Read: 

1 Samuel 1:21-22, 28 “When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, 'After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.’ And he worshiped the Lord there.”

Think: 

Letting go of our children can be a journey, whether it's sending them off to kindergarten, college, or witnessing their marriage. My wife, Lisa, and I intimately understand this emotional struggle, as we went through it firsthand when Laurie left home to attend college in Virginia Beach. The experience was challenging, and I won't say who it affected more. 

Now, consider the example of Hannah, who faced the heart-wrenching task of releasing her child, Samuel, at a remarkably young age. She entrusted him to the care of the temple when he was about three years old. Hannah's decision symbolized a profound act of faith and unwavering trust in God's divine plan. She firmly believed that aligning her own will with God's, and dedicating Samuel to his service, was fulfilling God's calling on Samuel's life. 

Handing over the reins of our children's lives to Jesus demands an exceptional level of faith. As our children continue to grow and evolve, we earnestly offer them up to God through our prayers. With each step in this process of letting go, we find peace and joy, knowing that God loves our kids even more than we do. 

Apply: 

Pray over your children today. Trust Jesus with the process. 

Pray: 

God, give me the strength and grace to release my children when they need to take steps of independence. Help me to see the big picture and realize that you have a plan and a process for their life. I trust them in your care. In Jesus' name. Amen