Good morning everyone and happy Friday! Even though it is the 13th, I hope your day is a lovely one!

Today’s scripture:

1 Samuel 2:18-21 (NRSV)

18 Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the Lord”; and then they would return to their home.

21 And the Lord took note of Hannah; she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

The picture above is of one of the most precious little humans I know, my niece Maiava. Maiava was born in June and is one of my favorite human beings. She has quite the little personality and is full of spunk.  Sure, she has amazing lungs but she uses them when she needs them. She also has my entire family wrapped around her little finger.

There are about 8 kiddos in the world that call me Aunt or Tia or Tia Court and I love them all very very dearly. They are funny and wise and I love pics from them and facetime dates.  Tia spoils them with books and lovin when I can. It was amazing to me though when I met little Maiava.  My sister in law was so amazing in giving birth to her and days later, when I met my niece I was amazed that this little person looked like my family. I could see us in her. From that moment I was totally bonded to this little one.

The other thing that I was totally in awe over was how my little brother and my sister in law became mommy and daddy over night.  When I first visited Maiava she was fussing and crying and my brother leaned over and said, “It’s ok. I’m here.” She quieted right down at the sound of her dad’s voice. Grant held her so tenderly and it was amazing for me to watch my brother become a daddy. I loved watching my parents become grandparents and I loved holding her as Auntie C.

This morning our scripture is about Samuel (we looked at Hannah’s song yesterday, his mom). Even though Hannah has given Samuel to the priest to be raised by God, she is still mommy to her son. She brings him a new robe each year and gave him the care that I am sure he so desperately loved. While I can’t imagine being separated like that from the little humans that you love, God gives Hannah such wealth in her life in this story. I believe that God gives her such wealth because of the love she still shows her people, not for the gift of Samuel but for the love with which she dotes on him still. He is not forgotten but Samuel is raised as valuable and in turn will treat his people also with such value. His mom sets the stage for how God wants GOd’s people to be treated…with care and tenderness and love.  Hannah takes care for this boy even when he “belongs” to God.

This scripture is about treating our precious ones as precious…blood or chosen…we must treat our people as tender and caring, full of love.  Love those around you today just that more carefully.

Ok…one more picture because I am that aunt….