Truth

1 Samuel opens with the story of Hannah who devoted her child, Samuel, to the service of the Lord. She honored the Lord more than her precious child. Ironically this story is followed by another parent with not so noble parenting skills. Eli, the priest of God, was a parent of two “corrupt” sons who “did not know the Lord.” (1 Samuel 2:12) Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD… (1 Samuel 2:17)

I was stunned as I read the story. Not only was God angry with the actions of Eli’s sons, but he was angry with Eli. (1 Samuel 2:26-36) In 1 Samuel 2:22-25, Eli tried talking to his two sons, but they would not listen to him. Sometimes when my children have done wrong, I have talked to them as Eli did. So what’s so wrong with that? Nothing! Notice the words in 1 Samuel 2:12, “they did not know the LORD.” Eli did not introduce them to the God he served. Then as if to put a brick on top of a Picadilly square of Jello, he gave them a good tongue lashing and dropped the issue altogether. He gave up.

God stated another problem He had with Eli’s parenting, “you…honor your sons more than Me.” (1 Samuel 2:29) Hannah loved her son, but she honored her relationship with God above her relationship with her son. That is parenting skills that rock! Or how about parenting skills on The Rock!

Ignite

As Christian moms, we are given the responsibility to introduce our children to Jesus. If we miss that opportunity when they are little children because we did not know Him ourselves or some other reason, we can never give up. We must teach with our lives, with our words, and never accept any disobedience they display as reason to give up on our God ordained responsibility to honor the Lord.

Inspire

Do not give up on your children, dear sisters in Christ. Stand in the truth, But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) Hannah saw the fruit of honoring the Lord above her son displayed in her life and her son’s life. She was blessed with more children and Samuel became a great man of God while Eli’s family came to an abrupt end. (1 Samuel 4:12-22)