EXTREME PARENTING!

EXTREME PARENTING!

1 Sam 1:27-28

27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

           Hannah knew that Samuel was both a gift and a stewardship. He was a gift because he was the answer to an agonized prayer of a barren mother. He was the elimination of her humiliation. He was a constant reminder of the faithfulness of a compassionate God.

           Did Samuel never have the colic? Did he never cry endlessly driving sleep from Hannah’s eyes? Did he never weary her with childishness? No, I think Samuel was a normal little Jewish boy. Was this part of the “gift?” I think Hannah knew that it was.

           Hannah also knew that Samuel was a “stewardship.” He did not ultimately belong to her. He was given by God and she returned him to God’s service. This is when parenting becomes extreme and difficult. The moment we realize that parenting is for the child and not for the parent, we become good parents indeed. Guidance, training, and correction are all part of parental love and responsibility. Too many today have abandoned this important function.

           Hannah learned that whatever you give to God is kept safe. It is made better, stronger, and more useful. This was Hannah’s reward.

Dear Lord, bless and help our embattled parents today. AMEN