At the age of 39, my mother stood beside my father’s casket and prayed, “Give me strength.”
A massive heart attack claimed his life at 46 years old. Mother was now a widow and a single parent with three children and a grandbaby to raise. My Dad was a Baptist minister, and my mother’s life had been focused on the ministry, the family, and the home. Today, she faced a giant of uncertainty but refused to allow fear to swallow her up. Mother knew where her help would come from. Her faith in her God was strong, even as she endured deep sorrow and suffering. She made him Lord of her life at age 15 and knew He would never let her down.
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 KJV
Raising her children without her husband was a great challenge, but Mother continued to hold on to her faith. She took a job and worked long hours to provide for us. When we went astray, she would gather us back with her words of love and compassion. Her faith continued to grow, and the Lord strengthened her daily.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Mother never complained about the new hand she had been dealt. She kept her eyes on Jesus, and she claimed His promises. She would recite the apostle Paul many times,
“I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:12 KJV
Mother was learning to be content, and God was giving her strength for the journey, one day at a time.
“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 KJV
In the fall of 2016, my mother faced yet another giant: cancer. Once again, she prayed to her God, “Give me strength.”
She began chemo and radiation treatments in hopes that the tumor would shrink. It did not. It was stage four colon cancer. In the spring of 2017, she underwent three surgeries that lasted almost 6 hours. The surgeons were optimistic, and my mother began her road to recovery. As brutal as all these things were, she never took her eyes off Jesus. She prayed and believed that He would heal her body, and He did.
On March 14, 2024, Mother celebrated her 85th birthday. She has been cancer-free for seven years. She is part of five generations.
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24 KJV
Oh, the power of a simple prayer: “Give me strength.” I have remembered this prayer many times in my life. I have observed my mother’s faith, and I have increased my faith because of her walk and her testimonies. She has been the Godly example that I have needed in my life. I hope that I have passed this faith on to my children and grandchildren as well.
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwell first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Timothy 1:5 KJV
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.The heart of her husband dothsafely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens .She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come .She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:10-31 KJV
Today and every day, I honor this Proverbs 31 Mother of mine. I thank God for her and rejoice that she taught me to pray the simple, powerful prayer, “GIVE ME STRENGTH.”
Mother’s faith was tried in the fires of life, and she walked out of those fires as pure gold. She is truly a woman after God’s own heart.
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7-9
To all the mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day! May the Lord strengthen you daily on this journey of life, and may others take notice of your faith.
Dana Hill
Lean into Jesus Ministries
