Best Laid Plans
I love baby dedications; I think I cry every single time. We were incredible blessed yesterday to dedicate our sweet Baby M to God before our church family. Our family joined us at church and we were more than excited. But in the true spirit of unpredictability, M decided that he didn't like being on stage, and he screamed the entire time. Who would have thought that my sweet mellow child would be the one to absolutely freak out during his dedication? Not me. I was flustered, embarrassed, and pretty upset. You have an idea of how something will go and you want to remember the day a certain way, and it's upsetting when things don't go as you imagine.
After the service, our pastor came up to us and said the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth. I was waiting for the inevitable, "Well... that was something else..." But instead, with a huge smile on his face, he said "That was cool". I'm sorry, what? Cool? He screamed the whole time, he tried to wriggle away, he wouldn't let you hold him, I don't have a clue what I said... Memorable, yes, but cool? And he meant it! He encouraged us by reminding us of the actual dedication - our public act of acknowledging that M is a gift from God and that we are giving him back to God and promising to raise him in the Lord.
It absolutely was cool. We stepped out in faith and publicly placed our sweet baby in God's hands. We promised to pray for him every day. We promised to teach him God's word and trust that God has his future in his hands. Our church came along side us and promised to do the same. Zach and I both grew up in the church and learned early on that family runs deeper than blood. Our church is our family. And they promised to love him and pray for him and help us train him in the Lord, even when he's screaming.
After the service, our pastor came up to us and said the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth. I was waiting for the inevitable, "Well... that was something else..." But instead, with a huge smile on his face, he said "That was cool". I'm sorry, what? Cool? He screamed the whole time, he tried to wriggle away, he wouldn't let you hold him, I don't have a clue what I said... Memorable, yes, but cool? And he meant it! He encouraged us by reminding us of the actual dedication - our public act of acknowledging that M is a gift from God and that we are giving him back to God and promising to raise him in the Lord.
It absolutely was cool. We stepped out in faith and publicly placed our sweet baby in God's hands. We promised to pray for him every day. We promised to teach him God's word and trust that God has his future in his hands. Our church came along side us and promised to do the same. Zach and I both grew up in the church and learned early on that family runs deeper than blood. Our church is our family. And they promised to love him and pray for him and help us train him in the Lord, even when he's screaming.
I thought it was "cool" also. You did a great job up there despite the "distraction". M is growing up to be such a beautiful little boy who knows what he wants (and doesn't want) to do. From what I can tell you guys are doing a great job! Parenthood is far from predictable, but it is amazing. What a blessing you two are to M, and an inspiration to me.
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