Sunday, November 11, 2012

Dedicating Our Kids

This weekend we participated in our churches baby dedication ceremony.  Different churches have different things that they do in regards to children.  Some baptize babies, some sprinkle or christen.  As Baptists, we dedicate our children to the Lord.  We basically make a public profession to our church that we will commit to raising our child in a godly home and raise them to be followers of Christ.

A couple of weeks ago we were all in the car and Lola asked me what was I most afraid of?  I immediately responded, "Birds.  Duh."  That's a whole other post in itself.  They laughed because they realize that's ridiculous.  That's because they've never been attacked by a wild bird.  Again, another post.  She then asked Keith what his biggest fear was?  He responds, "My biggest fear is that any of my children won't grow up loving the Lord and having a personal relationship with Him."  A little too deep for our kids to fully grasp, but oh so true.  It brings tears to my eyes to think about one of our kids not walking with our Father throughout their lives. 


There have been times in my life that I have strayed from my relationship with the Lord.  Times that I was selfish and more concerned with my own wants than what the Lord wanted for me.  By His grace alone, I kept coming back and he kept forgiving me.  It's not about being perfect, we are all sinners.  It's not about doing good works, they won't get you through the gates of heaven.  It's about a personal relationship.  It's about seeking Him in everything we do.  It's about believing that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  It's about diving into his word and growing more and more spiritually.  I will never be a "perfect" christian.  There's no such thing.  I will, however, strive to walk more closely with Him than I did the day before.  I will strive to show our children everyday what a gift it is to follow Christ and pray without ceasing that they choose to do just that.

In honor of Thanksgiving and this being a month of openly giving thanks, I am so incredibly thankful that I live in a country where I can go to a place of worship and openly dedicate my children to the Lord. 


I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.  3 John 1:4