Sing Hannah’s Song Through Surrender
“And she said, ‘Oh my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to Him.’”
1 Samuel 1:26-27
When we cling to the promises of God, we can surrender. It’s easy to surrender when we are growing to trust the One we are surrendering to. This is the most profound and amazing part of Hannah’s story. And also often the most missed part. We often see that famous verse by Hannah, “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has given ...
He Is Stronger Than My Sorrow
Each grieving mother carries her own unique fears, burdens, and heartaches; and while we all long for the strength to endure the grief and pain that have become a part of our stories, what we envision that strength to look like can be vastly different from one woman to the next.
Some of us think that to be strong in grief means not to cry or display weakness.
Others believe that strength means being able to keep the details of our lives together and maintain a sense of “normalcy” even when it feels like everything around us is crumbling to the ground.
Still others ...
In the Word: The Storm of Grief
Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next few weeks, we will be meditating on Psalm 19 together. As we study these truths together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God's Word each week with us!
“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.”
Psalm 19:13
READ:
Sin ...
Sing Hannah’s Song Through His Promises
“Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him.’ And she said, ‘Let your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.”
1 Samuel 1:17-18
At first glance, it would seem that what made Hannah’s heart glad was that God was going to give her a son. But we must remember, this would be a child she would give right back to God. This would not be the longed for child to fill the aching mother void in her heart, but the child that she believed would be a ...
Our Forever Family
“How many children do you have?”
“Is she your only girl?”
“So, you have three kids then?”
These are normal questions. Reasonable questions. These are standard questions that women are asked on a regular basis. But to the Hope Mom, these questions rip off the band-aid, exposing the wound that’s present, though not often visible. These questions remind us (not that we ever need reminding) that the picture people see of our family is incomplete.
I am asked these questions frequently, and I could answer:
“No, I have 4 children—2 boys and 2 ...
Caitlin’s Story
Eleanor “Ellie” Love Kropchuk was the most beautiful surprise. In March 2017, my husband, Matthew, and I were so excited to find out she was on the way to join big brother Timothy (three years old) and big sister Caroline (20 months). Since I already have two children, pregnancy was nothing new for me. But Ellie was different. My doctor even commented at one point, as we laughed together about how active Ellie always was, that this pregnancy was just different than the others.
Around seven months into my pregnancy, I created a playlist that I would listen to during ...
Sing Hannah’s Song Through Lament
“As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, ‘How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.’ But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexati...
Combating the Idleness of Grief
“We urge you, brethren, admonish the idle […] be patient with everyone”1 Thessalonians 5:14 NASB
I understand, firsthand, that grief can stall a person—it can take a physical toll that might, especially at first, preclude the amount of activity in life that used to take no thought. Though this may seem disconcerting and endless, in my experience, it is an aspect of grief that time does change with time.
But even further, perhaps you have been sitting, for a while now, with a sense that little is worth doing anymore in this life. I have had these thoughts. But ...
In the Word: Declared Innocent
Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next few weeks, we will be meditating on Psalm 19 together. As we study these truths together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God's Word each week with us!
“Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.”
Psalm 19:12
READ:
I don’t know what kind of regret or guilt you might be carrying today surrounding the ...
Sing Hannah’s Song Through Tears
“After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
1 Samuel 1:9-11, ESV
A woman named Ruth Stull said, “If my life is ...
