Daily Devotional

I am sitting in my yard marveling at my precious grandchildren. My husband, Jim has inspired them to build a city on a table using sticks, bark, rocks and whatever yard debris they can find.  
My heart is full of love for them. Thinking back, there was a time when Jim and I wondered if we would ever have children and grandchildren to love. My husband and I remember the anguish of losing 4 babies. The book of I Samuel 1 ministered to our grieving hearts. Hannah describes how she felt about not being able to bear children:

I Samuel 1:10, 11, She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."

Eli the priest had been watching her and thought she was drunk. Hannah responds in I Samuel 1:15-16: But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." Then Eli answered, “Go in peace and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him." And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Why was Hannah no longer sad? She knew God listened to her prayer. She “poured out her soul” to the Lord.  God listened. God answered. I Samuel 1:20, And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son and she called him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”

I look at my dear husband laughing, guiding our grandchild to build their “city” with rocks, twigs and leaves. God listened. God answered. 4 children in Heaven, 3 adopted daughters, 3 sons-in-law, 23 foster children, 14 grandchildren. I want to meet Hannah some day in Heaven and tell her personally how much her life impacted my life. Our great God, provided our wonderful family through adoption.  

Parents: How do we apply this for our children?

1.Build a “city” with sticks, stones, leaves and bugs. While you are building….

2.Teach your kids to pray with honesty. Teach them it is ok to cry out to God. Encourage them to be completely honest. Sometimes, God’s answer is yes; sometimes God’s answer is no; sometimes God’s answer is wait. God listens. God answers.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.