It was a beautiful morning. The sky was bright blue and the sun was shining.

Yet, my heart was slowly breaking.

We made our way to the Zona Rosa recruiting station. After making it through security, we sat and waited for a minute. I was smiling and making small talk…

…yet my heart was breaking.

The US Army Captain ushered us into a room and told us that it was time. Four men, boys really, stood there at attention.

“Gentlemen, you are part of the 1% willing and able to serve in the US military…”

My heart was definitely breaking.

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…

How did this happen? When did my son become old enough to swear an oath? I could only see the boy who stapled his finger in second grade.

that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me…

How is he going to make it without me? Just a few months ago, he was in high school and would almost daily forget his lunchbox in his locker. I was filming the oath on my phone and praying that the autofocus was working because the tears were blinding me.

according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

So help me God. And just like that I was volunteered into the rank of military moms.

And then I spent a little bit more time with Hannah. You know Hannah. Her story is in 1 Samuel. Here are the lessons she taught me.

  • Be secure in your true identity.

If you will indeed look on the afflictions of your servant… 1 Samuel 1:11

Even though she did not have much to offer since she was barren, Hannah still considered herself a servant to God. Her identity was rooted in that knowledge.

As my role as a mother changes, my identity needs to be rooted in the fact that first and foremost I am a servant to the Lord.

  • Know that God hears you.

I am a woman troubled in spirit 

I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:15

No matter how deep the pain and sorrow, God hears and He knows.

  • Even though my children are no longer with me physically, they are still my children.

As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:28

Hannah did not stop being the mother of Samuel the day he went into the service of Eli. And God also blessed her with many more children.

Hannah’s faith and wisdom are amazing. As she let go of her baby boy, praises flow through her mouth.

My heart exults in the Lord;

my horn is exalted in the Lord.

My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 

1 Samuel 2:1

No matter how many times I will have to let go, I can choose to rejoice in His salvation. Do I really need anything else?

There is none holy like the Lord:

for there is none besides you;

there is no rock like our God.

1 Samuel 2:2

I am still in the process of letting go, but I draw strength from these words.

How about you? Where does your strength come from?

As my role as a mother changes, my identity needs to be rooted in the fact that I am a servant to the Lord.

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