For This Child I Prayed

Our hallway is a walk of fame for what I hold dear in this life—my family. There are pictures of Jeff and me when we first got married, and the only thing we had to put in our laps was the dog. I can’t begin to tell you how I got Jeff to agree to that photo. I just chalk it up to young love. As the pictures age, Jeff’s hair gets thinner and mine changes shapes and colors; but eventually our photos became complete with a girl and a boy and a dog when I can sneak one in.

There are sections of the hallway dedicated to each child at varies stages of their lives. They are treasures to me. I have one frame that is a collage for each of them (you probably have one too) where I have put in their school picture each year. There is a place for pictures from kindergarten all the way to the 12th grade. The pictures are the little wallet size until you get to the senior year. The senior year is front and center suitable for a 5x7 photo with the caption “For This Child I Prayed” 1Samuel 1:27a.

The scripture, 1 Samuel 1:27a comes from the story of Hannah. She prayed for a child and promised God that if she had one, she would give him to the Lord. Hannah conceived and after Samuel was weaned, she took him to the house of the Lord to be given to His service.

This week, I filled in the big 5x7 spot for my daughter. The collage is full. The frame is complete. Through the tears, I wonder where the time has gone. I look at each precious photo and I think, “Why, it was just yesterday she was sitting on the kitchen counter laughing and wanting more chocolate pudding.” As the pictures show a growing girl, I remember great victories we shared and a few heartbreaks here and there, but every step of the way, “For This Child I Prayed.” 

My little girl is now a beautiful young lady. I have to wonder as she gets ready to start a new chapter of her life...Did I teach her everything she needs to know? Did I prepare her for what lies ahead? Oh Lord, I hope so. I pray that God will be gracious and fill in where I was lacking. 

She is the Lord’s, and I know He has wonderful plans for her. I am so blessed that He put her in my home. It is my greatest honor to say, “For This Child I Prayed.”