sophia was dedicated at church yesterday. although it was not the reason for the visit, it was so nice to have family in the audience. it helped me feel grounded... it was quick and different from either of the other dedications. but i was again reminded that i need Christ and his church to help me raise my children.
as i was thinking about sophia's dedication at sojourn, i started to get a bit funked out. we have dedicated our children in three different churches, in three different states. when you dedicate your child part of it is your commitment and declaration to try to raise your children to love God. knowing full well it will take help from God. but the other half of the dedication is the church body committing with you to help you, to be your helpers in the endeavor.
i started to feel like it was pointless to do the dedication. i mean, of all the places we have ever lived, louisville has the most definite time line.
but then i was struck with the reality that, the previous dedications have not been in vain at all of the different churches. i immediately thought of several families that are at whittier hills baptist church in southern california (where isaiah was dedicated) that still consistently speak in and are a part of our lives. then i thought of imago dei community (where alaythia was dedicated) and those that speak into our lives even 2300 miles away.
and i was encouraged.
there will be a handful from sojourn as well that will follow us. and i suddenly started to look at it different. instead of feeling fragmented and sorry for myself (and my kids), i started to realize that we have people all over the country, not just from these three churches. we have people from all different walks of life that are 'our' people. that are faithful to us, to pray for us, to pray for our kids.
and so, as i stood and looked at the crowd yesterday, full of faces that i didn't know, i thought of you. thought of those of you who, although you weren't there with us to witness it, stand with us daily and weekly in our pursuit of parenthood and teaching our children to be Christ followers.
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6 comments:
That is cool...I love going through your thoughts with you.
As an adult, I can now say I feel blessed to have lived in so many different places as a child. I love being connected to each one of them. It really expands your horizons and makes you a flexible person. Traveling is never a problem.
You and Matt are doing a great job!
In the crowd.
~Heather
Grateful to be living life with all of you whether close or far.
Bev
Grateful to be living life with all of you whether close or far.
Bev
Such a beautiful post Natalie. Our three have also been dedicated to the Lord in three different states and in three different loving parts of the Body of Christ! I agree with you, that it is good. . .a part of the whole thing makes me think of how breathtaking heaven will be! No matter where we go here on earth, there is the Bride of Christ, so it will be in heaven!!
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