Random Musings/Dedication

Josephine texted me today about Oliver's dedication. I was pleased. My daughter and her husband are going to publicly promise to do their best to raise Oliver to love and honor God. They won't promise to raise him as a good Nazarene or even a good Church of Christ. They will promise to raise him to fear and love God. That's it. Period. Honestly, is there anything else that really matters? Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Everything else is just details.
I still remember the year Josephine came home for Christmas and told us about Richard. We were sitting at Rib Crib eating our Ribwich sandwiches. Josephine kept wringing her hands looking at her green fingernails. Something was on her mind. We had no idea what was simmering inside her.
Finally, still focused on those nails, she told us she was seeing someone "and" he was coming to see her at Christmas. She explained they were in a "committed dating relationship." That was it. The way she'd been acting, I wasn't sure what to expect. She gave us a few details and I accepted the challenge of moving the conversation elsewhere. What a challenge!
Josephine had looked at 3 Nazarene Colleges before deciding on LCU. They were in Ohio, Ca and OK. Part of the reason she chose LCU was because we would allow her to take her car. A decision based on a lot of knee time before God. While she was at LCU, she was involved is SS, and had participated in choir for a little while at Lubbock First Church. She knew a few people from the church who attended LCU but most of her friends were Church of Christ. We were fine with that.
Our trust was in God. Not our parenting skills. :-)
At LCU she attended chapel and learned about the Church of Christ through chapel and several instructors. I will never forget the day she told me they sing without instruments in chapel. She also pointed out "we sound pretty good."
This man Josephine so nervously told us about at Rib Crib was a nice guy. We knew that. He had to love Jesus, otherwise God would not have led them to each other. They never shared a class. Never saw each other at chapel. Had no contact at school. It was through a small group of friends that they came together. Obviously, God was doing the leading.
The morning Richard officially asked Bill for Josephine's hand was... humorous. Josephine had gone downtown with me to walk and Java Loft. Bill was in the family room getting dressed. Richard had spent the night before in the camper. He came in the house nervously, walking in on Bill struggling to pull up his Jobst stockings. That made the situation a little more nerve-wracking, I'm sure. :-) Short story: Richard asked "May I?" and Bill asked him to "love her."She was then handed over to Richard ... and God.
So many times in her life I've had to re-hand Josephine over to the very capable hands of God. I've had to rest in the fact Bill & I didn't raise her alone. We had a family of supporters and prayer partners. More importantly, we had a wonderful, all-knowing God who was actively involved in all our lives.
Oliver is going to be dedicated. He will be handed over to His Creator, the one who gave us this wonderful gift in the first place. May I do my part. May we all do our part to pray for and guide Josephine and Richard. May we be living role models to encourage Oliver and his parents "Trust in God with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." Ps 3:4-6. May Richard and Josephine and Oliver find the strength to do just that in the years ahead.
I love to read about Hannah in the book of Samuel. She promised God that if He would give her a son she would "give him completely, unreservedly to you." Samuel was dedicated. In many ways, Oliver already has been, too. :-) Now, we'll do it before man and God.