Hannah, a Hero

Hannah is a woman in the Bible whom I've been able to relate to many times in my little life. I remember after Rob first went back to Canada, way back when we began our one year long distance relationship, I was a wreck. I was so upset I didn't eat for 3 days. Then I read the story of Hannah and was so encouraged by her faith that everything in my life turned around that day, and it honestly set the course for the rest of my year.

And I find myself once again being transformed by her life.

Now this is a great summary, but to read it in its entirety, check out 1 Samuel chapter 1 :-)

For years and years Hannah prayed for a child, but her womb was closed. Year after year when they went up to the house of the Lord, it says she wept and did not eat. This particular time the priest came upon her weeping and confronted her. And in her turmoil she replied that if God would give her a son, she would give him back to the Lord all the days of his life.

Long story short, she became pregnant with Samuel and when he was 3 years old, she took him back to that priest to be raised by him. She gave Samuel to the Lord as she had promised.

Pause. Did you catch that?

She didn't take him to the church to be dedicated, and then went out for Sunday brunch. No. She GAVE HIM to the Lord. If you are a mom, can you even fathom that? I can't.

But the Lord saw her obedience and blessed the fruit of her womb and gave her many more children. Samuel went on the be one of the greatest men of the Bible.

So how does this relate to me, why am I so encouraged? While my story is NOTHING in comparison to Hannah's, it draws distinct parallels in my life. I want nothing more than to be a stay at home mom. My heart and desires totally changed while at the Honor Academy, and I knew I was never going to be a career woman. I knew without a doubt I wasn't supposed to continue with college.

But right now I find myself having to work. I don't have the opportunity to be at home raising Josiah (just a side note - I thank God that Rob is at home with Josiah and he's not at some daycare being raised by strangers - Rob is an incredible Dad). I'm setting aside my greatest desire and trusting the Lord with His plans. And by seeing how Hannah was blessed in her sacrifice of her son, I too have faith that God also will pour out His blessings in the future and give me the opportunity to be at home with future children.

Just some things I'm thinking about with a quiet, empty office on a rainy morning missing my family.