On December 4th we participated in the baby dedication at our church.
Deuce and I have our own individual faiths. We don’t always agree on things, but we both agree that we want Finley to grow up with a certain set of morals and standards. We want her to be immersed in a community that will care for her, and cherish her. When someone mentioned to us that there would be a baby dedication coming up at the church, we had a quick conversation about whether we wanted to participate and we decided we would.
I honestly didn’t know what the difference between a baby dedication/baptism was, so I did some research. I discovered I actually like dedications more. I don’t believe baptisms “save your soul” I believe they are a physical representation of a new found faith in Christ, so baptizing a baby doesn’t make much sense to me. However, a dedication is our outward declaration as her parents that we will be purposeful in our faith so that it will positively effect her life.
The children’s pastor at our church is very passionate about her job and I’m thankful for that. She asked us to listen to mini-sermons the week prior on what this dedication means to us now as well as in the future. Along with the sermons, we were asked to submit answers to some questions like “Write a description of the kind of person you hope your child will become over the next 18 years.” our answer was as follows “Finley means fair warrior, and we named her that for a reason. We want her to have strength, courage and tenacity in every area of her life. We want her to be deliberate in her relationships, we want all of this intention to come from her relationship with God. That she will be so intertwined in His love as she grows up that she will have no choice but to share that love with others around her. We want to see her follow her heart and be passionate about her life.
We want Finley to grow up with an eagerness to learn. not be afraid to question, to know that she is loved, and share her love with others, to always be open and accepting to the world around her, not to judge but be empathetic, to look at everything through open eyes and an open heart. “
At the service we and three other families were called up to the front where they showed a quick slideshow of pictures of the adorables we were holding, and then the Children’s pastor talked a bit to us/congregation on the importance of what this day meant. She read our answer to the homework, and then asked any friends and family invited to come forward to pray for us.
Now, I have a great group of friends. They are like family. Not many of them are church goers, so I knew that when they showed up to support us by sitting in a pew in our church, it was a big deal. As our pastor called friends and family up to pray for the parents, I imagined looking up and seeing a few of our friends come forward, what I saw was all 13 of them in a line coming down to the front. It meant so much to me, that yes, I got teary eyed.
The community Deuce and I have around us is something I have craved for years, and here it is. It is something beautiful and I cherish it. It means so much to know that our little girl is surrounded with people who are so honest, loving and genuinely caring people no matter their faith. They just love because they should. That is exactly what we want in Finley’s life, and I am so thankful it’s what we have.
PS. I am INFATUATED with this song.
Oh, Beth – I love how you write, and how you think – what an amazing event – to have those friends there – to feel what you and Deuce feel for your fair warrior. What a life this young woman in a baby is going to have!
Well, I don’t really wish I was your age – I’m too tired! 
Thank you for another thoughtful, thought-filled blog.
“a dedication is our outward declaration as her parents that we will be purposeful in our faith so that it will positively effect her life” – that is a wonderfulway to put this whole idea. I wish I was your age and in Denver to be your friend!