Found in 1 Samuel 1:9-11 of the Message Bible: So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow:

 

It’s easy to make a vow to the Lord for something you so deeply long for, but when the time comes to make good on your promise, most of us push it out of our minds and go on our merry way.  We rejoice in the fulfillment of our hearts desire and are willing to give thanks, but then we turn away and think perhaps God will forget the vow we made so we can live our life in comfort and happiness.

It takes some tough stuff to keep a vow! I remember when I found out I was pregnant for my first child just how excited I was. I had always wanted to be a mom, but in my heart I knew they weren’t for me alone. I was birthing children with purpose, not mine, but Gods.

I’ve never been more aware of that in my entire life then I am right now. Each time they share a time God speaks to them or they’re aware of His presence in situations they face, I remember the moment I surrendered them back to God for His plans for them. I declared, “Not my will God, but Yours! Whatever You need them for, help me to train them up so that they will trust in You not me. So they will hope in You not me. So they will be completely Yours, not mine.”

I may not have left them in the temple, but I taught them they are the temple. That wherever they go, they would always have access to the Spirit of God in them because He would never leave them or forsake them. I taught them to guard their hearts, watch their words, bless and not curse. Are they perfect-YES! To God they will always be perfect because He formed them in His image and likeness.

Have we experienced intense warfare? YES! We had to fight for the treasure in them because trust me, if we see treasure, so does their enemy and he will fight to keep them from walking in the promises of God. Every promise spoken over our children will come to pass according to the plans God has for them. Why? Because God cannot lie. It’s not based on what I see with my natural eyes, but what I see with my spiritual eyes. That’s the only thing I pay attention to.

Keep your vow! Praying always with all prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be known to the Lord. Don’t stop when they leave home. Don’t stop when they do stupid stuff. Pay no mind to the plans of the enemy, because it’s merely a distraction to change your focus. Keep your eyes on the one who promises because He is ALWAYS faithful.

Remind Him of His promises. Agree with His Word over your children and your children’s children, not what you see in the natural. Be obedient to speak only what God says to speak, not out of your feelings or your natural circumstances. Hold fast to Him when the contrary winds come (and they will). Soon the wind will die down and the peace of God will surround you. You are where you belong and they are where they belong because He orders and directs their steps even when it’s not what you would choose for them. God always has a better plan!