Recently my four-month-old grandson, A_, was to be dedicated in our church.  It is a simple part of our service in which the parents commit that they want God to use the child as He sees fit and they, as well as other family members and the church body commit to help raise the child in the Faith.

In explaining to A_'s 3-year-old brother, M_, what the ceremony was about, I had told him we were giving A_'s life to God, with the images of Samuel's and Jesus' dedications in my head.  With his parents and A_ up front with the pastor and others, my wife looked back and saw M_ quietly crying on the seat behind her.  She leaned down, asking, "What's wrong."

His reply was classic - "Grandma, I don't want to give baby brother away!  I wanna keep him!"

Quickly understanding what he meant, she assured him that baby brother was going home with them today and he didn't have to worry.  That's what I get for trying to keep an explanation brief with a 3-year-old.