Hannah’s Story – Year by Year

In a time when fertility meant everything to a woman, Hannah was barren.  Imagine how hard it was to be surrounded by people who have the very thing that you desire.  Even those who love you the most may not understand your pain.  This seemed to be the case with Hannah’s husband, Elkanah.  We are told in 1 Samuel 1:5 that he loved Hannah and, yet, in verse 8 it is clear that he did not understand her grief.

I can not tell you how many times I have encountered this.  I know you just lost your job, but at least you have your health.  I know that break-up hurt, but there are lots of fish in the sea.  I know you would like to be a stay-at-home mom, but at least you have this great job.  I’m sorry about the miscarriage, but you can always try again.  I’m sorry that…but… Don’t get me wrong.  Sometimes very well intentioned people just say the wrong things.  I am reminded of Proverbs 14:10…

The heart knows it’s own bitterness…

Sometimes it is just not possible for another human to know or understand our pain.  Yet, I find great comfort in Psalm 44:21…

…For He knows the secrets of the heart.

He knows.  Nothing is hidden from Him.  He knows our desires and He knows our hurts.  There is never a time when we are in pain and God is shaking His head and saying, I don’t know what the big deal is. God hurts when we hurt.  There are times, however, when we’re hurting and God is pleading with us…I know you’re struggling, but please just trust Me.

I read 1 Samuel chapter 1 several times…over and over.  And one little phrase kept jumping out at me.

So it was, year by year… – 1 Samuel 1:7

If we’re not careful, it is easy to read the story of Hannah as if it all happened over night.  She was barren.  She prayed.  She had a baby boy. But, that is not how it happened.  She wept and prayed and was tormented for years.  In verse 6 we are told that she was “miserable” and then verse 7 tells us that “So it was, year by year…”  I know someone can relate to that kind of pain–that kind of waiting–don’t you?