“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him over to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:28
This was how Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to the priest Eli at the Temple. Samuel ended up being one of the greats in the Old Testament – one of the few who walked with God.
Are we as mothers not called to do the same? We are to pray for our children, no matter what their age, and give them to God because after all He gave them to us. Though, yes, at times we question that at different stages of their life. Like when they imitate Picasso on the wall of the living room or feed the dog jelly beans, or wreck the family car, or stop going ot Church, or get drunk with their friends we told them would get them in trouble. Our kids are not perfect, God knows that. He also knows we are not either.
I remember asking my eighty year old mother one time after my grown son got into a sticky situation, “Mom, when did you stop worrying about us kids?” She smiled and softly replied, “Ill let you know.” As a woman of deep faith I am sure she spent many a sleepless night praying for us. She gave us to God. I am also sure at times when we rose above the crowds and achieved a goal or served the Lord, she gave that back to Him as well in thanksgiving. Even though she is now asleep in the Lord, I still feel her prayers over me.
I don’t think it was a one time event for Hannah. I imagine everyday in her heart she repeated the act even though Samuel was not in her sight. I strive to do the same.
Lord God, children are a blessing from you. They fill our hearts with joy then break them, just as we do to You. Today, I rededicate mine to You. I join other mothers and ask that Your will be done in their children’s lives. When we cannot, hold them, counsel them and protect them. Fill them with Your Spirit and bring them peace until that day when You call us all home as your children to dwell in eternity. Amen.
“And again Jesus says, ‘Here am I and the children God has given me.’ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death…” Hebrews 2: 13-14
