I Samuel 1:21-22
“When Elkanah next took his family on their annual trip to Shiloh to worship GOD, offering sacrifices and keeping his vow, Hannah didn’t go. She told her husband, ‘After the child is weaned, I’ll bring him myself and present him before GOD—and that’s where he’ll stay, for good.’”
“The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annal trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow. But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, ‘Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.’”
It is easy to read this as Hannah’s reluctance to leave her son. She could have done so, gifting him to the nursing and care of another woman, cutting short the pain in her heart. She chose instead to continue her work of rearing him, pouring in her prayers, growing his body and spirit. When offered to God Samuel was as ready as she could make him; grown into the best she could give. Hannah sets the standard for our own offerings, make them our best, that which hurts to give.
Lord, in our American abundance it is hard to know what costly giving means. Teach me what this means for me. Give me a generous heart that I may participate in your good works. Let me learn to give to and love the world by your direction and strength.