Luke's Dedication

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. III John 1:4

If I could write a scripture, it would say:
"...and He blessed her with child, and wrote that child's name on her heart for eternity." Renee' Miller

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of being a Mother.

Yesterday was Luke's dedication at church. This is a ceremony when Matthew and I dedicate Luke to Christ. As our pastor, Tommy Nelson, defines it, "It is the public accountability of the parents to model a godly life and to raise their child in the disclipline and teaching of Jesus Christ and in the fellowship of His church." This is not a baptism; instead baptism is performed at the will of the child later in life when the child alone believes in the gospel.

The ceremony was perfect! Matthew, Hudson and I stood in front to dedicate Luke. At the end when everyone clapped, Hudson clapped so proudly and with such enthusiasm for his little brother. Opa, Memee, Papa & Mimi were all there for Luke's special dedication. Lucas wore his Daddy's dedication outfit from when he was a baby, which is also the outfit Hudson wore for his dedication ceremony.

The lady who organized this ceremony, Renee', gave Luke a special gift - an adorable stuffed frog, along with a little booklet containing a neat written message from her. In her message, she explains a very touching story about losing her son a few years ago at age 21 after a dirt bike accident and how the frog is symbolic to her. FROG stands for "Fully Rely On God". This handmade booklet of encouraging and uplifting words will be kept in Luke's baby book. After telling her moving personal story, she shares these words of encouragement that I will carry with me:

"As Ronny and I look back on different periods in our children's lives, some of our most precious memories are the simple pleasures - their smiles, their laughter, pictures of them just acting silly and geting to be childen. There were also those times we found ourselves so busy we didn't take the time to enjoy the sweet times enough... those times we found ourselves frustrated and didn't look to Him as our source of help.

As you begin this new adventure in your life with your precious new creation, I want to encourage you. God has entrusted you with this child for a time and a purpose. He will be with you as this little one grows (much too quickly). There will be joyous times - and there will be trying times - and in ALL those times God will be quietly by your side. You might consider it a "sacred mission"!

It is our hope that this simple little fluffy green frog will be a visual reminder that God is always patiently waiting for you to talk to Him about matters of the heart! Blessings to your new family..."
Ronny & Renee' Miller.

Fully Rely On God (FROG)