“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshipped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Every day thousands of children are born all around the world. While the majority of parent’s are pleased to have the child, there are also many who do not want the child. They see the child as an inconvenience and not a blessing from God.
As there are people who are having children, there are some that want a child and cannot have any. They cry out to God and doctors all the time to have a child without any success or favor.
Hannah was one of those women who wanted a child, but could not have any. After crying out to God and making a vow to Him, God gave her favor and gave her a child. Shortly after the child was born, Hannah fulfilled her vow to God and gave the boy, Samuel, over to God to serve Him his whole life.
Every child that is born is a blessing or a gift from God. Parents are given the child by God to raise to know God and serve Him.
However, many parents raise the child to serve themselves, rather than serve God. They hold on to the child and do not want them to do what God has for them to do. Parents often determine every step the child takes for his whole life–what college to go to, what career to do, where to live, and much more.
Today children are not given over to a temple or church, as Samuel was, but they can be given to God to use in the way He desires.
If you are a parent, you need to see your child as a gift from God to raise. The best way to raise your child is to give Him back to God to allow God to use the child in the best way possible. God has great works for your child to do. Do not hold your child back, by trying to raise the child your way.
Samuel became a mighty prophet known by the whole world, because Hannah gave him back to God. Give your child back to God and see what God can do through your child.
I pray today that you will trust God with your child; that you will allow God to guide your child; that you will allow God to use you and your child for His work in this world; and that God will change this world through you and your child.
Amen!