Abby's Baby Dedication

On January 9th, we had Abby dedicated in church. Actually, Pastor Kevin said it much better during the service. It was not so much a baby dedication as it was a dedicating of ourselves, as parents, to the best of our ability to train and raise up this child to know the Lord. What a task that is! But how great the reward! How do I know this task will be difficult? I have a two year old and I can't imagine how much more difficult it will be when he's a teenager.

It was neat because this week our ladies' bible study is starting 1 Samuel and of course, the book begins with Samuel. Hannah prayed (actually poured out her heart) to the Lord and asked for a child. The Lord remembers her and she gives birth to a son, Samuel. She is so thankful that she brings him to Shiloh and dedicates him to the Lord. What this means is that Samuel, between the ages of 2-4, went to live and serve God at the Tent of Meeting. What a thankful and unselfish heart Hannah had! The amazing thing is that God granted her other children after Samuel.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD . For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD ." And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1: 27-28