Sunday, June 12, 2011 - 1 Samuel 1:11

[Tek7]

Making a vow, she pleaded, "LORD of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant's affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut."

1 Samuel 1:11, HCSB

I had thought to originally write about Proverbs 22:6, but then I remembered I wrote a post on that verse already.

I chose this verse as my wife and I have signed up to participate in the baby dedication at our local church. I'll say immediately that I understand baby dedication is not a sacrament and is no guarantee the child will grow up to be a strong Christian. I realize it is not a one-time event that absolves us of our parental responsibilities to raise our child in the way she should go. Instead, baby dedication is about the parents recognizing and publicly accepting that responsibility in front of their local congregation.

The story of Hannah and her son Samuel is a moving one and I recommend reading the story in its entirety. The verse I picked out focuses on Hannah's promise to God, her remembrance of her promise, and her grateful and faithful response to the Lord. Hannah was not a woman to receive what she asked for, thank the Lord, then live life as she saw fit. She understood her role as parent as a steward of a wonderful gift God had given her.

The phrase, "I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life" is, as a new parent, a terrifying challenge. I love my child and I'm proud to claim her as my own. I want to keep her safe, comfortable, healthy, and near to me. I don't want to face the possibility that the Lord may have plans that take me and my daughter out of our comfort zones. Nevertheless, I accept my role as parent and understand that my child was a gift from God.

In standing before a congregation and participating in a baby dedication, I'm emulating Hannah's response to God. Her example is one that intimidates me and, I'll be frank, terrifies me. It helps to remember that God never calls us to serve without equipping us for the task he assigns us.

The prospect of raising a child is a sobering one and should not be taken lightly. Parents shouldn't live in fear, but rather with a healthy respect for the magnitude of the job we've been given by God. We should raise the child to serve the Lord and remember the wonderful gift and responsibility He has given us.

 

[Durruck]

As someone that is not a parent, I can only partially understand how you must feel. Regardless, thank you for the passionate description of your daughter's dedication today.

 

[ursen]

Even more sobering is the fact that responsibility is even greater as we become grandparents. We must become "Prayer Warriors", to borrow an overused and misunderstood term, and never cease to pray for our children and grandchildren, the job only ends when we are promoted to glory. And I'm not sure it even ends then.

 

[Abba San]

Terrifying, yes - but oh so true - whether we like it or not. They really do belong to God. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Abea]

Thanks for the post, took me back many years to the day I dedicated my sons. My oldest was about 5 at the time and he participated by answering some of the same questions we answered. I remember feeling, in some ways, what you are describing. "I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life." So very hard to utter those words and not think about what you are really saying.

Today, my oldest is going to be 19 in July and is studying to be a Pastor. He has lived his life completely sold out and dedicated to the Lord from a very early age, and I pray he continues for the rest of his years. We tend to think God chose a child specifically for us, but really, I think he specifically chose US for our children. I am so thankful that God "loaned" him to me as I have learned a lot from him over the years. May you too, be blessed to learn from you daughter as you have her on loan from God. Trust that God always knows what is best and He hand picked you and your wife for nurturing her until she steps out into her special purpose designed by Him. He already knew you had the stuff to do exactly what He needs you to do for her.

Parenting is one of the most significant roles bestowed by God and yet the most rewarding in so many ways.

 

[silverleaf]

Hmm I have a question about the verse itself. If his hair is never cut, like EVER, though we know that he was tricked into it a few times, isn't it going to be like really really long?
Is there any biblical basis as to not cutting hair/shaving = man of God, or is this an isolated vow she made with the action itself (hair) not having much significance but only the vow matters?

Also... CONGRATULATIONS!