Failure to Thrive

"For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. "Romans 8:24-25

Infants in orphanages sometimes have a "failure to thrive syndrome". There is a listlessness, a lack of interest in life, resulting in death at times, caused by lack of hope, really. For an infant to have hope, he has to believe that someone cares, that someone loves him and will take care of him. In a family, this hope is nurtured by mom and dad, brothers and sisters, through hugs and kisses, eye contact, proper feeding, and verbal interaction, daily proving to the infant that someone cares, someone wants the infant to live and thrive. With his stomach full and his senses stimulated, his heart and soul are full of hope - hope that it is a good world and that people can be trusted to take care of him.

God gives us hope by putting us in families. For those without hope, He offers His very own family, His very own Son to save us and nurture our souls. How do we know this? He has given us His Word, the Bible, to read, to hear, and to create that faith that we need so desperately, in order to live. He is our Father and we are His infants.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". Romans 15:13

by Rococco
photo from www.life2orphans.org/urgentneeds.htm