Reporting from the LaundryTrenches

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."
"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."
Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
1She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

Hannah Dedicates Samuel
When the man Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always." word." So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. 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 worshiped the LORD there. "Do what seems best to you," Elkanah her husband told her. "Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:9-28

I read excerpts of this passage at Little Dude's baptisim. It seemed fitting for as hard as it was for us to concieve him. When we were in the hospital to deliver we had foud names....2 girl names and 2 boy names. AS they showed me my baby boy My Sweetie asked "What are we going to name him?" Without hesitation, I blurted out the name that had been on my heart for years prior. As we arrived home with our newest little bundle, we found a card in the mailbox; a congratulations card with a scripture.

"For this child, I prayed" 1 Samuel 1:20

His name was perfect.

Today I was drawn back to this passage that I read for Little Dude's baptism. Now, while Little Dude has indeed had his haircut and I am not handing him over to my Pastor, when we baptized him I WAS dedicating him to God for his whole life.

Today as I dropped off a very excited 3-year old for his first day of preschool,

I wondered how much it hurt Hannah to do what she did. I wondered if she was sad. I wondered if she cried. I wondered just how quiet her home felt when she returned.

The scripture doesn't say anything about her sadness, but as a mom I would only assume that her heart was hurting a little.

1 Samuel 2:1 titled Hannah's Prayer does say,