Parent Dedication

On October 20th we had Parent Dedication at our Church.

Our little family!

Bennett in his cardigan and bow tie!

Bennett Lane,                                          October 20, 2013

     Your mom and I are so incredibly proud of you for all that you accomplish every day. Although it may not yet seem like much to the masses, we have watched you grow over the last 5 weeks in awe of what an incredible human being you have already become. We know beyond the shadow of a doubt that over the course of your existence you will touch the lives of many and we are beyond blessed to hold the title of mom and dad to our perfect little boy. 

     Six-thousand five-hundred and thirty three days. Its terrifying to think of how fast that time will disappear. Whats even scarier is that once it lapses we can never get it back. In six-thousand five-hundred and thirty-three days, when the clock strikes midnight you will officially be an 18 year old young man and will have the choice to leave our nest and venture out into the world all on your own. Until then, your mother and I will work tirelessly, selflessly, fairly and firmly to mold and develop you into the young man that we know you have the potential to become. Though you will be loved regardless of the choices you make or how often you may stumble, we will dedicate ourselves fully to being the best influence we can possible be to show you what "right" looks like. 

Psalm 25: 4-6 reads:

     Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 

     Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 

    

     As your loving parents, we will consistently steer you towards Jesus knowing full and well that he has the ability to love you far more than we could ever attempt to accomplish. In conjunction with teaching you about the sacrifice he made for you when he died on the cross, we will lean heavily on his written word when it comes to the many things we will passionately attempt to etch into your heart. 

"Please join us in prayer"

   Lord, we stand before you today in excitement and celebration of fully dedicating our son Bennett Lane Forbes to you. Initially, we began to make a list of character traits that we would love for Bennett to exude as he matures through life. Things like being the kind of man that will always put the benefit of others before the benefit of himself. The type of man that will open doors for women and graciously chase an elderly woman out the door of the grocery store to return her wallet that she forgot at the cash register. A man that can be effortlessly strong and courageous in the face of adversity, yet still allow himself to soften and shed a tear at the first sight of his newborn child. An honest and  genuine man who's word is worth its weight in diamonds. A man who can be the friend of all and the support system for those who need him most. A man who is willing to set his pride aside and admit when he is wrong. A man who loves his family more than life itself and would die to protect them. A man of passion. A man who looks at every day of his life as an opportunity to impact others in a positive way and truly wants to make a difference in this place we call our world. 

   The longer the list got, the more we realized that like everything else, the man Bennett Lane Forbes turns out to be isn't for us to decide. The man that he  turns out to be is going to be the man that you desire him to be, Lord.  Knowing that, we can rest assured that if you touch his heart a fraction of the amount that you have touched ours, the list of things we wrote on paper will be far exceeded to say the least. We pray that you guide us as parents and give us the strength to turn this precious life into one of meaning, desire and grace. We love you so much lord. In your name we pray. Amen. 

My parents

My Aunt Belinda and John

My best friend Ashley and her hubby