Think of the people you have admired in your lifetime. The ladies I’ve admired were good at things I aspired to. A few were outstanding professionals in my field, but most were ordinary women who lived their faith, lovingly serving others.  When I was a young teenager, I admired my best friend’s mom. Her home was always clean and organized, but that wasn’t the best thing. She had a houseful of kids, yet she was always ready to listen and laugh while she worked.  I saw that she was ready to listen to her kids, me included, as well as hurting women who would call her for encouragement. She genuinely cared about and for others.  She was exactly what this self-centered teenager needed as a role model.  Her imprint is deep in my life.  Now I have a friend who has had countless people over for a meal.  She somehow knows who needs friendship, and a delicious meal to lift their spirits. She visits the sick (and takes meals).  She willingly babysits her many grandchildren. She teaches Bible classes to kids.  She is a faithful friend. Her example spurs me on to do the same.

I’ve been studying Hannah in the Bible in preparation for a kids’ play.  Wow!  She is so much what I want to be!  Here’s my scattered notes on Hannah.  See if you want to emulate her, too.  What areas do you need to work on?  I need to work on courage, honesty, and taking responsibility for fixing my problems.

She couldn’t win.  When she didn’t eat, she was chided for not eating.  When she didn’t drink, she was accused of being drunk.  But she met it all with grace.

“Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8

“Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 1 Samuel 1:14

She endured mean-spirited provocation, yet didn’t retaliate.  She didn’t lash out at the one bent on hurting her.  She didn’t fight battles she couldn’t win.  She didn’t spew hatefulness in return for insult. She remained silent in the face of purposeful irritation from a rival.

“her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.”  1 Samuel 1:6-7

She was sad, but didn’t ‘stuff’ her emotions.  She honestly expressed her grief without blaming others for her sorrow.

She knew that as much as he wanted to, her adoring husband couldn’t fix the problem. And she didn’t expect him to.

She didn’t blame her husband for the problem, taking out her hurt and frustration on him.

She didn’t let her troubles drive her away from God.  She suffered for years, yet held onto her faith in God.

She took the initiative and went to God with her problem.  She earnestly, honestly made her request, pouring out her anguish and grief to God.

“Hannah stood up[from the table]. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son…”  1 Samuel 1:9-11

She didn’t ask for selfish reasons.  She intended to return the gift she asked for to God.

“…then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11

She kept on praying to the Lord.

“As she kept on praying to the Lord. . .”  1 Samuel 1:12

She didn’t remain silent when accused of bad behavior.  She gave a respectful, honest explanation without shrinking back, or being defensive and angry at the false accusation.

“Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 1 Samuel 1:13-14

She was respectful to God’s leader who had undeservedly accused her even though he hadn’t corrected his own sons who were engaged in very evil behavior.

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 1 Samuel 1:15-16

She had strong faith that God would answer and she walked in that trust with a happy heart.

“Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”  She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” 1 Samuel 1:17-18

She made a promise and kept it at great personal cost.

She had a plan and was able to defend it with clarity. She was determined, but not willful.

She had proved herself trustworthy so her husband trusted her good judgment.

“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.”  “Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good your word.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was . . . and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh.”  1 Samuel 1:21-24

She taught her child to love God by example. She walked the talk. She gave her beloved son back to God willingly.

“So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he [little Samuel]worshiped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel 1:28

Before she left her son with Eli at the Tabernacle, she prayed a deep prayer of praise.

She had studied God’s word, and her prayer reflected her understanding of God.

She asked God and she praised God in prayer.  Her prayer of praise lifted up God’s character – his power, knowledge, protection, and faithfulness.

I admire Hannah’s honesty and courage.  Her honesty with God.  Her honesty and courage with clueless Eli.  Her courage to stick to her plan and finish her vow.

I admire her respect which was tempered with courage.  She respected priest Eli, but stood up for herself.  She respected her loving husband, but stood up for her plan.

I admire that she wasn’t a pushover, but she wasn’t obstinate.

I admire her knowledge of how God shows up in the world.  That he is powerfully in control, yet shows favor to those who need and acknowledge him.