At Jenny’s four month well baby visit, the pediatrician informed me that I should begin her on solid foods.
He said to begin her on rice cereal mixed with water (because she is breastfed) and stage one baby foods. I knew this from my previous babies.
I also knew from my other babies that this could take a while….and it has.
She is five months old now and still doesn’t *love* eating solid foods just yet.
Over the last month I have taken several breaks from it, waiting until she is more ready.
The last time I began trying her on baby foods, she seemed to be more ready and we’ve been “practicing” more. I have noticed that the more I work with her on this, the better she becomes. Each meal is a little easier, she sticks out her tongue a little less, and enjoys the food a little more.
One morning last week, I read this passage in Hebrews that reminded me of my time of starting Jenny on solid foods.
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
~Hebrews 5:14
The solid food described here is not baby food coming out of a jar. It is the deeper meaning of scripture and doctrines of our faith.
There are many similarities between the new experience of starting a baby on solid foods and taking in the “solid food” of God’s Word in our faith as Christians.
It is for the mature.
In starting babies on solid foods and in taking in the “solid food” of God’s word, we have to be mature enough to handle it.
There are several ways that you know that babies are ready to move forward with solid foods, such as losing the tongue-thrust reflex, being able to sit up, and showing an interest in food.
There are also several ways that you know that you as a Christian are ready to move forward to the “solid food” of God’s word, such as an acceptance of Christ as savior, demonstrating fruits of God’s spirit, and a desire to grow in one’s faith.
Training Comes by Constant Practice
It is through constant practice that I have been able to help Jenny move forward with eating solid foods. At each meal, she takes a little bit more.
In the same way, it is only through the constant practice of reading and studying God’s word that we as believers in Christ are able to move on to the “solid food” of God’s word.
I have to ask myself the question…
Am I ready for the solid food of God’s Word?
Are you?
Kristen T says
What an amazing post, Monica. I love reading about your life, and how you share yourself and your family so transparently, teaching us along the way. You’re beautiful, by the way, feeding Jenny, and an inspiration to me. I’m always motivated to get my spiritual life in tune after reading a post, and this one really pushed me there. Thank you. I don’t want to be a baby forever, and that takes practice. 🙂
Jamie Tobin says
I am visiting from HIP HOMESCHOOL ,Your blog is very inspirational.Keep up the good word.
Kim says
I love the pictures. I really love the message you have here. Awesome, awesome, awesome!!
LifeAtTheCircus says
I love the way you tied these two things together so beautifully. Wonderful post! (BTW my lil man has def been showing the signs recently and I plan to start him on rice cereal this week in fact)