31 March 2011

On Sunday we dedicated Pup to the Lord. I don't know what your church tradition is, but this one comes from the fact that Mary and Joseph dedicated Jesus to the Father when he was an infant. There is also precedence with Hannah dedicating Samuel, and maybe some other babies. I don't know as much about the background as I probably should. But when I read that Jesus was dedicated at the temple, that was good enough for me! :)At our church, the families who are dedicating their children come on stage and our pastor prays over them. Then, the rest of the staff have an opportunity to offer words of encouragement or prophesy. The staff have been praying, asking God what he wants to impart to these parents and children, and then they give these word-gifts to the families at the dedication during the Sunday service.Our pastor's wife told us that she had a very clear picture of Pup in early elementary school out on the playground. He was a leader among his peers and a champion of the underdog. He stuck up for those who were picked on and stood up for justice. She said it wasn't necessarily anything Aa and I had worked hard to impart to him; just part of his make-up, a gift of God for his life. Another pastor also confirmed that Pup would be a lover of his fellow man (and child!) and that he will be a defender of the weak. He went on to say that Pup will lead by example in this area.Of course, both Aa and I were teary as we heard these words of destiny spoken over our son. I had even toyed with the idea of naming him Justice because I felt some inklings of this before he was even born! I am amazed (again) by what God is doing in and through and for our son, before he is even 3 months old!