Hannah had a sweetheart. His name was Elkanah and he loved his wife very much. Elkanah showed his wife great love and was sensitive to her needs. He knew she wanted children. He saw her look longingly at his second wife's little ones and his heart must have broke. "Dearest Hannah," he must have said, "I know how much you desire children, but let me help you through this! I treat you so much better than ten sons would! Please eat, my sweet, and don't let your heart be so sad!"
He could have put her down and taunted her as the other wife did. It was a shame for a married woman not to have children. It was as if God had cursed her because she could not bear children. Yet Elkanah loved her even more. Hannah did not nag or whine to him about not giving her children. She took her burden to the Lord and poured out her heart to Him in prayer. God saw her need, heard her heart's cry, and poured down His blessings on her. A short time later - nine months maybe? - Hannah held her answer in her arms. When it was time to take their once a year trip to worship, Hannah told her husband she would not go until little Samuel had been weaned and she could fulfill her part of the bargain she had made to God. Elkanah lovingly agreed and let her stay home until the proper time. No nagging or arguing. A simple trust...a deep, abiding love was clearly seen between the two and God blessed them.
It is the little things that bless each other; it is the sacrifice and giving up of oneself for the other that makes love so special. And whether you do something special for your loved one today or not, make sure you thank the One Who brought you together and allow Him to work in your relationship for it will only bring you closer to each other.
He could have put her down and taunted her as the other wife did. It was a shame for a married woman not to have children. It was as if God had cursed her because she could not bear children. Yet Elkanah loved her even more. Hannah did not nag or whine to him about not giving her children. She took her burden to the Lord and poured out her heart to Him in prayer. God saw her need, heard her heart's cry, and poured down His blessings on her. A short time later - nine months maybe? - Hannah held her answer in her arms. When it was time to take their once a year trip to worship, Hannah told her husband she would not go until little Samuel had been weaned and she could fulfill her part of the bargain she had made to God. Elkanah lovingly agreed and let her stay home until the proper time. No nagging or arguing. A simple trust...a deep, abiding love was clearly seen between the two and God blessed them.
It is the little things that bless each other; it is the sacrifice and giving up of oneself for the other that makes love so special. And whether you do something special for your loved one today or not, make sure you thank the One Who brought you together and allow Him to work in your relationship for it will only bring you closer to each other.
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