For the first three months, this little girl made me very sick and very tired. For the next sixth months, my pregnancy was so great and I carried her with great anticipation. God had given us our first girl. I wonder what she would look like, if she was healthy, and I prayed for her often. I prayed for her health, her life, and I as many of you know I spent many hours praying for her name. After nine months, she came into this world in a hurry, almost too quickly. We welcomed Ms. Anna Katherine Perdue into our family on April 9 and 5 weeks later we were given the opportunity to dedicate and give her back to the Lord.

God has given a beautiful gift in her with an awesome responsibility of caring for this gift, but also the wonderful privilege of enjoying her. Children are a gift from God. Because she belongs to God and was given by grace as a gift to us, it is only proper and appropriate that she be dedicated back to God.

On Mother’s Day, Jim and I dedicated this precious little girl back to Him. This is the time where we promise to to do as God commands in Deuteronomy 6. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Our prayer for all of our children is that our home, our life, and service to Him will lead our children into a relationship with Him at a very young age and that they will live for Him every day without regrets.

Here are a few pictures from her dedication. Funny story about the dress: Nana, Jim’s mom, bought this dress and bonnet along with a blue outfit for Jake before he was born. Since we didn’t know his gender she bought two outfits. When he was born I put the pink dress away and waited to have a little girl. Anna Kate wore to dress to be dedicated. I thought it was only appropriate that Anna Kate wear it to her dedication. Thanks, Nana.

Children are a gift from God. Psalm 127:3 proclaims that “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.” As believers we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God. God in his goodness gives children as gifts to parents. They not only have the awesome responsibility of caring for this gift, but also the wonderful privilege of enjoying the gift. Because children belong to God and are given by grace as gifts to parents, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to God.