On Jan. 29th, our family will be taking part in a “baby dedication” within our faith community.
(I use quotation marks because our boys aren’t exactly babies anymore – they’ll be 15 months old on Jan 21.)
This isn’t an infant baptism or similar ceremony as some might be accustomed to, but it’s more of a commitment celebration for us as parents and our larger community to say that we will commit to fight for our children and work to teach them and lead them in the way of Christ.
As part of the lead-up to this celebration and commitment, we were asked to write a description of the type of person we hope our children will be in the next 18 years. I’ve written some of this before on my own, but I want to share this list as well.
And while both boys will definitely have their own unique personalities and strengths and weaknesses, I pray that this list will come true for both of them — as well as any children we might have in the future…
- Christ follower
- Loving
- Grace-filled
- Compassionate
- Forgiver
- Fighter for justice
- Strong servant leader
- Patient
- Thankful
- Focused on others over self
And our prayer for our boys is this passage from Colossians 3…
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ – the Message – have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
I pray that as a father, I will lead my boys to live these traits out through my own example — first and foremost. May they always have a living example of what these characteristics look like in me.
What dreams and hopes do you have for your children?
I thank God for the way He is working in the lives of our family through you, Laurie, Hayden, and Ian. I’m very encouraged by your example of being a “Christ follower.” God bless you all, always, and in all ways.