These words from Hannah, in the book named after her child (1 Samuel 1:24-28), whose prayers for having this child were answered, resonate through all ages.

The Infant Samuel brought by Hanna to Eli by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout (1621–1674)

Would it be that all mothers, all parents, exclaim these words!  Of course, any good and responsible Christian parent has his child baptized shortly after birth, making the infant a child of God.  But shouldn’t we desire in the depths of our being that our children “be dedicated to the Lord,” whether in the priesthood or consecrated life (this so needs to be encouraged or at least welcomed) or just in always striving to do the will of God?

Every child is a gift (born or unborn), whether pregnancy comes easy or, like with Hannah, only after much time and difficulty.  In any case, ultimately, we all belong to our heavenly Father and our hearts are restless until we rest in Him.  So let’s dedicate our children and rededicate ourselves to seeking God’s will and then following it.