Spiritual Milk

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good…1 Peter 2:2-3.

A few days before Valentine’s Day last February, my son-in-law, Andrew, text me and asked if I would watch Gabe that Friday night, who was almost six-months old at that time!  I immediately responded back…”Absolutely” and then asked if he needed me to watch Gabe’s older two brothers!!

Andrew called me back and said that he was hoping to surprise Bekah, with an overnight trip!  He had already asked his mother to care for the older two brothers, and was wondering if I would be willing to keep Gabe overnight! 

Trust me…he didn’t have to ask me twice!  I was thrilled with the thought of keeping this precious baby overnight!

Being the parents of three young boys who at that time were six-months old, two-years old and a recently turned four-year old, I’m sure these young parents could definitely use an evening together, so I was looking forward to helping them make it happen!

That precious baby arrived around 5:00 p.m. that evening!  I have been blessed to care for all three boys on different occasions, which I absolutely love!  However, I was thrilled with the thought of giving this little bundle of joy my undivided attention the next several hours!

He was such a sweetie!  He smiled…cooed…giggled and melted my heart as we interacted that evening!  I couldn’t get enough of his smiles and sweet face!

Soon, it was time to get him ready for bed!  Dressing him in clean jammies and a new diaper, I prepared his bottle and held him as we waited for his bottle to get warm!

As he eagerly drank his bottle, he would look up at me with those trusting eyes, and I just held him closer, loving him with my whole heart!

We did have a brief fussy period, so I walked and rocked him, cradling him in my arms as I tried to comfort him!

Gaby eventually finished his bottle and fell asleep in my arms! 

I just gazed down at his sweet face and thanked God for this precious little one!  I could have easily held him in my arms all night, but I reluctantly laid him in his crib, gently pulling the covers up around him!

Knowing this little one hadn’t been sleeping very well, I expected him to wake up after a short nap!

However, this little guy slept from approximately 7:15 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., which I thought was wonderful!

Cradling Gabe in my arms, I prepared his bottle for his 11:00 p.m. feeding!  He was warm and cozy as I held him in my arms.  He quickly drank his bottle and in no time at all, this little one had fallen back to sleep in my arms!

I gazed at his precious face…thanking God for this precious grandchild!  Again…reluctantly, I laid him in his crib…gently tucking him in.

We repeated this process again around 3:15 a.m.  Again, I enjoyed cuddling this little one in my arms!  (However, I know this is easier for me to say…I haven’t been waking up with him numerous times each night for the past six months), so I was able to enjoy this time with him!

Gabe woke me again around 6:00 a.m. that morning!  Once again, I prepared his bottle and snuggled him as he devoured his milk!

As I looked at his sweet face…taking in the necessary nutrients for him to grow strong and be healthy, I too thought of the necessity for each of us to replenish our bodies with the daily nutrients that we need.

God’s word states, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good”…1 Peter 2:2-3.

When babies are young, they can only handle small amounts of breast milk or formula, but as they grow and mature, it is necessary for them to drink larger quantities of milk…eventually adding vegetables, fruits and meats to their diet!

As new or young Christians, we are like small babies! 

Just as babies grow and develop…seeking greater amounts of nourishment at different stages in their young lives…as young Christians, it is important for us to “crave spiritual milk”…helping us to grow and mature in the Lord!

We begin attending church…we begin reading God’s word…and hopefully, as we grow and mature in the Lord…we desire more and more of Him!

Not only do we read God’s word…we begin to study it…meditate upon it…seeking wisdom from His word and how we should apply it to our daily lives!

We join small groups, providing us an opportunity to fellowship with other Christians.  We study God’s word together…we pray together…allowing us to encouraging one another in our daily walk!

It has been six months since Gabe’s first sleepover…and as you can see, he has noticeably grown a lot these past few months.

And prayerfully…you and I have grown as well over the last six months!

Dear Heavenly Father…Help each of us to crave spiritual milk!  Help us to make it a priority to spend time with you…reading and studying your word…attending bible studies and church…and fellowshipping with other Christians so that we may grow and mature in You!