Babyish ways

There is a word, “babyish ways”. Recently, I had a chance to talk to a person who is suffering from this problem. There are many symptoms but some people don’t do what they could do before. It seems to be a common reaction for a boy or a girl when a younger brother or sister was born although he or she is still young. When they go to a kindergarten or a day-care center, they get sick or don’t want to go there. The reason might be uncertainty over independence with growth, affirmation toward parent’s love, and so on.

Christians has 2 birthdays. The first one is to be born in this world and the second one is to be born again as a Christian. In short, Christians experience a baby twice but how is babyish ways? It is different with each other but many people experience the same thing after they are born again. Right after we believe Jesus or come to Sunday service, of course, we need other people’s support. However, we are taught to grow not only relying on other people with time. When we had cried, our mother had hugged us but later on, mother told us not to cry or why we cry. Mother had fed us but later on, mother told us to use a spoon by ourselves. This is the same experience.

How has a grown-up person dealt with? (In Japan, when there is an over-possessive person or a spoiler among family members or relatives, it’s often the case that the one who is suffering a babyish ways.) God’s grace or acceptance as we are won’t be changed but our Father rejoices our growth because He loves us so much. In Thessalonians, it says Paul and others thanked God because they saw the sign of growth, which is mutual love. The Lord lets churches in Japan grow and tries to build us in His love.

2 Peter 3:18