Lessons from Hannah
There are many women in the Bible that you can look up to or look to for guidance. One of these ladies is Hannah. Who is Hannah? She was the mother of Samuel. You can find her story in 1 Samuel 1-2:1-11. She was one of the two wives of Elkanah. Hannah wanted desperately to have a child, and typically they would want a son for a variety of reasons. For whatever reason, she was not able to have a child and while the family was offering their sacrifices to the Lord, Hannah went to present herself to the Lord and was crying and pouring her heart out to the Lord. The priest Eli thought that she was drunk because she was praying silently (her lips were moving but no voice was heard) and scolded her, to which she told Eli that she was pouring her heart out to the Lord. Eli then blessed her and said, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request you have made of him.” (1:17). Hannah rejoiced over what Eli had said to her and she was able to have a son named Samuel. After some time, Hannah told her husband that she was going to bring Samuel back to the temple and leave him there. Now normally, you would think that God gave her what she asked for (a son) and that she could be selfish and keep her son. The thing is, Hannah realized something greater. She realized that her child is a gift and should be given back to the Lord. Have you ever wanted something so badly that you poured your heart out to God (and not just one time, but multiple times, or even years)? Eventually, God gives you what it is (a child, a husband, a job promotion, etc.), and the human thing to do would to be selfish and keep it for yourself. But there is a lesson to be learned from Hannah that can be applied to us today. She realized the gift God had given her could be used for something far greater and she gave the gift back to God to be used by Him. And you know what, God did use Samuel in a mighty way. Samuel ended up being a priest, prophet, seer, judge, and eventually anointed David to become king. God used Hannah’s vow and was able to do something greater with it that she could have ever imagined. When we let God use the things he has given us, the result is so much more than we could ever imagine.
About the author
Hello, my name is Abby. I love Jesus, my family, friends, and coffee. I met my husband in high school, but we didn’t get married for almost 10 years after we first met. We have two very active boys that love to keep us on our toes. My husband and I both homeschool our oldest. When I am not busy homeschooling or doing things with my family or friends, I primarily bake cupcakes.