In Hope that She Will Belong Wholly to the Lord

Our little Kalia Joy was dedicated to the Lord on Mother’s Day. We had the privilege of dedicating Carysse on the 1^st Mother’s Day after her birth so I wanted to do the same for Kalia. I truly enjoy being part of the baby dedication services at my church. The pastor gives a short word about children & dedications. Then the parents commit to strive by grace to fulfill the parental promises. Those promises are:

1. Do you recognize these children as the gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing?

2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?

3. Do you pledge as parents that, with God's fatherly help, you will bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives?

4. Do you promise to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?

5. Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that by God's grace your children will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?

After the parental promises are recited, the pastor goes to each child and gives the Words of Dedication, "Together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claim upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever."

What a wonderful way to glorify the Lord for giving us these precious gifts of children! Also, these dedication services remind me to continue to entrust my children to His care all of their days. What a high calling to be a parent…Praise Jesus we NEVER have to do it alone.