dedication

On January 22, we dedicated our sweet little Gavin to the Lord.

In stripes.

Yes, I realize that you can't really tell where I end and Gavin begins.  I just didn't have time that morning to do anything about it once I did realize.

What I didn't realize was that Mason was in stripes also.  Until someone pointed it out to us after we were on stage.

 It was such a neat thing to stand on stage with so many great friends that morning. 

Having friends with the same intentions for their kiddos as we do is so important. 

They help hold us accountable and keep us surrounded by love and support.

They give us a sense of community.  The kind of community that so many don't have.  And that we are so very thankful for. 

This was the first time to dedicate one of our babies since our dear friends' sweet Cora went to heaven. 

And to be completely honest and open, this dedication hit us harder and deeper than with either of our other babies.  

During worship that morning, as we sang the words

 "He gives and takes away...my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name."

my eyes filled with tears (as usual with this song).

But this particular morning, it was so fitting for what we were about to do.

God gave us Gavin, as he has given each of our other children.  They are His.

And we are blessed, honored, thankful and completely undeserving to be able to be the parents He chose for them. 

He has a good and perfect plan for each of them.  Every moment of their lives were written in His book while they were still being knit in the womb.

He loves them more than Dave and I can even comprehend.

And we must trust him completely with them.

 

 Raising children in the instruction of the Lord is not easy.

But not teaching them the ways of the Lord is like not teaching them how to eat, how to read, how to not touch the hot stove, or how to not run into the street in front of cars.

We teach them these skills to keep them safe and to help them be successful in this world.

And when we truly understand and accept the fact that they were created soley for God's own glory (as we all are)...we realize that our daily instruction and guidance needs to take on a completely different focus than what the world around us leads us to believe.

It's not easy.  And really, it doesn't come natural.  It's a daily commitment.  Sometimes an hourly commitment on the rough days.  And I mess up all the time.

But they are our gift. And as much as I want to believe that I know what's best for them, and that I can keep them safe and that I can teach them all they need to know to get through this life...

I have to remember that they are His.  And by helping my children to know Him intimately, will be the single most important thing I can ever do in their little lives.

We are thankful for the gift that sweet Gavin is to our family.

And we pray that we can guide his little feet, eyes and heart to follow Jesus in all he does.