I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. ~The Bible
Tiny fingers, tiny toes
Checked out with delight.
Dark hair, bright blue eyes
All there, all perfect,
All celebrated.
Uniquely created by God.
Tucked in her heart
A promise of potential,
Of servanthood and joy,
To live for God by loving others...
Here, Lord, she's yours,
Through babyhood and toddler.
Here, Lord, she's yours,
Through primary school and junior high.
Here, Lord, she's yours,
Through the high school years.
Here, Lord, she's yours.
And now, at the university,
Here, Lord, she's still yours.
I've learned something this week. I've learned it was so much easier to dedicate my child to God in the baby stage than it is to keep her dedicated in the university days. When Rev. Sankey prayed, "I dedicate Emily Diane in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," there was a quick, resounding "yes" in my heart. "Yes" to doing everything in my power to raise Emily in a godly way. To model Jesus and to show her the presence of joy in living and working for Jesus. To encourage her through praise and discipline. The yes was immediate and sure.
You see, in the early years I was in control. I guided her to the right friends, helped fill her heart with Scripture, and monitored her actions and attitudes. I partnered with God.
This week, however, I had to ask myself if I could say, Here, Lord, she's still yours. Saying goodbye was difficult this time. The last time she went to Haiti we knew some of the team. This time I don't even know the team leader (although RB does). This time she's making her decisions. It was much harder to tell God she's His.
We're in Chicago, Momma.
She's yours, Lord
We're sitting on the runway waiting for the storm to pass.
She's yours, Lord
It's hailing so they have to check the plane before we leave.
She's yours, Lord
There's a tornado watch all through Chicago.
She's yours, Lord.
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We made Miami with an hour to spare.
She's yours, Lord
A long day with no contact.
She's yours, Lord
Yesterday did seem like a long day and then, just before bedtime, I found her leader's Facebook page, and there she was, my Emily with joy in her eyes, ready to sail to the island of La Gonave where the team will minister in an orphanage. Only following Jesus can give her that glow. She's yours, Lord, came a bit more quickly.
This morning, an email message ended with "His!" And she is His. I've spent her lifetime giving her to God time after time. That doesn't mean I won't miss her throughout the next ten days. I can assure you those "missies" will be nipping at my heels each step I take. But I can also say with confidence, whether home or across the sea -- Here, Lord, she's yours.
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Tiny fingers, tiny toes
Checked out with delight.
Dark hair, bright blue eyesAll there, all perfect,
All celebrated.
Uniquely created by God.
Tucked in her heart
A promise of potential,
Of servanthood and joy,
To live for God by loving others...
Here, Lord, she's yours,
Through babyhood and toddler.
Here, Lord, she's yours,
Through primary school and junior high.
Here, Lord, she's yours,
Through the high school years.
Here, Lord, she's yours.
And now, at the university,
Here, Lord, she's still yours.
You see, in the early years I was in control. I guided her to the right friends, helped fill her heart with Scripture, and monitored her actions and attitudes. I partnered with God.
This week, however, I had to ask myself if I could say, Here, Lord, she's still yours. Saying goodbye was difficult this time. The last time she went to Haiti we knew some of the team. This time I don't even know the team leader (although RB does). This time she's making her decisions. It was much harder to tell God she's His.
We're in Chicago, Momma.
She's yours, Lord
We're sitting on the runway waiting for the storm to pass.
She's yours, Lord
It's hailing so they have to check the plane before we leave.
She's yours, Lord
There's a tornado watch all through Chicago.
She's yours, Lord.
.jpg)
We made Miami with an hour to spare.She's yours, Lord
A long day with no contact.
She's yours, Lord
Yesterday did seem like a long day and then, just before bedtime, I found her leader's Facebook page, and there she was, my Emily with joy in her eyes, ready to sail to the island of La Gonave where the team will minister in an orphanage. Only following Jesus can give her that glow. She's yours, Lord, came a bit more quickly.
This morning, an email message ended with "His!" And she is His. I've spent her lifetime giving her to God time after time. That doesn't mean I won't miss her throughout the next ten days. I can assure you those "missies" will be nipping at my heels each step I take. But I can also say with confidence, whether home or across the sea -- Here, Lord, she's yours.
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27 comments:
Beautiful... reminds me of the story of Abraham and Isaac.
Dear Pamela, I'll be praying for your precious Emily. What a delightful young lady she is--letting her light shine for Jesus, and oh how brightly she shines!
What a touching post, Pamela...just beautiful. We do this over and over don't we and it sometimes easy...sometimes not so easy! This touched my mother heart!
This "momma" job is so hard, isn't it??! Beautiful post! She is His, and His plans are always better than ours:))
Beautiful post, of your overconfidence and love for our heavenly father!
I breathed a prayer for Emily and for you. So glad that we can trust HIM!
Enjoyed your post about your sweet daughter! So glad that when we can't (physically) be there for those we love --- we can be there through prayer! AND who better to trust our loved ones to than our Loving Heavenly Father?!
What a touching post about giving your daughter in GOd's hands. And I am mother myself, living in Norway, but have three of my four children in the philippines and grandchildren, I can only say to God " God their lives is in your hands. Be with them as you are with me. I really miss them so much. Like you miss your daughter when she is away.Blessings!
Simply beautiful - and a wonderful testimony to YOUR faithfulness as well as hers!
This post tugs at a Mom's heartstrings! It's so hard to keep giving our kids to Jesus.... if not Him, who could we trust them with ? Bless you!
I love your heart so much. You are such a light and I am blessed every time I visit. I gree with you we can't go everywhere our child goes, but God can. He is our children heavenly Father, and He is fully capable of protecting them. Thank you for sharing your beautiful post.
All the days of their lives we place them into our Father's hands. It is difficult to let go and allow them to make their own choices in live. Your sweet Emily is making those right choices because you have guided her in those early days when you were the one in control. Trust - that is what we now must do, just simply trust the Holy Spirit now to guide our children.
I'm not there yet, o I can only imagine--but imagine I can! Bless you both!
We dedicated them for life? Ah, good.
Just returned from 10 days in Seattle. Trying to catch up.
Thank you for the touching post! Your daughter is blessed to have you as a loving, Godly mother, mentor and example!
God bless,
Laurie
This is such a beautiful post, Pamela! It's hard to let our children go and trust them to the Lord. It needs constant prayer, as you so lovingly have reminded us. God bless you! I'm following your blog now and look forward to reading more.
I remember well the first time I opened my hands to God about my oldest daughter and said, "She's yours!" ...Still saying it today!
How wonderful she is on a trip to minister at an orphanage. I know you miss her. Praying they will be used mightily for God's glory and for their safety. Blessings ~ a beautiful post.
What a touching post, Pamela. And thanks for the reminder..our children ARE His. :)
Many blessings!
This is so true, Pamela. It's so hard to surrender our children to God's loving hands as they venture out into the world, serving our Savior. My son is graduating this Saturday from college. He plans to continue on in seminary, but it's clear to me that this is an exciting transition for him and a painful, scary one for me, a mom who doesn't want to let go! Sure, I will let him go and I will trust as you have here, but it is so very, very hard. My prayers are with you and your daughter, Pamela!
This is a very endearing mother-daughter story, Pamela. I could imagine you uttering those trust-filled words, with trepidation and yet with the sweet relief that comes in total surrender to God's will. Indeed, He is our Keeper.
Beautiful post! I'm watching my adult children walk out their own testimonies with the Lord now. The years fly by so quickly, but oh what a joy to see our kids diligently follow after the things of the Lord isn't it!
Lifting Emily up before the Lord now!
Blessings!
Jackie
This post touched my heart. I'm still in the earlier stages of giving my child to God, but I know time will continue to pass quickly and before I know it, I will be in a similar situation. Praying for your daughter and for you as she is away serving the God to whom she belongs.
Oh, my goddness, Pamela. This is good wisdom for me to soak in. Offering them up at all ages...it never gets easier, I guess. But, oh how freeing. He is the good shepherd. Praying for your girl, friend.
Oh my - the sort of dedication that makes a mother's heart ache. Your mantra of "She's yours, Lord," is powerful.
I still have young ones whom I worry about:) Thanks for this beautiful post! Just what I needed!
From babyhood they grow so fast and soon we are waving good bye as they begin life on their own. Regardless they are still in our hearts and daily in our prayers.
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