When Hannah dedicated Samuel to God, she meant business. She didn’t just take him to the temple for dedication; she left him there. She turned him over to Eli to bring him up in God’s service.

As I listened to a preacher talk about Hannah’s commitment, I began to wonder who gets our children today? Samuel was continually taught and instructed by Eli in God’s temple. Who teaches our kids? Let’s probe that question.

Is it TV and movies? How many hours of instruction does the electronic mass media give them each day?

Is it school? Do we know what is going on in the classroom? Are there any philosophies we need to combat?

Is it peers? Do we realize that as our children grow older the stronger this influence becomes? Are we giving them a solid moral base so that wise decisions become natural during their teen years?

Is it the Lord? How much time and effort do we spend to make sure our children know that a relationship with the Lord is the basis for security, peace, and contentment?

We can’t do what Hannah did. But we can turn them over to God through our instruction and example.

Who gets our kids? God should.

  — Dave Branon