"You must give me your firstborn sons." Exodus 22:29b
I only have one son. My firstborn is my one and only. I remember, as if it were yesterday, the Sunday of his dedication service at church. All our family and friends attended the early service that morning. My twin sister wrote a song and both my sisters shared in the ministry of music. As our Pastor held our infant son, my husband and I dedicated him to the Lord and promised to raise him in the strength and admonition of the Lord. We vowed to do all we could to train him and teach him about God, that early in his life he might come to a saving faith in Christ.
My mind often goes back to that day. It was a solemn and sacred occasion. Although it was a one-time event, it is a daily surrendering. As my little boy began to grow I had to recall my release of him into God's hands over and over again. The first day of preschool. Leaving him in the care of others. The September he started Kindergarten. Taking him to swimming lessons. Dropping him off at volleyball camp. Sleep-overs. Skiing - both downhill and on the water. Holding my breath as I waited anxiously outside piano examination rooms. Biking...on the road. All too soon it will be car keys in his hands, University at the door, and another young woman loving him.
As he continues to grow, I watch him making choices. Choices that have grown from a solid faith in Jesus Christ. Counsel given. Decisions made. I watch as my precious little chum becomes a young man. More responsibility. Wings unfurled. Skies to soar. The longing inside me to hold on, yet remembering that moment of dedication and knowing he lives best in God's Hands.
This song dissolves me to a bucket of tears, but it is my prayer for my son as I dedicate him again to the Lord today.
4 comments:
Beauitful. As a parent, grandparent, and educator...I truly wish great things for them.
Loved the video, too. Thanks for sharing.
Joy,
Again, what a great job you have done in sharing your heart and your faith with us! I don't comment every day but I do try to read your commentaries on the Bible reading every day. Thanks for being so faithful to share!
God bless you!
Marilyn
How profoundly I felt the "offering" of the first born son 2 years ago when he began to make preparations to move on. It nearly killed me. Now, as I stand on threshold of another letting go, it seems less strained, but I am still praying for God's strength to give me the grace to walk it through.
My kids are my heart and might just well be my crowning achievement on this side of eternity.
It is a "daily dedication"--this raising up of our kids and their release therein. When we give them to God, they're stored in a safe place...a better place.
Thanks for sharing here, Joy. And thanks for being the giving person that you are. I, too, like to give good gifts to others.
peace~elaine
Joy, Such a sweet glimpse of a mother's heart...I also pondered this verse and stopped to relive that day. I also pondered the whole firstborn son plague and took a good long look at my firstborn son and gave him into God's protection all over again too. It's a minute by minute surrender is it not?
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