In 1 Samuel 1:28, Im challenged as a Parent by the statement that comes from Hannah. (the mother of Samuel the prophet)

When she receive the gift of a baby boy, she makes this powerful statement:

1 Samuel 1:28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”

Each version uses some different words for the word “give” in the verse above. Some translations use the word “commit” or “dedicate”.

So the question I felt, or the challenge I felt after reading this verse, is what am I committing my daughter to? What have I dedicated my child to? and what will I give my child’s life to?

Will I dedicate her life to the pursuits and passions that are common to the society that we live in? Will I give her life to sports/education/people/beauty/fame/money/art??

Or will I & my wife like Hannah make the conscience choice to dedicate and give my daughter to the serve the kingdom of God? And not just for a once a week deal or a monthly event, but like Hannah says “for her whole life”.

Lets choose to commit our kids lives to the building of the Church!