The Father's Love

In my graduate studies several years ago, I remember a case study that I still think about as an educator today.

In the 1940's, the psychologist, Rene Spitz, studied human babies isolated from their mothers. These were the infants of women too poor to care for their children, infants who had been placed permanently in a foundling home. There, the children were kept in what Spitz called "solitary confinement," placed in cribs with sheets hung from the sides so that the only thing the babies could see was the ceiling. Nurses seldom looked in on them more than a few times a day. And even when feeding time came, the babies were left alone with just the companionship of a bottle. Hygiene in the homes was impeccable. But without being held, loved, and woven into the fabric of a social web, the resistance of these babies was lowered. 34 out of 91 died. In other foundling homes, the death rate was even higher. In some, it climbed to a devastating 90%. A host of other studies have shown the same thing. Babies can be given food, shelter, warmth and hygiene. But if they are not held and stroked, they have an abnormal tendency to die.

How about us?

We were the same way. Helpless, no chance of survival until God gave us a second chance for life.

Because of that special gift, He holds us; He shelters us; He cares for us; He provides everything for us.

How sad many don’t accept this gift.