As mamas, we often face times when our hearts are filled with desires, dreams, and hopes for our families and our children’s futures. But there are also times when those dreams seem far off, when we feel overwhelmed by the wait, or when life doesn’t go as we planned. The story of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, is one that speaks deeply to mothers who are waiting, trusting, and surrendering their dreams to God. Hannah’s life is a beautiful example of how to trust God with our deepest desires and how God is faithful to hear our prayers, even when we don’t understand His timing.

Hannah’s Story

Hannah’s story is found in the book of 1 Samuel, and it begins with a deep yearning in her heart. She was married to Elkanah, but for many years, she was unable to have children. In that society, being childless was seen as a great sorrow and shame. In addition to this pain, Hannah’s situation was complicated by the fact that her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, had children and often taunted and provoked Hannah, adding to her suffering.

Hannah’s sorrow was so deep that she prayed earnestly to God for a son. In her prayer, she made a vow to the Lord that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service for his entire life. God heard her prayers, and in time, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel.

True to her word, once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to the temple and entrusted him to the priest, Eli, to be raised in God’s service. Hannah’s trust in God’s plan and her willingness to surrender her son to God’s calling demonstrated her faith and obedience. In return, God blessed Hannah with more children in the years to come.

Lessons from Hannah’s Story for Moms

1. Trusting God with Our Deepest Desires

Hannah’s story begins with the deep longing of her heart: the desire for a child. She didn’t keep her pain to herself but took it to God, pouring out her heart in prayer. In her moment of distress, she trusted that God would hear her and was willing to surrender her desires to Him.

Application: As moms, we all have desires for our children and our families. Whether it’s desiring to be the best parent we can be, hoping for specific outcomes in our children’s education, or simply wanting to see our children thrive, we can take our hopes and dreams to God just as Hannah did. God hears our prayers, and even though the timing may not always align with our plans, we can trust that He knows what is best for us and our families. Just like Hannah, we can surrender our deepest desires to God, trusting that He is working in ways we can’t always see.

2. Pouring Out Our Hearts to God in Prayer

Hannah’s heartfelt prayer in the temple is one of the most powerful aspects of her story. In her distress, she didn’t hold back her emotions—she wept, prayed, and made her vow to God. She didn’t just ask for a child; she poured out her soul to God in honesty and vulnerability.

Application: As homeschooling and stay-at-home moms, we experience a wide range of emotions. From the joy of spending time with our children to the challenges of managing a household and the exhaustion that sometimes comes with it all, it’s important to remember that we can be honest with God. Just like Hannah, we can pour out our hearts in prayer, expressing our hopes, our fears, our struggles, and even our anger. God listens to us, and He cares about the details of our lives, big and small.

3. Surrendering Our Dreams and Children to God

Once Hannah received the blessing of a child, she was faithful to her promise to God. She didn’t keep Samuel for herself, but instead, she gave him back to God’s service, even though it was a difficult decision. Her trust in God’s plan for Samuel’s life was a profound act of surrender and faith.

Application: We often make sacrifices for the well-being of our children. We work hard to nurture, educate, and guide them, often putting their needs ahead of our own. However, Hannah’s story reminds us that our children ultimately belong to God. While it is our responsibility to raise them, we must trust that God has a unique plan for their lives, even if that means they may go in directions we didn’t anticipate. Whether it’s releasing them into new stages of life, allowing them to pursue their own passions, or trusting God with their futures, we can surrender our children’s paths to God, knowing He has a perfect plan for them.

4. God Rewards Faithfulness and Obedience

Hannah’s faithfulness to God’s calling was rewarded not just with the birth of Samuel but with additional blessings in her life. God gave her more children after Samuel, showing that He honors those who trust Him and are obedient to His will.

Application: As moms, we often face challenges that require long periods of patience and perseverance. It can be easy to get discouraged when the results aren’t immediately visible or when the tasks seem endless. However, Hannah’s story reminds us that God sees our faithfulness, and He rewards those who trust Him and remain obedient, even in difficult times. While the blessings may not always come in the way or at the time we expect, we can trust that God honors our faith and obedience. God works things out in His way in His time. Hannah's story also hits close to home for me, as I struggled with infertility for many years. Even though I was never able to have children with my body, God had something waiting for my husband and me. God was faithful, and we have two beautiful children, the two children that God made for us. (To see more of my story, check out my previous blog, The Faithful Journey of Sarah.)

5. Finding Joy in Giving Back to God

Hannah didn’t begrudge God taking Samuel away from her once he was old enough to serve in the temple. In fact, she rejoiced in the opportunity to give her son back to God, knowing that her sacrifice would be used for a greater purpose. She even celebrated with a song of praise (1 Samuel 2:1-10), recognizing God’s greatness and faithfulness.

Application: Raising children, especially in a homeschooling or stay-at-home mom environment, can sometimes feel like a sacrifice, especially when we feel the weight of our responsibilities. But Hannah’s example shows us that giving our children to God and trusting them to His care doesn’t mean we lose joy; in fact, it brings us closer to His will. We can celebrate the opportunity to invest in their lives and to raise them with a purpose, knowing that they ultimately belong to God. Just like Hannah, we can find joy in giving our children back to God and trusting His plan for their lives.

6. God Works in His Perfect Timing

Hannah had to wait for many years before God answered her prayer. She had no guarantee that she would ever have a child, but she continued to trust God, believing that in His timing, her desire would be fulfilled. And when the time was right, God answered her prayer in the most profound way.

Application: As moms, we often find ourselves waiting—waiting for answers, for changes, or for results. Whether it’s waiting for a breakthrough with a child’s learning, waiting for a shift in the family dynamic, or waiting for guidance on a difficult decision, it’s easy to feel impatient. But Hannah’s story encourages us to trust in God’s perfect timing. He knows exactly when the right moment will come, and He is at work even in the waiting. Trusting in His timing requires patience and faith, but we can be confident that He will fulfill His promises in His perfect way and at the perfect time.

Final Thoughts

Hannah’s story is one of deep faith, patience, and surrender. Her life teaches us the importance of trusting God with our deepest desires and dreams, pouring out our hearts to Him in prayer, and faithfully surrendering our children and our plans to His will. We can take comfort in knowing that God hears our prayers, sees our sacrifices, and rewards our faithfulness.

Just as God answered Hannah’s prayers and worked through her obedience to bring about His plan for the Israelites, He is at work in our lives. Whether we are waiting for answers, trusting God with our children’s futures, or simply seeking His guidance in the everyday moments of motherhood, we can rest assured that He is faithful to hear us, guide us, and bless us in His perfect timing. Like Hannah, we can find joy in trusting God with our dreams, knowing that He is always at work for good and His glory.

Reflection Questions for Hannah’s Story: Praying with Faith and Surrendering to God’s Will

1. Praying with Faith: Hannah’s deep, persistent prayers were answered when she surrendered her child back to God. Are there any prayers in your life that you need to surrender fully to God, trusting Him with the outcomes, even if they don’t look like you expect?

2. Finding Peace in God’s Timing: Hannah prayed for years for a child, and God answered her prayer in His perfect timing. How can you cultivate peace while waiting for God’s answers to your prayers, especially when it feels like nothing is happening?

3. Surrendering Our Children to God: After receiving Samuel, Hannah dedicated him to God’s service. How can you surrender your children back to God, trusting that He has a plan for their lives, even if it means letting go of your own desires or expectations?

4. Responding to God’s Blessings: Hannah’s song of thanksgiving was a heartfelt response to God’s faithfulness. How do you respond to God’s blessings in your life? How can you actively express gratitude, even in seasons of waiting?

5. Trusting God in the Struggle: Hannah’s deep pain and bitterness were transformed through her prayers. How can you bring your own struggles and heartaches to God, trusting that He will meet you in those places and transform them into something beautiful?

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