Hannah

There are days when I feel the Lord really tapping into my heart. Today, is one of those days. My entire spirit is full of Him, no matter how stressed, tired, and sick I feel. It is although He is there, to motivate me, push me, and protect me. His arms wrap around me, the best security blanket one could ask for. 

My name, Hannah, is a biblical name. It comes from the Book of Samuel. A quick summary of her story is that Hannah had what many would call 'a raw deal in life'. She was childless in a society that considered not having a child the ultimate failure. A longing of the heart denied can cause much pain. Rather than allow her pain to cause bitterness towards God Hannah used the pain in her heart as a catalyst to pray. She prayed and prayed, and the Lord gave her what she desired most, a son, who she named Samuel.

In my children's bible that I had when I was young, the picture of Hannah was a woman with red hair. I always thought it was not a coincidence that my name was Hannah and I had red hair.

I simply adore her prayer:

Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
    for I delight in your deliverance.

 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

 “Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
    and by him deeds are weighed.

 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
    but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 

 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.

“The Lord brings death and makes alive;
    he brings down to the grave and raises up. 

 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts. 

 He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world. 

 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;

    those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
    the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

-1 Samuel 2:1-10

My heart truly does REJOICE in the LORD. ♥

xo

Hannah