The scent of baby powder brought a smile to my lips. The baby in the crib wore an adorable sleeper covered with tiny baby ducks that seemed to dance upon the pretty sage green sheets. The child's rosy pink skin and gentle smile told me she was well cared for and happy. This cherub seemed out of place in a facility for disabled children.

I watched through a glass window as some two to five year olds played nearby. Many wore orthopedic devices, artificial appendages or used corrective apparatus to help them move around. It was apparent why each of those children was here.

When a nurse entered to attend to the small child in the crib, I asked the obvious question.

"If you don't mind my asking, why is this child here? It doesn't look as if there is anything wrong with her?"

She surprised me by not answering my question, but by asking me one.

"How old do you think this child is?"

I looked at the child carefully. She wasn't able to crawl yet, but she was certainly big enough that one might think she could.

"I would guess about six months old."

The nurse turned away from me as she began attending to the child's needs and I detected a hint of sadness in her voice as she answered. "She is eighteen."

An audible gasp found its way out of my mouth and the nurse turned back to me, knowing there would be more questions.

"But... how... what happened? How can that be?"

"She stopped growing. She was born with only part of her brain and her growth glands were affected as well. Both mentally and physically she will always be an infant. I've worked here for ten years and Carolyn hasn't changed in all that time. I remember when my own children outgrew their crib. I often wished I could keep them little so I could cuddle them forever. I don't feel that way anymore."

When I left the center that day I began to wonder about the Christian growth of some of my friends and even my own Christian growth. How many of us accept salvation from our Lord and never move forward from there. We want others to spoon feed us, clean us up when we dirty ourselves, and excuse our every mistake - all because we won't grow into responsible Adult Christians. Maybe its time we, who have the opportunity to grow up, take advantage of that wonderful gift.

~~~ Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

© Louise Bergman DuMont

Author, Louise Bergmann DuMont , has written for numerous periodicals, journals and ezines. Her work has appeared in Moody Magazine, Pockets,
The SpiritLed Writer and ComfortCafe, to name a few.

Louise is the author of two books, "Grace by the Cup: A Break From the Daily Grind" (Revel, Oct 2003)
and "Faith-Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day " (Revell, Jan 2005).
Her greatest passion is to share her Lord and her Savior with those who don't know Jesus and have not experienced His love. Her writing has led to numerous speaking engagements and has provided her with the opportunity to bring God's word to the world.
As the facilitator of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group (NJCWG) Louise is able to combine her desire to serve Christ with her passion to help new writers. Since its inception in the fall of 1999 Louise has been able to encourage numerous young writers.

www.louisedumont.com/ louisedumont at gmail.com njcwg.dumont at gmail.com

*********************************************************


For updates on news, articles,inspiration, tips, announcements and more, enter your email address in this form and receive the SEEDS Newsletter.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sign up for the "Seeds in Season Bible Study for Writers". A bible verse, prayer prompt and journal topic especially for your writing discipline and inspiration will be sent every week for a year. You may request the study at any time. Enter your email address in the "Seeds" form below submit!

Powered by Dada Mail ************************************************************************************** Are you happy? Check out Rejoice in 2007 Project!

"Did you know that happiness is the object and design of your existence? That God put you on this planet to experience joy? Isn't it about time you did? If you're ready to experience lasting joy and peace, join me at Rejoice in 2007! Through a series of FREE weekly exercises and periodic teleclasses, for a full year - you'll be guided through finding happiness in a balanced life: body, soul and spirit, and much more. Directed by Marnie Pehrson of www.BelieversAtWork.com * www.SheLovesGod.com www.IdeaMarketers.com * www.LocateACoach.com

**************************************************************************************

Do you have questions or comments? Do you want to share your salvation experience or your interests? Please email me on the contact page and let me know what you think of our site.

"Let my words drop as the rain,my speech distill as the dew, as the droplets on the fresh grass and as showers on the herbs" Deuteronomy 32:2,3 "I proclaim the name of the Lord and ascribe greatness to our God!"