A New Life

A New Life by Betty Fritz 

Becoming a new Christian could, in many ways, be compared to becoming a new parent. When you actually get to hold that precious newborn and bring him home you realize: this is a brand new life which I am responsible for. As a Christian, once you welcomed Jesus into your heart you also received a new life…a chance to start all over and this time do it right. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.”

A new parent wants to learn all they can about babies and how to care for them. You find yourself reading books and talking to other parents. In the same way, as a new follower of Christ, you search and study the Bible for insight and instruction on how to conduct yourself in ways that are pleasing to God.  In 2 Peter 1: 5-8 we are told to: “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love).” All these qualities you want for your newborn, God wants for you…His child.

In both situations you feel an unspeakable sense of joy and love. At times you’ll feel a little uneasy and fearful. What if you make mistakes and mess up? As you adjust to your new role as parent or Christian, you become comfortable and more secure. In Christ you learn that help is just a prayer away and God is in charge. Psalm 121 assures us of this. Verse 2 “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”

A mother especially is alert and aware of any sound or sudden movement her baby makes. With time you’ll be able to distinguish when your baby is hungry, frustrated or in pain simply from the way he cries. As Christians we learn to listen to that still small voice which is God. Sometimes he reminds us to “Check on the baby” or “Make sure that cord is not hanging in the reach of small hands.” Other times He simply wants us to stop and spend some time with Him, read His Word or listen as He imparts some wisdom.

As it is easy to talk about a new baby, it is natural for the Christian to want to talk about your faith and share with others the joy you’ve found. In fact Jesus tells us in Mark 16:15 to “Go ye therefore into all the world.”  Sometimes sharing our faith or testimony with strangers, or some family members, is not quite as easy as talking to other Christians or sharing at church. Even Jesus had a hard time witnessing to people in his home town. But it is important to share His love with as many people as we can and sometimes actions speak louder than words. We need to be able to tell others how Christ works in our life and to assure them that salvation is only available through Him. Joining your pastor and other church members for visitation time is a great way to practice sharing God’s love.

Talking about your child is good, but also important is talking TO your child. Even a tiny baby loves to be talked to. Nothing is as soothing to them as the sound of their parents voice. Cuddling and singing, rocking and enjoying being together is as important to your child’s growth and development as good food and water. Letting your child know that he is loved and appreciated, that’s a big part of a parent’s job.

It is also important for Christians to spend quality time with the Lord. He wants to hear from you. He already knows your situation but He wants you to talk to Him about it. Prayer is not something we do only at bedtime or in church. We can talk to God about anything anytime. Open your heart to Him and pour out your innermost fears. He is there to comfort, hold you and calm those fears. Being a parent is awesome, but even more so is being a child of God. Because of Him we can walk in a newness of life! Romans 6:4.

About Betty Fritz:

My name is Betty Fritz. I was born and raised in Texas but have resided in Elkhart, Indiana for the last 25 years. My husband is a Hoosier so that’s how we wound up here. We have two daughters and a son plus 6 grand kids…..3 boys and 3 girls.

I retired last year after working for 24 years at Elkhart Child Development Center. I’ve been writing since a teenager and have taken several writing courses. I enjoy writing short stories. I wrote a book of poems, RHYMES OF THE TIMES, which was published a few years ago. I have written countless songs, a few for which demo recordings have been made. Recently I’ve been writing blogs..most of them about my faith and things the Lord has taught me in my Christian life over the last 51 years. My inspiration comes from my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and my desire to see that my grand children grow up in a Christian nation. My goal is to bring glory to Him and help others to see that there is POWER in the name of JESUS!