Giving Them Back

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28

About an hour after my 4^th baby was born, my oldest daughter asked, “Mama, are you going to give him back?” She was only six and I’d just given birth, so I wasn’t expecting such a deep question.

This little boy’s conception and dedication were especially significant for me.

After having three children, we decided our family was complete. A few years later, I ached for another baby to mother, but we found conception wasn’t coming easily.

I knew our family had another child to come, but didn’t know how or when and all I could do was trust His timing and will for our family. I also felt we were dealing with the consequences of taking things into our own hands and trusting our own wisdom regarding family planning. I prayed for forgiveness and knew I would not take conception for granted again.

A week after submitting a letter of infertility to our adoption agency, I learned we were expecting!

When we dedicated this precious boy, my perspective was different compared to our other children’s services. While I knew we were publicly declaring that we would raise them in the ways of Truth and not the ways of the world, I had a stronger appreciation.

As we dedicated our 5^th child yesterday, I was again reminded how blessed we are to have been entrusted with five precious souls: two beautiful girls and three boys who, Lord Willing, will be strong Spiritual leaders of their families. Parenting is a huge responsibility and we don’t take this charge lightly.

As the Pastor read, “Children are an heritage of the Lord,” it reaffirmed that we do not “own” our children—they have been entrusted to us to bring up in His ways. Our job as parents is to train them up in the way they should go. (Proverbs 22:6)

While there are moments in which I want to hang on to them and say, “NO! These are mine,” I know there’s no better place for them to be than in the center of God’s Will.

Sharing with The Modest Mom.

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Sara Elizabeth Dunn

Sara Elizabeth is a Christian homeschooling mom to 7, a birth and postpartum doula, and a special needs advocate. Having both typically-developing and special needs children, ranging from preschool through adult, she not only understands the unique challenges of teaching several children with different learning styles and abilities, she has experience balancing therapy schedules with family life. Her passions include sharing home remedies, homeschooling tips, encouraging mothers and most importantly, making it all less intimidating.

Comments

Kathy says

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This is a great story. Thank you for sharing. It helps me remember to hold onto God and trust Him that He knows best.

A Mama's Story says

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Kathy, thanks for visiting. You’re very right! It can be hard sometimes to trust, but it helps to look back and see all the ways He has seen us through. 🙂

Renee says

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Thanks for sharing your sweet testimony of submission. Many blessings on your beautiful family!

A Mama's Story says

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Thank you, Renee, blessings to you as well.

Wendy M says

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It was lovely to visit your blog and read about your beautiful family. Yes, children are indeed a blessing from the Lord and it is indeed a responsibility to bring them up in the ways of the Lord. You will be blessed for doing so. I don’t have physical children of my own (step children and spiritual children – yes). These too are a great and tremendous blessing. xx

A Mama's Story says

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Wendy, your “step-children and spiritual children” are very important, too. 🙂 I have a step-mom who has been just as integral as my biological mom, in my becoming the woman I am today.

Thanks for visiting!

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