The following poem, originally written for children, articulates how we receive faith. Also, it hopes to answer questions that parents who’ve lost their little ones  might be pondering.  For my barren sisters, you are an integral means by which God uses to bring the faith to the Church. Scripture highlights and supports each stanza, and the explanation at the end attempts to fill in any gaps. By God’s grace, may this poem edify and encourage us in the comfort of the Gospel.   – Melissa DeGroot

 

 Before the world was made,

God had us all in mind.

Even before we strayed

A union was designed.

“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love.” Ephesians 1:4

Some think faith is hard

to have at certain stages

But God tells us the truth

Jesus ignores ages.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:15-16

As babies grow in wombs,

Miracles have begun.

Our Father creates life,

So we might know His Son.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

All babies (and we) need Jesus,

Since sin has entered all.

Though babes look cute and sweet.

We’re all part of the Fall.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Romans 3:23-24

Good news! There’s forgiveness

Even when in the womb.

So as God’s Word is spoken

There’s rescue from sin’s gloom!

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139: 14

And babies can have faith,

when they are very small.

They need not yet be born,

Or to be very tall!

“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41

Since babies need protection,

God makes his presence known.

His angels always guarding.

They’re never left alone.

“Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

God also gives them parents,

To bring them to the Word

So when they are at home or Church,

The voice of God is heard!

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

God also teaches parents

“Bring children to the font.”

So they may be baptized.

More gifts, who doesn’t want?

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[1] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matt. 28:20

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16

“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” Galatians 3:26-27

His gifts are never ending

In the world and Church

Just because they’re babies

God won’t leave them in the lurch.

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139: 1-2

How little ones believe?

What a miracle, too!

The Holy Spirit brings them Peace

To know the cross is true!

“At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.” Matthew 11:25

As you can see, babies are

quite precious in God’s eyes.

They need not know how to speak,

He loves them in their cries.

“but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

God seeks the babies out,

This is just what He does.

He creates faith in them

And loves them, just because.

“You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.” Psalm 139:5-6

For Parents/Caregivers-Faithful Christians

God is certainly at work in, with and under children, even before they are brought to the baptismal font. When a baby is conceived, we recognize that God the Father is the Creator of this life. The blessing and power of God’s Word is that He shapes the faith in all of us, no matter how old we are.

God’s Word does instruct us to be baptized, no matter what age, in order that we may point to yet another gift and promise that our loving God provides…namely the certainty of Christ clothing us in His righteousness unto eternity. But it is not necessary for faith-for those who may worry about the faith of children in miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death. As Christians, we look to God’s promises in these instances, namely that His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and His angels are guiding and directing all little ones to receive faith in Jesus (Matt. 18:10). While baptism gives us the certainty of eternal life, Christian parents can always declare the hope of the resurrection for children who die before them if baptism is not present. This is always our comfort; in what God does in and through His Word, not what we or our babies do.

We understand some parents may not be Christian. Also, some children may just have one parent, or none at all. God is certainly watching over all of these things. Parents are a gift and we pray children are given intimate and faithful instruction in God’s Word by them. However, faith in Christ can and does certainly come apart from parents through other means; pastors, guardians, teachers, friends…Whomever God sees fit to use for the sake of the Gospel in these young lives. My barren sisters, this means you. You are an integral means  called by God to love and cherish the Church, for mutual comfort and support in Christ. 

May this story be a comfort to all who question how faith comes to us and little ones. God Himself, by Himself and His means, makes Christians of people. He is faithfully after the helpless, lost, weak and suffering. This, of course, includes everyone… and especially babies.

Praise and thanks be to God!