Barren to Fertile

11 She made this vow: "O LORD of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head."

(1 Samuel 1:11)

Hannah was married to Elkanah and had been unable to have children. Her situation was even more bitter because Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, had had several children. Although her disappointment caused her to turn down food and weep in anguish, she did not turn her pain on those around her. Instead, she took her petition to God. She trusted that, in the midst of her circumstances, God cared for her, would hear her, and would answer. Hannah's womb may have been barren but her spirit was fertile - ready with expectation for what God would do.

Rather caused by floods or brush fire, shuttered businesses or vacant houses, inactive wombs or empty nests, a barren place is a prime location to plant hope. We can leave our deepest desires and wildest dreams in God's ever-creating hands, and walk confidently into the night assured of the coming dawn.

17 Then Eli answered, "Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him." 18 And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your sight." Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

(1 Samuel 1:17-18)