Just a Second

“Just wait until he can move on his own!”

This was some advice we received from more experienced parents when we brought our firstborn home from the hospital.

In the middle of newborn cuddles, sleepless nights, and trying to adjust to our roles with ease, I thought these parents had given this advice way too soon. After all, the warm little bundle of joy I was holding couldn’t lift his head. How could I imagine a day when he would scurry, scoot, and scamper around our home?

Well, at almost nine months into our journey as parents, I can tell you that the day did, in fact, arrive.

As I write this piece, I am watching a 22-pound baby roll, crawl, and attempt to stand on the floor in front of me. His movement isn’t the only thing worth noting – his speed is also impressive!

If I turn my head for just a second, I can almost guarantee that I will look back at my son to find him trying to grab whatever it is that he isn’t supposed to have. For example, he loves to try to chew on our remotes and cell phones, to the point that we bought him teether toys resembling these objects. But rarely do those things satisfy him. He wants the real thing!

These new developments have forced us to take a necessary step – baby-proofing our home.

It turns out that we aren’t the only parents facing this issue when it comes to infants on the go.

According to Grand View Research, “The global baby safety products market size was estimated at USD 18,342.1 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 26,394.7 million by 2030 …”

This multimillion-dollar industry is filled with parents like myself who want to do what is best for their child and protect them from harm of all kinds. I assume these parents wanted to ensure that the “one second” they took their eyes off their precious little one was safe.

Yet, I am also learning that the need to “baby-proof our homes” can arise from a point in parenthood when we realize that, by nature, our children will eventually try to do something (whether intentionally or not) that we have asked them not to do in their lives.

At 9 months old, my child knows that the things he is trying to eat are not what I want him to have. At times, we will even look at me, smile, and continue trying to shove the remote in his mouth.  

It has recently served as a humble reminder of what our heavenly Father must think of us as He watches over us day by day. Only, instead of being the parent saying “no,” we are often the child hoping He looks away for “just one second” so that we can do the things that we want to do without His watchful eye.

It could be watching a show or reading something that doesn’t align with our beliefs. Maybe that moment we choose to take our eyes off of Him is when we’re telling a half-truth or choosing to remain silent amid gossip. Whatever poison we pick, if it isn’t honoring Christ, it is pushing us from Him. But isn’t it easier to ask for forgiveness instead of permission? Especially when we know the Holy Spirit won’t grant that permission?

Thankfully, even though we may disobey at times, our Father remains with us, waiting to correct, forgive, and love us when we repent from our sins.

This is the most important lesson we can ever teach our little ones. After all, there is no greater harm that our children will need protection from than Satan’s schemes.

As parents, we must be diligent in sharing these truths with our children. Scripture tells us in Psalm 90:12 that our seconds are numbered, and that we only have so many moments here on earth. While it is indeed important to protect our children from the harms of our homes, it is equally vital that we use every opportunity to teach them about their heavenly Father and His love for them.

Before we know it, those onesies will be replaced by caps and gowns. The worries of baby proofing will be far behind us – but the future of that little one’s life hangs in the balance between heaven and hell. It is our job, as their parents and those who love them the most, to share the gravity of what will happen if they don’t listen to their Father.

There’s work to do, Mom and Dad. The question is, are we going to do it or wait “just a second” to see if someone else will?

So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).