Little babies grow fast. To a nursing mother it can seem like they want to eat all the time. Often, a healthy baby will initially want to eat every two hours, and then every four hours. A baby often doubles its weight in about four months. But some babies have what is called “failure to thrive.” These babies, for a myriad of reasons either don’t want to eat, can’t eat or can’t utilize what they do eat. And because they are malnourished, they don’t gain height or weight that is normal for babies.
- “become disinterested in their surroundings
- avoid eye contact
- become irritable
- not reach developmental milestones like sitting up, walking, and talking at the usual age” (https://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growth/failure_thrive.html accessed 09/13/12)
(And baby Brayden, seems to be saying, “Not me? I love to eat!” And I’m right there with you, Brayden. I love to eat too!)
- become disinterested in anything beyond ourselves. I think they call that selfish.
- avoid eye contact. Refuse correction or any voice that doesn’t reinforce my selfishness.
- become irritable. This doesn’t need explanation.
- not reach developmental milestones. Walking in love. Turning away from evil influences. Forgiveness. Giving. Serving. Obedience.
Hebrews 6:1 NLT So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.
Hebrews 5:14 NLT Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right.
To Grow Up there are prepostions that we need to nurture.
- Eat UP the Word
- Look UP
- Stand UP for what is right, according to God’s Word
- Put ON the whole Armor of God
- Grow IN faith
- Live OUT what it says
- Realize we never OUT grow our need for Christ.