Family by Choice: God’s Heart for Family Beyond BiologySample

Samuel – Dedicated to God, Raised in a Different Home

“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’ 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.’” (1 Samuel 1:20-23)

Hannah longed for a child, and when God blessed her with Samuel, she kept her promise to dedicate him to the Lord. She entrusted him to Eli the priest, who raised him in the temple and guided him in the ways of God.

Though Samuel did not grow up in his biological home, he was fostered by a godly man. Under Eli’s care, he learned to hear and obey God’s voice, eventually becoming one of Israel’s greatest prophets and leaders.

While the number of children in the foster system varies each year, it is estimated that more than 300,000 children in the United States require some form of foster care annually. The need is great—but so is the potential to make a difference.

Stability, love, and spiritual guidance have a profound and lasting impact on a child’s growth and identity. Just as Eli played a crucial role in Samuel’s development, foster families, mentors, and advocates today can help children reach their full potential and find their place in God’s plan. When we commit to walking alongside children with consistency and compassion, we create space for them to thrive and discover the purpose God has for their lives.

Call to Action:

Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can make a difference in a child’s life. Consider becoming a mentor to a child in need of guidance and support. Explore opportunities to volunteer with programs that serve children in foster care through educational, emotional, or spiritual support.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for the caregivers who offer stability, love, and guidance to children in need. Bless foster families with strength, wisdom, and compassion as they nurture the lives entrusted to them. May each child experience Your presence through the care they receive. Amen.