Tags
1 Samuel, Birthdays, children, Hannah, Motherhood, Mothers Prayers, prayer, Samuel, Scripture
My baby boy turns twenty-one today! I have been dwelling on this, not because it makes me feel old, or realize how time flies quickly by as we blink and they are grown, although I am aware of both of these things. No what has had me thinking about this is how rarely I get to see my youngest as he is off at college 10 hours away. And for the past 3 years, I have not gotten to celebrate his birthday with him.
While I know this is not really a big deal, I love celebrating birthdays and making them special. My other children were born at times of the year where I could see them even when they were in college. But when Matthew chose a college so far away, it meant no birthday celebration from me. (Well, I did send a party in a box and have some of his friends gather and send pizza, but it was not the same as being part of the celebration.) And I could tend to feel sorry for myself over this.
But then I thought of Hannah. Do you remember the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel? She wanted a child and prayed so fervently at the temple that the priest thought she was drunk! And she promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give Him back to the LORD for His service. Samuel was born and as soon as he was weaned, she took Him to the temple and gave Him back to God. She only got to see Samuel once a year, when she and her husband visited the temple to make a sacrifice. And this was from the time he was a little child!
Of course, she never stopped caring for him. Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the Lord.” So then they would return to their home. (1 Samuel 2:18-20) Hannah spent countless hours hand sewing Samuel a new robe each year. She may even have woven the cloth herself. I am sure that she spent that time in prayer for her child. Eli recognized her love for God and Samuel, and asked God to bless her because of her love and devotion.
And He did! She had 5 more children after being barren for so many years! And what of Samuel? We are told over and over in Scripture that he grew “in the presence of the LORD” or “with the LORD.” Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.(1 Samuel 2:21) Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.(1 Samuel 2:26) And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.(1 Samuel 3:19) This is the goal we seek for our children. That they grow to love and serve the LORD.
And what of Hannah? Did she miss her child and miss celebrating special occasions with him? I am sure she did, for the feelings of Motherhood are universal. But she did not dwell on what she was missing, but rather on how God is sovereign and shows grace to the humble. Her heart is joyful and full of praise and gratitude, focused on God’s glory and not herself.
And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”(1 Samuel 2:1-10)
I resolve to do the same today, with God’s help. I give thanks to God for the gift of Matthew, and pray that he will continue to grow with the LORD and live to glorify and serve Him. I pray for him with the writer of Proverbs:
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord‘s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:1-12)
And the most glorious thing of all for me to remember, is that we will get to spend eternity together, celebrating the Glory of Jesus!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Diane