a dedication

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A Baby Dedication is a ceremony (intentional moment) in which believing parents, and sometimes entire families, make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God’s will and to raise that child according to God’s Word and God’s ways.

Practical applications may include:
1) Dedicating a child acknowledges God’s sovereignty over the child and the parents.
2) Vow to raise the child in a godly way: teaching and training them in God’s word and ways.  Church attendance, family devotions, prayer in the home.
3) Raise the child in the ways of God, not according to our own ways. Be an example of Christ’s love to them. Discipline them as the Bible instructs.
4) Pray for this child.  For them to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and glorify Him with their lives.

I’ve had six of my  children dedicated at our church.  After Tucker’s death, I delayed Isaac’s dedication ceremony.  For one, because the first opportunity was on Mother’s Day – which is already a difficult- bitter-sweet day for me.   Especially in that first year of grieving.  Second, because I had to complete the conversations in my head and heart with God about baby dedication in my grief.

A baby dedication is a purposeful time of prayer in entrusting our children to the Lord’s care.   I had entrusted Tucker into the Lord’s care, and he died.  His death caused me anguish.   Yet, despite my sorrow and grief, I came to terms and believed that the Lord has perfect plans for Tucker, that all Tucker’s days were ordained by the Lord before one of them came to be (Psalm 139) and that Tucker was still in the Lord’s care:  secure, hope-full, whole and well in Heaven.

Children are a gift from the Lord. Psalm 127:3 proclaims that “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.”
They are not a personal possession that we have rights over.  Or, control over.    They are gift from God above to love and cherish for as long as He sustains their life on earth.

The Lord girded me up, and I had Isaac dedicated in 2007.

This past Sunday, September 27th, 2009, I once again stood before my Lord, friends and family in another baby dedication.   Isaiah and Eden Grace.    I am honored and grateful  that the Lord has chosen ME to mother these children.

Irv and I prefer the entire family participate in the dedication. We discussed with the Biggies the meaning of a dedication and how they can choose to agree in their hearts before the Lord  to help raise the Littles,  by being good examples and leading them in righteous living and loving kindness.

Our sweet Grandma’s and friends the McO’s were witnesses to this divine event, along with our WBC congregation.

We celebrated afterwards at our home.  Sandwiches from Grandma Wegmans.  And my sister-friend Julie blessed and surprised us with the MOST STUPENDOUS cake ever …. thank you UpperCrust!

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isaac participated as well at the front of the sanctuary

isaac participated as well at the front of the sanctuary

the most beautiful cake I've ever seen in my life!

the most beautiful cake I've ever seen!

half -and - half ... by the uppercrust

half -and - half ... by the UpperCrust

princess Eden

princess Eden

ymmy butter cream frosting cones

yummy butter cream frosting cones

my beautiful princess!

my beautiful princess!

Some of the above thoughts I wrote in 2007 to myself.  At that time, I also collected info online, so some of the words might not all be mine.  If any words are indeed not mine,  I don’t know who’s they are…. but I wouldn’t want to claim them on accident  I can’t remember details from yesterday, let alone 2007!

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Comments

Beautiful family Darci!



Aw, congrats and God bless!



baby dedications bring tears to my eyes as i think about and acknowlege the great blessing and gift children are from the Lord. we are going to have isaac and sadie dedicated at the same time in the few months!

that cake was spectacular!!!



Baby dedication is one of my most favorite things. Of course we dedicate them before we even hold them, but it is special to do it publically with your church family.



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