Hannah’s Arms

(I Samuel 1 & 2)

Hannah’s arms
they ache and tremble,
not with weariness
but with an
abundance of emptiness.

Desperation claws itself
out through parched lips
in silent prayers
of agonized longing.

Hannah’s lips move
tears ooze
heart cries out
for just one son.

Old Eli misunderstands
(and why not?
neglectful of his own sons for so long)
wonders if she’s drunk
as Hannah weeps
in bitterness of soul
“O Lord,
if you will just remember me….”

And indeed,

God remembered Hannah
with a boy….

who she gave back (!)
to the Giver
as promised
already (so soon)
when he was still so small.
(Surely a bittersweet gift
from God.)

How she trusted.
How she praised,
raised her Magnificat
with no promise
of more children
to fill her
empty (again) arms.

And amazingly,
her merciful God did fill her
womb
heart
arms
again
with 3 more sons and two daughters.

And Samuel
continued to grow
in stature
and in favor
with God
and men.

Who has known the mind of God?