Our son is just more than three months old.
Every day his personality emerges a bit more as he masters or starts to develop some new skill.
By new skill I mean giggling, cooing, rolling over to his back, holding his head up or keenly following an object with his eyes.
As parents we are constantly on the lookout for all of those developmental firsts.
For instance, with our first two daughters we have captured on video their very first, unaided footsteps – and we intend to capture that same moment for TJ in another nine months or so.
Additionally, in a few short weeks we’ll begin introducing him to solid foods – that’s another critical marker
To non-parents, I can see where they might roll their eyes at marking such achievements because everybody “walks, talks and eats.”
It’s a valid point in some regards.
I mean, what kind of a parent gets excited over a messy diaper?
This one.
When we first brought TJ home from the hospital I remember being nearly giddy over a consistent string of poopy diapers.
Obviously, it wasn’t the mess that was elating. I was excited because the dirty diaper demonstrated that our son’s digestive system was functioning properly AND that he was getting enough nutrition, which translated to the fact that he was progressing and growing.
I guess, to an outsider it seems silly to make a fuss about such “milestones” – but it’s not silly at all.
In fact, it can be quite profound when considered in the light of scripture.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2
While I don’t fully understand the transformative effect in my spirit that will enable me to see God and be “…as he is…” – I do know that I want my own son to be like me. Along the way he’ll become uniquely his own person – but still he’ll be like me.
I’ll do everything I can to help him develop toward that goal.
Right now, he doesn’t understand that – he’s a baby.
Similarly, I don’t fully understand my spiritual progression. But I’m sure that God still delights in my halting steps and spiritual gurglings.
I hope my spiritual development continues with the same certainty of my son’s physical maturity.
Until then, I’ll take it one diaper at a time.
Question: What’s a developmental milestone you have achieved mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically in your life?
