am especially conscious of the ones in pain this morning, like Hannah was, and who come to the place of worship hoping that God will provide what they need. Guide me today Lord as I serve You alone, and trust that You will complete what You have begun in my life.