And if being dedicated isn't special enough, Gabriel was also the 1st baby to be dedicated at the Encounter Service in the RNC. I just thought that that was super cool!
A few weeks earlier Pastor Brian asked Matt and I to write a prayer for Gabriel. It needed to be short, which is no easy feat for me but eventually we figured out what our prayer for Gabe is. This is what Matt prayed for us (I don't like public speaking):
"Our prayer for Gabriel is that he always knows how much he's loved; by his family, by his biological family and by God. That he fervently believes Jeremiah 29:11, knowing deep in his soul that from conception God had a plan for him. We pray that Gabriel remains a child of God through out his whole life and that as God allowed us to adopt him, we pray that he allows himself to be adopted into Jesus' family. We pray that he follows Jesus, becoming more and more Christlike and always lets his light shine."
Pastor Brian spoke of not only dedicating Gabe to God but of the commitment Matt and I were making to God to raise Gabriel to love the Lord and to follow Him all of his life. Pastor Brian also chose a scripture verse for Gabriel. A verse that will be prayed over Gabe for the rest of his life by Matt and I and one that Pastor Brian felt was significant for Gabe. He picked Proverbs 3:5-6.
"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."
Oh, I love that verse and not only will it be a significant scripture verse to Gabe, it is also significant to me and I'm imagining many other couples who are battling infertility or traveling the winding road of adoption. It wasn't until I let go of my will for my life and family and listened to God did the doors of adoption open leading us to Gabriel. And it wasn't until I learned how to freely trust God (which, honestly is a day to day struggle) was I able to stop trying to understand why things were happening and understand that God was, and always is, in control.
The dedication was beautiful and we are so grateful for Pastor Brian for dedicating our son to God. What made my heart even happier Sunday was that almost all of my family was there. Mom and Dad (who attend with us anyways), Matt's mom, Matt, Mariah and Caleb, Michael, Annie and Sam, Justin, Chris, Tony (who attends with us too) and Gabe's great grandma Thomas all came to bear witness to this joyful occasion!
And because I'm a goober and was messing around with my camera's shutter speed, most of the pictures my SIL took turned out blurry... but here's a few that made it :)
Pastor Brian praying for Gabriel (and us :) )
Super studly in his sweater vest.
3 comments:
Glad you had a special dedication day, too!! I love that verse from Proverbs...I need to stamp that on my heart, in my mind, etc., etc.
I am looking forward to seeing where God leads your steps! One thing's for sure, it's an adventure!!
~ Dardi
Seriously adorable. LOVE his little outfit too! What a precious family you are- I know God was rejoicing with you!
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