Dedication Verses

A few months ago we got Bri dedicated. If you don't know what that means, it's basically getting up in front of the church and promising to raise your child for the Lord.  I'm not going to lie, just thinking about getting up in front of a couple hundred people practically gives me hives.  Sheesh, what we won't do for our kids, am I right? 

Well, we've done this with all 3 of the girls now. And each time we've done a dedication, it feels more significant it to me.

Maybe it's because I have a few years of parenting under my belt now and I realize just how valuable it is to train my kids and teach them how to love and serve the Lord.  And to promise - in front of others and the Lord - to do just that.  For me, dedication has become a huge commitment....not just something I should do because that's what church people do.

As is custom in our church, for each dedication we chose some scripture to "give" to our children to guide them in life.  When preparing for Brianna's dedication, I looked back at what we chose for the older girls and I just found myself being thankful we had done this.  Maybe I'm just sentimental, but I love how they have a verse that's "theirs" from the time they were born.  One that was prayed for them and over them.  And still is. 

Here's what we chose for each of our girls:

Rylie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

(This verse was one of our favorites and felt like if we had to pick one verse for our first child to live by in the Bible, this would be it!)

Austyn

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

(Out of all the verses I've put to memory, the Lord brings this one to my mind most often.  We thought it would be a great verse for Austyn to be able to turn to in every stage of life.)

Brianna

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them was meant to be. 
Psalm 139:13-16

(We chose this for her because, as our third child, we wanted her to know she was created uniquely and wonderfully by God.  Also, the Lord really laid this verse on my heart while I was pregnant with her.)

Our verse/promise to our girls from us

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:16-19a