Dedicated unto the Lord

Benjamin and I experienced a sweet moment in our journey as parents - we dedicated our Winston Ace to the Lord.  In a Saturday night service at Ecclesia, Pastor Chris spoke words of blessing over Winston and anointed him with oil on his head.  The ceremony was simple and special to our hearts.

For me, it was the outward action of recognizing that Benjamin and I are caretakers of Winston as he is truly the Lord's set aside for a purpose.  The realization that the things we teach him and the ways that we encourage him to grow will shape his little personality and world view.  The values we instill in him and the outlets we provide for him to express his creativity will mold how he loves, listens and values others.  

Little baby had been teething hardcore, hence the hand in his mouth in almost every photo!  He also had a costume change after his moment on stage.  He had not been feeling the best but made it through the dedication service like a champ!

My prayer for my Winston is that he would...
... love God firstly and fully.
... follow, unabashedly, the plans that the Lord has for him.
... know that he has a family that loves him beyond words.
... love others well.
... be comfortable in his own skin.
... see each opportunity as an adventure.
... see that while life has challenges, they will always strengthen who he is.
... always know that he has a place at home.

Proverbs 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.