"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

Entrusting Your Dreams to God-A Study of Hannah

I Samuel 1:1-2:21

This is my first study and I look forward to studying about Hannah which reminds me of a mother who loved unconditionally.

What kind of dreams do I have? It is enteresting to note that before I met Jesus Christ I had many nightmares. To me dreams were a terrible memory and I lived with great fear in my life. Yet, when I received Jesus Christ as my Savior those horrendous dreams/nightmares ceased. Today my life is filled with dreams but they are dreams of hope. No more do I feel fearful but God has given me a new perspective in this life I live. Now I realize the dreams you are asking me are the goals God has put on my heart but I just wanted you to know that a dream was a thought of fear and hopelessness at one time in my life.

Even though I came from a divorced home my God has given me some wonderful positive dreams in which I see my whole family receiving his gift. I see my whole family accepting Jesus Christ and we all being Christians. I am living to see this come about in God's perfect timing. I have often dreamed of becoming a Missionary and still wait upon God to see if that is his will. I have dreamed of my children being used in the service of the Lord. I have seen part of that vision come to light. Of course I could go on but one dream I am wondering if its just me? It is to be able to move to Mississippi and live on the property that our God has blessed us with? Yes, this is the one dream I have to fully entrust God with because I do not know his will for us at this time in our life.

Through the years I have had many goals God has given me and as I grow closer to Him I am more willing to entrust them to Him.

Who was Hannah? First, her name from the Hebrew/Aramaic dictionary is Channah>favored;Channah, an Israelitess--Hannah. Hannah was the wife of Elkanah yet she had bore no children. Hannah shared Elkanah with another one of his wives named Peninnah. Elkanah was a priest and every year he and his family would travel to Shiloh to worship and bring sacrifices to the Lord in his tabernacle. During the presentation of the sacrifices Elkanah would give Hannah a generous portion because his love for her was much. Of course this stimulated Peninnah to be mean verbally and she harrassed Hannah because her womb was closed from bearing a child for Elkanah. Year after year this went on for Peninnah terrorized Hannah and she would be overcome with tears and depression. Elkanah would ask her why are you so sad and don't eat. You may have no children but you have me.

Have I ever struggles with the pain of being ridiculed for something that is beyond my ability to change?

I feel I can share this with you because it is the most recent hurt I have encountered. Recently, I went back home with my family for a visit with our dad before he undergoes cancer treatment. One evening we were tired and I had gotten into bed early to rest for the next day of travel. All of a sudden I heard loud talking in the other hotel room and I got up to see what the discussion was about. Dad was experiencing some fears about his up and coming battle. As I listened to the conversation the Lord impressed upon my heart to share with dad many were praying for him and I believed God would plant a hedge around him to be able to get him through it all. For the first time in my life a family member said: this isn't the time to talk about prayer or God. I must admit it hurt me deeply. I looked at the ones who had that rebellious heart and said I want dad to concentrate on the positive and know God is going to be there for him. Their faces and expressions showed me their unbelief. I was broken in my heart. But all of a sudden God empowered me to say this: you may doubt God and that is your choice but you will not rob me from believing my God can take care of dad. I have seen God do miracles through prayer. I quietly left the room and broke down until I couldn't stop crying. I I also realized I cannot make them believe in God who loves them and our dad. For the first time I had to admit some of my family are lost. I realized that I could not change them in anyway. But after settling down I realized all I could do is pray for them. The next day I was compelled to make sure the door was open still in our relationship and asked them to forgive me if I had hurt them in anyway. Of course they didn't understand that so I began praying for their salvation. After much prayer and time from the situation I gave it to the Lord and am trusting Him. Prayer is giving the situation to God and giving him full control of what only he can accomplish. I cannot give them faith only God can.

Why do II think it was so important to Hannah to make a vow to God?

Hannah's vow to me was to show God how serious she was about being blessed with a child. She was acknowleding to God that he was almighty and powerful to fulfill her need. The vow was a promise of faith. Hannah felt if God would give her a child she would dedicate him to the Lord forever. The wonderful thing about her relationship with God was she could be open and honest with him. She was not afraid to share what was on her heart. She was willing to covenant with God over a child.

Have I ever prayed for something that I so badly wanted that I made a vow with God, that if He grants this one thing I would do this or that?

Yes, I sought God in prayer one morning in Sunday School in my 20's. We had just studied about Hannah. As people were talking I bowed my head and talked to the Lord. I said: Lord I love my children so much and I know I am not perfect. But Lord please save my children before I die. If you do Lord I will keep them in church and I will dedicate them to you forever. Lord, I know you love them and I desire that with all my heart.

If so, did you keep your vow, when God DID grant you your prayer?

Yes I kept my vow to God and to this day I reminded that my son and daughter are his. You will believe this when I tell you for within 8 weeks both my son and daughter received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. My daughter received him at home as we all kneeled by our bed. And our son received him in VBS in which our pastor led him to Jesus Christ. Since my son and daughter have grown up I have found myself wanting to take control when they struggled and have learned they are God's property. As Hannah prayed for a child I pray for God to work in their lives and show them the way that's right.

Why do I think Eli thought Hannah was drunk?

Eli not only was a priest but also human. I think he assumed and judged her crying before God without a reason. He couldn't hear her and this disturbed him because he didn't know what she was saying to God. I find that peculiar because he was standing there watching her. Eli was a Levite and a priest but he didn't understand what went on between God and Hannah was between them. Eli probably felt left out and so he presumed she was drunk. I cannot imagine a pastor or deacon watching my mouth as I sought God today. Why couldn't Eli fall before God and pray for her if it disturbed him so?

Through the years entrusting God for the vow I made has had trying times but I have kept that vow. The only time I become weak is when satan entices me to take control. I realize God loves my children more than I ever could. Why? Because he shed his blood for them and he knows what is best and what is in their hearts. He knows every thought, every motive, every sorrow, and every joy they have. I praise God for blessing me with 2 children and I praise him because he answered my heart cry.

Hannah is a reminder to all of us women when our hearts are broken or breaking we can come before Him and pour out the most deepest troubles, hurts, disappointments,dreams, or failures. And when we seek him in prayer we can know he does hear us. Hannah had courage to bring her needs to the God who could answer her cry. We today come before our High Priest knowing he lives to intercede for us. Nothing is impossible for our God. I thank God that he does fulfill our needs and makes dreams come true. Thank you Lord....