Hannah’s heart

 In the midst of all this, Samuel, a boy dressed in a priestly linen tunic, served God. Additionally, every year his mother would make him a little robe cut to his size and bring it to him when she and her husband came for the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “God give you children to replace this child you have dedicated toGod.” Then they would go home. 1 Samuel 2:19 MSG

Samuel’s mother, Hannah, had no children for many years.  Year after year, she would travel with her husband and his other wife and their children to Shiloh to give sacrifices to God. Every year her desperation for a child of her own grew. The other wife taunted her, the bully that she was, because Hannah was barren.

Hannah prayed a prayer so completely, so honestly that Eli, the head priest, thought she was drunk. She promised God that if he would hear her prayer and have mercy on her heart by giving her a son, she would give that very child back to God by dedicating his life to God’s service.

and you know what? God honored her request.

God recognized that she was genuine in her offer, unlike so many of us who say, “God, if you get me out of this mess, I promise I’ll {fill in the blank}” – God can tell an honest plea from a fake one.

He sees our heart; he saw Hannah’s heart and knew hers to be true. Within a year, she gave birth to that son, Samuel, who would become the first King of Israel.

I love Hannah’s story; it is one of my very favorites. She wanted a child so badly, she promised to give him up and allow him to be raised by the priests, so that his life would be dedicated to God’s service. Hannah, much like Moses’ mother, only had a few short years with her son. Both mothers were only able to raise their sons until they were weaned, and then they both handed their boys off to another forever. I could not imagine the moment they walked away, even with the knowledge that this was a plan sealed by God himself.

Those five short years were all the time both mothers had to teach their boys everything they wanted them to know. Even though Hannah got to see her boy every year when she same to Shiloh and give him a new robe, she knew these first few years were the only ones she would have to build the foundation of his character, his morals, his attitude, and his love for God.

While God may not have made this deal with you or with me, parents, we should be raising our boys to be Godly men. Who else is going to teach them? Their friends? Think about that for a minute…. Lead them by example; show them how to be honorable, trustworthy, truthful, merciful and compassionate. Teach them how to be strong, courageous, and victorious. Explain to them what really matters; living for God, and that anything they do to that effect is good and right.

Lord, I am so thankful to have the time you have given me with my children. I pray that I teach them who you are through my walk; that they see you through me and want an ever stronger relationship with you. God, place your hands upon my children and bless them with the wisdom to seek you in everything they do.