infiniteperspective.net

My daughter is already ten months old. She babbles in simple monosyllables, smiles a lot, crawls with lightning speed and maneuvers her walker confidently. But as a mother, I find that nothing compares to my baby’s ability to recognize faces. When she wakes up in the morning, for example, she always looks for me or her daddy before she breaks into that wonderful smile that always puts the “good” in “Good Morning!” Nothing makes me happier than to see her hold up her arms, eyes beseeching her grandma, her daddy or me: “Please carry me.” Or the way she squeals with delight whenever I tickle and kiss her tummy. The power of an infant to mesmerize and hold one captive is something short of amazing, isn’t it? Because this power is pure and uncorrupted, it has the effect of drawing people easily to them. Think about it: Have you ever looked at a baby before and found yourself repulsed? I don’t think so. Even those born with congenital diseases do not evoke in us a feeling of revulsion. Rather, we are so much more drawn to their plight. Out of pity? Perhaps. Or is it because in a world so tainted with all things vile, we fear the loss of that one beautiful, innocent life? I would like to believe that this is so.

A child born into the world brings with him or her limitless potential. Your little bundle of joy could bring happiness in the hearts of many with her gift of laughter. Your neighbor’s month old boy could serve the cause of justice with his gift of wisdom. My darling child could find the cure for cancer, AIDS or any other debilitating disease with her gift of healing. Our little ones hold these aspirations with them. What little they can show for physical strength and energy, they make up for boundless potential, holding our minds and hearts in rapt attention as we wait and see what they would ultimately become.

With such wonderful prospects wrapped in the evocative innocence of babyhood, how could we go wrong? But we did go wide of the mark. Humanity knows of power, but one that boasts of dominance and submission. Civilization knows of stirring talent, but one that is used for malice and destruction. The world knows of life-saving devices and medicines, but also realizes that the maladies we face now are fast making these obsolete. Countries aspire for peace, but are willing to go to war over borders. Politicians rant of public service, but are ready to milk dry the public they serve. We speak of religion, but sorely lack the basic human notion of respect for those who are also sons and daughters of God. We know of love, but are eager preys to the call of pride, prejudice and hate.

How could that once innocent infant turn out to be one power-hungry maniac? How could that tiny tot turn out to be a merciless killer? How could that gurgling baby you once knew turn to dealing and peddling in the underbellies of sin?

Can someone or something be blamed for tainting such innocence? Oh, biologists will say it is one’s genetic predisposition that eventually molds an individual’s personality. Psychologists will point out that the environment is the main culprit. Adults blame their bosses or spouses, whoever they find more despicable. And teenagers blame their parents. Maybe everyone and everything else is the cause. Maybe no one and nothing.

As an afterthought, I hope my baby ultimately finds the purpose for which she was born and I dream even more, with much anticipation and optimism that she goes on to fulfill it. Yet more than this, I pray fervently that while she sets about accomplishing whatever it is that God set her to perfect, she does not lose that innocence that makes her such a power to be reckoned with.

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