060827 Steeple Article "Newborn"

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).
As our newborn grandson, Canon, opened his eyes and responded to sounds in the birthing room we remarked: “how blessed are his eyes, for they see, and his ears, for they hear” (Matthew 13:16). Canon’s older brothers’ senses are more developed and his mother and father’s much further. Our spiritual growth will continue throughout eternity in God’s Kingdom when we feed on God’s love and grace.
The young crave food so they may grow up strong and healthy. We are to grow up in our salvation by craving spiritual milk. This comparison was hard to understand when our family spent a night of fretful anguish that led to our daughter’s emergency C-section. Annemarie and I quickly relearned how to endure the daily and nightly vigil of tending to her two and five year old boys. Whimpers escalated to frenzied screams in the middle of the night. Our bodies ached and our heads throbbed as we took turns stumbling to satisfy hunger, change a wet diaper or walking the floor while embracing a child.
God hears our cries and knows our individual needs better than we can recognize our children's cry. Crying children and other needful folk may fail to notice the comfort others are trying to give. Similarly, the aching and exhausted parent or other caregiver may fail to notice how God wants to care for his or her need for help, patience, and wisdom while serving others. God's loving arms can support your body as you hold and walk the floor with the child. God's word will feed your soul while you feed a hungry baby or take care of others’ needs.
At times we do not perceive God’s communication with us, because of too many noises and distractions in our lives. If we are not listening, we will not hear God. You can train yourself to listen to God’s comfort and guidance through prayer, studying the Bible, and living in a church community of compassion and hope with other Christians.
God promises to always make you, bare you, carry you, and save you (Isaiah 46:4). As with each person in our Dexter community, I commit Canon to God's care and keeping, knowing that the One "who has promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).
Exercise your God given birthright and grow in salvation by praying: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me new life when You cross out my sin with Your saving grace in Jesus Christ. I receive and accept Your Grace that transforms me before my next breath so that I can step out and clasp Your hand. Please guide and sustain parents of newborns and their children. Thank You for giving me spiritual milk to grow in Your salvation. Help me to trust You for everything, all the time.
Please remind me to listen for Your voice as recorded in the holy scriptures, interpreted with good reason, and taught and shared in church attendance with other believers. Thank You for new birth that washes away sins of the past and opens up the future. Help me to live each day as a newborn Christian. In the blessed name of Jesus Christ, Amen.