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Dedicating Our Children to the Lord

Happy Mother’s Day weekend!

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

Being a mom is the greatest privilege and an answered prayer for many of us. I am a mom of two young children, and although there are some days where I am completely exhausted, I feel so blessed. Recently, my third child died in utero at five months gestation which was truly heartbreaking. At my twelve-week checkup, we had been informed that our son had a serious chromosomal defect, which made life outside the womb impossible. Abortion was suggested multiple times by doctors and specialists; however, we chose to love and protect our son as long as God allowed us to. I cherished every ultrasound. He kicked and moved his arms, and his heartbeat was so strong. I felt that motherly bond instantly and fell in love with this sweet little boy who I knew would meet Jesus soon. Our son, Elijah Benjamin, was born on April 19th. We held him gently as we dedicated and gave him right back to the Lord. Losing your child, regardless of age, is not easy. I have been overwhelmed with emotions the past few weeks, but I am at peace knowing that Elijah is enjoying Heaven with our Father.

This experience led me to think of the prophet Samuel’s mom, Hannah. She had wanted a baby for so long! She would go to the temple to pray and desperately ask God to give her a child. We read: In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.  And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…”2 This couldn’t have been an easy vow to make considering how much she longed for this son. However, Hannah kept her vow and took Samuel back to the temple to dedicate his life to serving the Lord.

As parents, we do our best to raise our children in God’s ways and pray that they will remember this once they are grown. I would love to be able to be with my kids all the time and take care of them, but the truth is, only God can do that. When we choose to dedicate our children to the Lord daily through prayer, we can be at peace knowing that God is in control and will be with them every step of the way.

Moms, you are amazing! You are loved, appreciated, and we celebrate you. God has chosen you to carry out such an important task in raising your children. Whether your children are young or old, I encourage you to keep praying for them and dedicating them to God daily. Your work is not in vain. May God bless you and keep you today and always.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please bless our moms. Give us strength, courage, energy, and guidance to raise the children you have given us. Like Hannah, may we dedicate them to you on a daily basis, knowing that you have a perfect plan for their lives and you have chosen us to partake in it. Allow us to cherish the moments, give us wisdom to guide our children, and may they learn to love you and others through our example. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Devotional written by: Crystal Bonilla

 

1.   1. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (NIV).

2.   2. 1 Samuel 1:10-11 (NIV).

 

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All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.