God Hears

​My hands trembled as I opened the envelope.  I already knew what it was before I ripped the flap open to reveal the pretty pastel colored card tucked inside inviting me to yet another baby shower. 

This would be the fourth invitation in as many months.  Our small congregation was having a baby boom with some of my closest friends becoming pregnant with their second babies. 

​Normally I would receive such good news with joy and feel the excitement of being included in the festivities of a baby shower, but the fourth invitation was more than I could handle. I had just come from the doctor where I had heard the words “secondary infertility” pronounced over me as a short list of expensive and potentially painful options was presented to pursue my second pregnancy.

My three year-old daughter was a blessing and pure joy as she cheerfully filled our house with singing, good-natured preschool mischief, lots of warm hugs and sloppy kisses.  She was growing into a bright and precocious child who filled my days with activity and my heart with love. Amidst the fulfillment I experienced nurturing her, a void was present deep in my mother’s heart. I knew someone was missing in our family. I had prayed fervently for a new baby for the past couple years. 

After church the following Sunday, I parked in the garage while my husband and daughter went into the house to prepare lunch.  I had no appetite.  I opened my Bible to 1 Samuel and I started to pray and weep as I read Hannah’s story.  My tears mixed with Hannah’s as she struggled with the overt slights from Peninnah and I struggled with the blessings of my more fertile friends.

In 1 Samuel 1, we read that God blessed Peninnah and Elkanah with children long before Hannah’s womb opened to conceive Samuel.  Samuel’s arrival was no accident.  He was the child of ardent prayer as Hannah cried out to God in such a way that Eli, the priest, thought she had been drinking too much wine.  Her anguish and bitter tears reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies with a promise to return the child to God’s service for his entire lifetime if she could conceive and carry him under her heart for a short time.  God heard Hannah’s cry, then gave Eli a message for Hannah that her request for a baby would be granted. 

Strengthened by Hannah’s example to plead with the Lord openly, the very next Sunday I followed suit.  During the service I went to the altar and prayed for another child. Our worship pastor prayed with my husband and me.  After a few minutes our pastor looked at me and assured me that the Lord had heard my cry and I could expect God to answer my prayers.  With this affirmation, I imagined how Hannah must have felt when Eli said something similar to her. Have you ever felt certain that your bold act of vulnerability was heard and kept safe by God?  I have. About a year later, we gathered to dedicate our infant son’s tiny new life to the Lord. 

Have you ever longed desperately for someone to be part of your life? Perhaps you feel the desire for a child, a close friend, or a spouse to be in your life. Hannah’s story shows us that making ourselves vulnerable before God is the safest place to share our most desperate cries.  Cry out!  Share your desire with the One who already knows your deepest hopes and dreams.  Trust Him with your longings and know that He is listening!

Memory verse:  “In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.” 2 Samuel 22:7 NIV

About the Author

It’s so nice to meet you! I’m Dana Schaefer.  My husband Chris and I make our home in northwest Georgia along with our two children ages 14 and 10.  Professionally I serve as Academic Dean at Heritage Bible College.  I love digging deeper into Biblical contexts to see how the ancient words and practices impact our modern lives.  A perfect afternoon would include a good book, a porch swing and a glass of peach tea!

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