My Mom's Influence

My mother had a very strong influence upon my decision to become a pastor. I've sometimes wondered if I even made a conscious decision. It was like I always knew that was my calling. You see, from the time I was a tiny child, I remember her telling me that she prayed the Hannah prayer:

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." - 1Sam 1:11 ESV

G van den Eeckhout -Hannah  presenting Samuel

My Mom's firstborn died in childbirth. I was her second born and her pelvic region was damaged in giving birth. The doctors told her she could never bear another. In thanks for her only son she promised to dedicate his life to the LORD. So, as I said, she and my Dad did everything they could to direct my life toward the vocation I've known all my life. And for this I have ever been thankful.

There are many Biblical studies about motherhood on the Internet. Here's a sampling:

Mothers in the Bible - 8 Blessed Mothers in the Bible Who Served God Well
These mothers lived in an age when women were often treated as second class citizens, yet God appreciated their true worth, just as he does today. Motherhood is one of life's highest callings. Learn how these eight mothers in the Bible put their hope in the God of the Impossible, and how he proved that such hope is always well-placed.

• Includes studies of  Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Jochebed (Moses' mother), Hannah, Bathsheba, Elizabeth and Jesus' mother Mary.

11 Bible verses about Motherhood

• Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her - Proverbs 31:28 ESV
• And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. - Titus 2:4-5 ESV
• Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. - Proverbs 19:18 ESV
• For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11 ESV 
• When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. - John 19:26-27 ESV 
• Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him - Proverbs 13:24 ESV
• Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. - Proverbs 23:22-25 - ESV
• O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. - Psalm 139:1-24  ESV 
• Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. - Genesis 32:11 ESV

The Majesty of Motherhood - Motherhood is undoubtedly one of the most complex and exacting callings in life. A poll among women revealed overwhelming agreement that raising children properly requires as much intelligence and drive as holding a top position in business or government. And that task falls mainly on mother’s shoulders for the first six years of the child’s life. Even after that, her contacts with the children will of necessity be more frequent and prolonged than dad’s. While dad is the leader in the house, mother sets the tone. The hours her children spend in her presence will have a lasting influence on their lives. They will become largely what she makes them. She faces the noble challenge of molding their young lives for eternity. Motherhood is one of life’s highest honors, and one of its heaviest responsibilities.