God gives amazing and wonderful gifts. It can't be denied! Today I held the most precious and beautiful little baby girl in my arms. She's not only a gift to her parents, but she is the gift of hope to those of us who participated in the journey on the way.
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." -Proverbs 13:12.
We all prayed for this baby and pleaded that God would grant our prayers for our friends. He is faithful, the God who hears and sees us.
What I love most is this little one's name, Hannah. I adore this story in 1 Samuel because I identify so much with Hannah. She pours out her heart to the Lord and he remembers her. In her thanksgiving she gives her son back to serve the Lord and he ends up leading and counseling the influential people of his time.
“Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there. -1 Samuel 1:26-28
So we thank our God for answering of our prayers, and we dedicate this beauty back to the Lord to be used for his glory!
What a gift that we can participate corporately in the prayers of the one's we love, we pray for their heart's desires and they pray for ours. Seeing their fulfillment leads to our encouragement that he will do the same for us and it binds us together. The season of Thanksgiving never ends.
Today I was reminded again of the best gift we were ever given, the gift of grace in Christ. A gift beyond what we could imagine or desire (Eph 3:20). God knows what we need, when we need it and he gives it generously! I trust the Lord. I hope this encourages you to trust Him also, and trust His people to lift you up and participate in life with you.
P.S. If you get the title reference I am proud of you...
