A Dedication......

Today, October 27, 2013.....My wife and I dedicated our 6 month old daughter back to the Lord.  Surrounded by family and friends at our church, we put her in the arms of our Pastor and friend as he prayed over her for today and in to her future. 

As everyone was taking their seats, I took to my position as the Assistant Pastor and stepped to the microphone to introduce our guests singer who was there to celebrate this moment with us as our family.  She is someone that has blessed our lives in such am amazing way to have her sing at this occasion was a blessing beyond measure.  As I began the introduction of our friend, I looked over at my family and friends who were there for support in an effort to simply acknowledge them all in thanks, when the spirit of God tapped my shoulder. 

All of a sudden, I was overrun with emotions and could barely get the next words out of my mouth when it all hit at once.  As I looked at those there in support...the family and close friends, I remembered who I used to be.  I remembered all those things I used to do.  I remembered just where I was when God found me.  I paused............and I told God in my heart......."I remember Lord."  As I tried to find the next words to move along, I paused...............and as the tears began to fill up my eyes, I told God, "Thank you...."  In that moment, I thought about just how dirty I used to be in my past.  I thought about the things I did when I was out there in the world, serving my self and my desires.  I thought about the hurt I caused so many people in my life from family to friends.  I thought about the violence that I lived within and that became who I was.  I thought about the sins of my past from the streets, sex and drugs.  I thought about the things that I have never shared with anyone.  The things that only myself and God know.  As I thought about all of those things, looking at my family, I had to pause.............to say "thank you...."  Looking at all those people who were there out of love for my wife, my kids....and me.....I knew that ONLY God would do something so amazing.  So amazing that he took someone like me, in all of my filth and picked me up, dusted me off, push me in a new direction and told me HE wants me to lead HIS children in a special way.  Only God could take someone like me and call me to teach HIS Holy Word and surround me, after all I have done to others, with those individuals I looked at today.  People who love me beyond my faults and many imperfections.  People who showed up in support because I asked them to. 

Looking at them today, at my daughters dedication, even the words I share now can't fully express what I felt in that moment.  The only thing I can say is I KNOW I don't deserve just what GOD has done for me. 

I dedicated all my children back to God, because I was able to dedicate myself to HIM.  ONLY because HE first dedicated HIMSELF to me.  Most of my life has been covered in dirt, but the longer I continue down the journey and path God has for me, prayerfully that balance will shift.  1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us....“eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” Simply translated...Our Best is Yet to Come.  This means eventually, our dirty days should be way outnumbered by the days we have lived in HIS joy.  I have dedicated everything that I am and everything I do to God......so that not just for me...but for my wife and our kids....the best is yet to come. 

I dedicate this to my five amazing kids......my NOW is for YOUR future. 

be blessed