A Mother's Heart

~~~ 1 Samuel 1:24-28 ~~~ 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD ~~~ 

~~~ Luke 1:46-56 ~~~

Hannah prayed for a child.

God blessed her with a son, Samuel.

Out of gratitude for Samuel she presented him in the temple.

She dedicated him back to the Lord and left him there.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. 

Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;

as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”

She left Samuel there.

This must have been a great sacrifice

 for Hannah;

to give up her son.

It must have been equally 

as difficult for young Samuel to understand.

Why would his mother leave him in the temple?

The Gospel brings us to Mary as she visits with Elizabeth.

A young expectant mother with an aging expectant mother...both 

equally in awe of the power of God.

These three mothers receive the grace to bear their sons

 to fulfill the word of the Lord.

Samuel served Eli faithfully for many years to come.

John served God until his beheading,

 ordered by Herod.

Jesus serves all who come to him to be saved.

Jesus came to die for those whom his father loved.

Three mothers whose sons accomplished great 

things under the direction of God.

We may not be asked to dedicate our son to the Lord,

but we are asked to make sacrifices for God.

We are asked to dedicate ourselves to back to the Lord

 in thanksgiving for his wondrous deeds.

Hannah and Mary express their prayer using similar words...

Hannah prays...

My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

Mary prays...

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord...

The time is now for us to align our prayer with these holy women.

How has God manifest wonders for you this Advent?

What causes your heart and soul to proclaim his greatness?

The Blessings of the Lord

come to us so that we too may exult in the Lord.

Come, Jesus, Come!