Dedication

Sunday after Eve's birthday, we participated in a child dedication service at church. On that day, May 29, we made a public and formal commitment to raise our children in the Christian faith to be believers, followers, and children of Christ, and we asked friends and family to come alongside us to hold us accountable and uphold us in our commitment. Some may ask what the significance is, why we chose to do it. Lots of churches are different and lots of families are different. For us, this is what made sense. In the Bible there are multiple examples of parents dedicating their children to the Lord, including Mary, mother of Jesus. It is a way to acknowlege that the child is God's child, not our own, and to also realize the responsibility God has blessed us with, to guide them in the way they should go. As in marriage and baptism, I personally felt a need to make my commitment public.

I can't remember when my walk with Christ first began, when I recognized the sacrifice He made, my need for that sacrifice, and the significance in my life. I certainly have come to understand these truths at varying degrees different times in my life, and I'm sure I'm not close to a complete understanding, nor will I ever be. I also know that my life often doesn't reflect that I understand Christ's sacrifice and my need for it. If I could reflect that appropriately in my life, I'd be a lot less selfish, a lot more understanding, a lot less worrysome, and the list could go on forever. In fact, that's proof that I do need that perfect sacrifice from Christ. Without His death and resurrection, I'd be lost and without hope. What I do know is the many times God has been faithful to me. In times of "crisis" (I use that term loosely knowing what so many others endure), knowing the eternal hope of salvation and the promises of God have been the rock that has gotten me through. Knowing that God created me to be like Him. Knowing that He considers me His own, an heir of His salvation. Knowing that there is a greater plan that isn't about me, but He allows me to play a part. Knowing that He knows my name and everything about me. Knowing that He is always with me. Knowing that He humbled himself to a criminal's death, then overcame death just so we could be in a relationship of love and forgiveness. Knowing that He experienced the pain and suffering of life. Knowing that those will pass. Knowing that He is in control of the biggest and smallest things. Knowing that His love is not just for me, but for my friends and my enemies. Knowing that I did nothing, and can do nothing to deserve even an ounce of all of that. All of these things have changed my life. If I were not to share these with my precious children, His precious children, would be to rob them of life and hope. John, Eve, and Ellie, we love you so much, and our greatest desire for you, above all else, is for you to come to know Christ on a personal level, to seek His grace and mercy in your life, and to follow Him.

"I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." -Ephesians 3:14-21