Baby Thoughts

17th April, 2009 - Posted by Helen Harrison -

I’ve just been to visit a friend and her 2 week old baby. It was like walking into a flower shop, and a small version of Mothercare or Baby’s R Us. Bouquets, baby clothes, toys and other gifts from all the well-wishers surrounded this beauitful little person, who slept amidst it all, oblivious to everything and everyone except when she woke up needing feeding or changing. She is in good health, has all she needs, is loved by mum, dad, big brother and the wider family, and all in all has had a very good start to life. Her family aren’t wealthy by UK standards, but this little one wants for nothing.
It got me thinking though, about just what a different start it would be if she had been born into the same circumstances as over 50% of the babies in the world: families that live on less than $2 / day, that have to walk for a couple of hours to get water, that are lucky if they manage 1 meal a day, and often go to bed hungry. For the babies born into those families, life is a big lottery as to whether they will get past their 5th birthday, and even then will they have mum and dad, or will they have become another orphan to the HIV pandemic? How blessed we are, to have all that we have. And how important it is to remember the responsibility that comes with that privilege; the responsibility to use our blessings wisely, for the good of others and not just ourselves. I hope you have a good day, a day of blessings, and a day of opportunities to bless others along the way, whether they be at home or overseas.