The story of Samuel's mother is one I don't remember hearing being taught or preached. But it is so powerful, and yet so simple.
You can read it for yourself in 1 Samuel 1-2:21. But I will give you the short version.
We know Samuel as a prophet, priest and judge, a man who faithfully served God and played a key role in the choosing of the first kings of Israel. But perhaps he got his faithfulness from his mother Hannah. She was one of 2 wives of a guy called Elkanah. The other wife Peninnah proved to be efficient at producing children, while Hannah had no such luck. Peninnah would mock Hannah about it, but Elkanah loved her in spite of her inability to bear him a child (it should be noted that this was completely out of character for husbands of that time). In fact he was especially generous to her, and tried to encourage her despite her barrenness.
But despite her husband's encouragement, Hannah still longed for a child. And so she cries out to God, begging Him to give her a baby boy. She promises that she will give him to God's service, setting him apart to work in the House of the Lord. Basically, she is saying she will not keep the child, she just wants to know that she has contributed to God's Kingdom by bearing a child. She is not asking for anything in return, simply to be used by God in this humble way.
So God blesses her with a baby boy, Samuel. Hannah faithfully delivers on her promise, and gives him up for the Lord's service. Samuel becomes a great servant of God. But the story doesn't end there, because God blesses Hannah with three more sons and two daughters! God has seen her faithfulness, and has rewarded her.
Hannah did not give Samuel up so that she could get more childen. She gave him up because she was commited to God. She wanted her body to be of use in the Kingdom. For this privilege she was prepared to give up the joys of motherhood, simply to know she had made a contribution.
Do you feel useless, barren in your ability to offer anything of worth to God? I bet people around you don't hold the same opinion, and I know God doesn't. Would you trust Him, and ask Him to give you opportunities to serve Him? And then will you fully commit yourself to Him to do whatever it is He has prepared for you, no matter how big or small?
"I'm a little more than useless
And when I think that I can't do this
You promise me that I'll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once" - Relient K
