8.1.23 - 1 Samuel 2:18-21
When God calls, do you find yourself hesitating or hopping right in? What holds you back or draws you forward?
His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the loan that she made to the Lord,” and then they would return to their home. And the Lord took note of Hannah; she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord
I can only imagine how difficult it might be for a mother to give up her child. But, Samuel’s mother did exactly that— gave up her child to the Lord just as she said she would.
Our belonging with God is a bond stronger than family. It surpasses expectations handed down between parents and children. We belong to God, beyond our commitments to others. We belong with God and God is with us.
There are times when this feels natural and other times when it feels like a sacrifice to our family and friends.
The blessing of belonging can outweigh the grief of loss. Sometimes we give up families of origin for families of choice, spaces where we find our fullness in relationship with God.
When God calls, do you find yourself hesitating or hopping right in? What holds you back or draws you forward?
--Calista Silva