Mother's Day, Dedication & 1 Month Old

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers reading this! I love Mother's Day! It's a day set aside for you to show your momma just how much she means to you. Yesterday was was a pretty incredible Mother's Day for us. It was Monica's first Mother's Day, the day we had our boys dedicated back to the Lord, and they turned 1 month old! That's a pretty amazing day if you ask me.

We initially did not want to dedicate the boys on Mother's Day as not to steal away attention form the other mothers at our church or seem like we wanted the day to be about us and our boys. Due to work schedules and other family functions we had no other choice aside from waiting several more weeks. Our pastor thought it was a great idea and very fitting to have our sons dedicated on Monica's first Mother's Day.

It went pretty well. It was a beautiful ceremony and very well done by our pastor and his wife. Wouldn't you know it though, Jace & Jeriah slept through the entire service until it was time for their dedication. Then they woke up and decided they were hungry, lol. They were a little fussy and both released quite a bit of flatulence (just like their mother, haha!) but overall they did very well! Almost everyone in both of our families that was able to attend was there and it was a very precious moment for Monica and I.

We spent the rest of the day with family. Eating, napping, eating some more, spending more time with family and eating some more! Hey, Monica is nursing twins and I have CF, lol! We're allowed to eat like that! :)

It was a great Mother's Day!!!

Here's some of what our pastor said at the dedication followed by pictures!

Introduction

Psalm 127:3 NLT proclaims that "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him."

When Jeremy and Monica believed God for their miracle, this was the verse they clung to. God was gracious and heard their prayers. Now, that same verse is seen from a different perspective. These boys are a gift from the Lord, so, first and foremost they belong to God and it is only proper and appropriate that they are dedicated back to God.

Poem for Grandparents

The Lord has richly blessed you
In these little lives He’s given
Your precious little grandchildren
Are a wonderful new addition

These precious little bundles
Are a gift of God’s grace
And has a wonderful heritage,
A family with Godly faith

Grandparents have a special place
In their grandchildren’s lives
For they can share the love of God
And their faith in Jesus Christ.

© By M.S.Lowndes

 

ADDRESS CONGREGATION

The family is a divine institution ordained of God in the beginning of time. Children are a heritage of God and are committed to their parents for care, protection and training.

It is important that all parents recognize their obligation and responsibility to God in this matter.

Moses’ mother, Jochab, trained her child after she gave him to God. Hannah recognized that her child was Jehovah’s, because she received him as from God. She believed that God could do more for him and through him than she could do, so she gave him back to God while he was young and tender.

Her son’s name was Samuel which means “he was God asked,” because she prayed and God granted her request.

There are some mothers and fathers who are afraid to trust their children to God. Hannah wasn’t afraid. She said, “As long as he lives, he shall be the Lords.”

 

The New Testament says that Mary brought the young child, Jesus, to the temple and now Jeremy and Monica recognize the sacredness of their charge and bring back to God the treasure with which the Lord has entrusted them.

They publicly acknowledge their responsibility for the nurture and admonition of this child in the ways of Righteousness.

Meaning of Names and Associated Scriptures

Jeremy and Monica have carefully and intentionally named their children. The names are very fitting because the Word of God speaks to each one.

Your firstborn, Jace, finds is derived from the Hebrew names Jason and Joshua and means: “God is my salvation”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth”

Your second born, Jeriah, was named after the grandson of Levi, a priest, and means: “Jehovah Sees”

1 Peter 3:12 “the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers”

CHARGE TO PARENTS

Jeremy and Monica, you have chosen this day to dedicate your children to the Lord. This is not a trivial decision. There are many responsibilities that you will have if this ceremony is to be more than a sentimental gesture. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 6 :6, 7 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

Today, you are expressing your duty to provide a godly home and a godly environment for your sons. You are recognizing your responsibility to teach your children the principles of the Christian faith and raise them to give reverent attendance to both the public and private worship of God. You are dedicating yourselves to lead Jace and Jeriah into the love of God and into His service.

Charge to Friendship Assembly of God

Friendship Assembly of God, we also have a responsibility in the upbringing of these children and so, I present a challenge to you who attend:

Do all that you can to provide and support a place of worship where these children may hear the full counsel of God’s word.

Set an example by your lives and maintain an atmosphere in this church that will inspire them to desire a Christian way of life.           

          AND as often as God reminds you, pray for their salvation.

PRESENTATION OF ROSES

RED ROSE:         Father      

Jeremy, the color red symbolized the unique blood relationship that you have with your children. This relationship places you in direct authority in their lives. The Bible puts you in the unique position to be the priest and leader of your family. Take this responsibility with great seriousness. No one will do it for you. Lead your family in prayer and spiritual matters. Be the leader without being the dictator. Be a father that your young children can follow in life and into heaven.

The red rose also represents the work of Christ in giving his blood for the salvation of men and women. At the appropriate time, you are challenged to make sure that your sons have the plan of salvation made clear so a decision can be made by them for Christ. Follow that decision by assisting your childen to continue to grow as Christians and servants of God.

 

WHITE ROSE:    Mother

Monica, this white rose symbolizes purity. As the mother of these infants, it is your responsibility to instruct them in the value of living a pure life before man and God. Your duty is to maintain purity within your life and within your home as an example of the purity of Christ. The Bible challenges us to live a life without sin and above reproach. Your children will follow what you are far more than what you say. Maintain this purity with all of your strength. You are God's representative before your sons of His holiness.

The white rose also stands for the purity that comes from the righteousness of God that is given at the time of salvation. It is only by realizing the meaning of purity that the child will grasp the unholy nature of sin and choose to forsake it.

 

ROSE BUD:       Babies       

Now we present a rose bud for each twin. The rose buds have not yet revealed what they will be. The loveliness and potential is still locked within their tightly closed petals. With time, the roses within will be revealed. Like these rose buds, your babies have a future that will be revealed as they grow and develop. Unlike them, this future will be directly influenced by you. You are called upon to help these delicate lives unfold in a way that is honorable to God.

These lives have been given to you as a sacred trust. How you handle this trust will affect how their lives unfolds. Understand that God expects you to enlist His help
to accomplish this joyful task. Day by day, your sons will develop before you. Treat your children as the special gifts that they are. Well raised children are a joy to the parents and a blessing to God and society. Their lives are in your hands. Handle them with the care they deserve.