Some moments settle so deeply into your heart that words feel almost too small to hold them. Our baby dedication for Stella Luna was one of those moments.
As we stood before our church family, holding her in our arms, my mind immediately went to this verse:
“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19 (ESV)
That is exactly what I felt in that moment. A quiet, sacred pause. A deep awareness that this was not just a ceremony, but a testimony of what God has already done and a surrender of what we are trusting Him to do next.
A Testimony of God’s Faithfulness
Stella’s birth story is filled with God’s hand. From the beginning, her life has been a reminder that the Lord is near, that He hears prayers, and that He works even when circumstances feel uncertain or overwhelming.
Standing there during her dedication felt like a holy marker. A reminder that her life belongs to God before it belongs to us. A reminder that He is the author of her story and that He has been faithful in every detail already.
This dedication was not about perfection. It was about obedience. It was about acknowledging that we cannot raise our children on our own strength. We need the Lord. We need His wisdom, His grace, and His covering.
The Weight of “Lasts”
This dedication carried a weight that surprised me. Stella is our last baby. This was our final baby dedication. Our last time standing before the church with an infant in our arms, promising to point a little heart toward Jesus.
There was joy.
There was gratitude.
And there was also a gentle ache, knowing how quickly these seasons pass.
I found myself holding her a little tighter, soaking in every second, trying to memorize how it felt. These are the moments you don’t want to rush through. The ones you want to ponder, just like Mary did.
Not Meant to Do This Alone
One of the most beautiful parts of the dedication was knowing we are not walking this parenting journey alone.
Our church prayed over us. They committed to coming alongside our family, encouraging us, supporting us, and helping point our children to Christ. That kind of community is a gift.
But beyond the walls of the church, we are also deeply thankful for family and friends who pray for our children, speak truth over them, love them well, and show up for our family. Parenting was never meant to be done in isolation. God designed it to be shared, supported, and strengthened through community.
Knowing that Stella is surrounded by people who love Jesus and love her is something I will never take for granted.
A Prayer Over Her Life
As we stood there, my heart whispered quiet prayers.
That she would know Jesus early.
That she would walk in truth.
That she would be surrounded by godly influences.
That our home would always point her back to Christ.
And that when we fall short, as parents inevitably do, God’s grace would fill the gaps.
This dedication was a reminder that our role is to be faithful, to teach, to love, and to surrender the outcome to the Lord.
Treasuring the Moment
I keep coming back to that verse. Mary treasured and pondered. She did not rush past the moment. She held it, reflected on it, and trusted God with the future.
That is what I want to do too.
I want to treasure these moments.
I want to ponder God’s goodness.
I want to remember His faithfulness when the days feel long or hard.
Because these milestones matter. They shape us just as much as they shape our children.
I am so thankful for a God who meets us in these sacred moments. A God who entrusts us with these little lives. And a God who walks with us as we raise them, one prayer-filled step at a time.
May I never forget how it felt to stand there, holding my baby, surrounded by prayer, trusting God with her life, and pondering all that He has done and all that He will continue to do.
Living Life with a Purpose 