Sunday, January 24, 2010

dedication sunday

Today was Baby Dedication Sunday at church. Wow. It's been a long road to get here. Last year, on this Sunday, we played hooky and stayed in bed. I knew I wouldn't be strong enough to sit through the service, looking at all the beautiful, healthy, alive babies that had been born in 2008. The weight of Gabe's absence would have been overwhelming.

But this morning, this morning, God finally gave us our day.



Mike (Elder and Sunday School Teacher Extraordinaire) said a little more about Jonah than the typical "name, parents, grandparents" info. He had asked me to email him earlier in the week to let him know what we'd like shared. I knew there would be many folks in the audience who either didn't know about Jonah or were guests, so it was important to me that things be explained a little. Anyway, he explained about Gabe dying and then Jonah being born with EB. And when he gave the stat about the mortality rate being 87% in the first year of life and that Jonah would be celebrating his first birthday on February 27th, the place broke out in (what seemed to be, to my mommy heart, thunderous) applause.

And it was beautiful.

(And I cried.)

Peyton took some video for me, but I can't post it because a) I don't know how to post video recorded to a DVD, b) it is long and I would have to use Vimeo, and I haven't had time to figure that out yet, and c) I have a new video camera and haven't figured out how to finalize videos etc. (It sure used to be easier with those huge video cameras and VHS tapes. I really wish I was tech savvy.)

Anyway, it was a great day, and I can't really put into words what it meant to us to finally be up there, with our baby, committing ourselves to raise him up to know and love Jesus. Preacher Bill kept calling us, the parents, "custodians," explaining that our children belong to God, and we are just the temporary caregivers. Part of the commitment we repeated was that we understood that our kids were only ours for a "short while" and ultimately they are God's.

I think we're just a "show the love" filter - loving our babies the best we can so they'll know what a relationship with God can offer, which is infinitely more than the love we can show them. And I want Jonah to always think, "Can anyone possibly love me more than my mom and dad? That's some kind of love."

I love you, sweet Jonah. I'll never forget today for as long as I live. You did great, and your Mommy held it together pretty well too, ya know, considering.

39 comments:

Baby Bird said...

I hate that I didn't get to see that today but I was rejoicing with you in spirit, sweet Patrice! God is so good! Thank you Father for these past 11 months and the many more to come!
HUGS to you all! Aimee

The Rigelsky Family said...

SO happy for you!!!!

Janel said...

I just cried with you a little!

So happy for you and Matt and especially Jonah!!

Love ya! J

Katie said...

I love you.

jenlar3 said...

What a great day for all of you! A great blessing from God!!

trooppetrie said...

so excited that you had a greaat day. so glad everyone else got to hear what a blessing he is

Sewconsult said...

The tears are rolling down my face, making it difficult to see the screen. What a wonderful post. I am so happy for you.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN

Anonymous said...

I can only imagine what an amazing feeling that was. May God continue to bless you, Sweet Jonah.

Nashville TV Show said...

How wonderful! I smiled just at the post title & then my eyes quickly filled with tears. As happy as I could possibly be for a family that I've never met. Congratulations on such a special day!!

Alison said...

What a great day! I'm crying all the way from Australia!

erin said...

brought tears to my eyes! i am sooo glad you got to dedicate jonah to Jesus! such a blessing~can't wait to see the video..hope ya'll have a great weekend. much love and blessings~erin

Angie Davis said...

tears, tears, tears. so happy for you this day. not a day goes by that i don't pray for you and your little one!

angie davis (friend of the tuckers)

Unknown said...

Patrice, I'm crying just reading about your day at church. How beautiful. Praying you figure out the video and we can see some day.

Blessings, Mari

Rachel said...

So cool. Our daughter was dedicated in church today too!!!

Sara & Jeff Line said...

We've never met, but I check your website daily to see how you and your family are doing. I just wanted to let you know how amazing I think you are. You've performed miracles every day, and you've filled your son's life with love and compassion. While he may face incredible challenges, Jonah is truly lucky to have such fabulous parents. He's a happy, handsome kid who I'm sure will continue to thrive with you on his side.

Sara said...

Wow, what a wonderful post!!The tears are flowing here, happy tears :)

Penny said...

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one crying! I am so moved by Jonah and you and Matt, his incredible parents.

What a wonderful service for you, I cherish our baby dedications....

WendyBee said...

Oh, I am weeping tears of joy!
WendyBee

Toni :O) said...

Congrats sweet family and what a tremendous milestone to be a part of...Yay for Jonut! Yippee and may God continue to always bless you.

Heather said...

AWESOME!

Laura A said...

Hi Patrice-

This is SO amazing - am crying along with you (and probably all the other readers too!)

At our church, whenever a baby is baptized (we're Presbyterian heathens, so we do that early on LOL), we sing the Doxology at the end of the baptism. I can't think of anything more fitting than this for you, Matt and Jonah.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!

As always, lots of love and prayers from TX!
Laura

Country Roads said...

Happiness for Jonah and his family on his dedication. You're always in our prayers.

Jen said...

Oh this is sooo sweet. I had tears, just reading about it.
It's just so perfect.

Nikki said...

That's just beautiful... congratulations to all of you on an awesome and God-glorifying day!

Wanda Wilkinson said...

Thank you for sharing this--so special so wonderful for this miracle.

May God continue to bless all of you.

Love

Karen said...

Oh how moving! Tears here too! Blessing to you all!

Karen

Stephens Family News said...

So glad that all went well for Jonah's Baby Dedication! What a great blessing for your family...and to be able to share this with your Church family...wonderful! :o)

purejoy said...

kleenex alert!! wow!! such an incredible milestone and reminder that our children are not our own.

he's precious!

Janet said...

So happy for you! What a wonderful feeling. Now, I'm waiting patiently for Jonah's 11 month post!

Libby said...

How wonderful--congratulations! I'm sure Jonah will grow to be a faithful follower of Jesus, especially with you and Matt to guide and love him.

Laura said...

So thankful...I just had to swallow really hard!

Laura said...

So thankful...I just had to swallow really hard!

So happy for you and sweet Jonah.

Becca B. said...

What an amazing blessing.

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

Love it, love it, love it! So glad to hear how beautiful it was. Love you all!

Nancy said...

WOW!! Awesome, just awesome. I have goose bumps.

Annointed Beauty said...

My sister, I have added Jonah to my site and will help you in your endeavors. Remember the God we serve is bigger than any situation and He will bring you through.

He is the ultimate physician, healer and even raises the dead. Hallulujah! Jonah is in good hands.

Visit our site to see Jonah's Button and keep me posted on his progress. I love testimonies and girlllll you are destined for an even bigger one. Besides Jonah is a Pisces like me Feb. 22nd. He is a fighter!

Visit Us

Debbie,mother of two said...

Oh, that is so nice. I remember those special days at church with my babies. I am so glad you got to feel that and have that memory with Jonah.

Rene said...

I loved getting to share the baby dedication with you! It was really neat that Jonah was the closest in age to Kara. Haven't been able to get on here this week. It has been crazy, but I loved this post. It made me cry happy tears for you as well. Let me know if you ever need anything. I am close by and happy to help! I loved getting to meet your beautiful baby in person. Hope that you have a great weekend even if we are snowed in. Rene

Erin said...

Oh so wonderful! Tears here in NY.

Beautiful post!