That is poverty of spirit: to love the things that God has given you to complete your life, but to be ready to give them back to Him if He requires them, and to give them at once—not grudgingly, not with reservations and grumblings, but readily, eagerly, if possible joyfully—and to give them back even though it is in darkness, even though there seems no sense in it and the future is black and the world seems, in consequence, empty and cold.  –Father Gerald Vann ‘Mary’s Answer for Our Troubled Times’

Song of Hannah

“As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the LORD, and abide there for ever.”

Hannah also prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in thy salvation.  “There is none holy like the LORD, there is none besides thee; there is no rock like our God.  Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.  The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.  Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.  The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.  The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.  He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and on them he has set the world.  “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones; but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail.  The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”