Smiling Babies

Our most recent family addition is Remy Iris, our daughter and son-in-law’s little girl. She’s 3 months old and she loves to smile. In fact, I often catch her staring at me (or whoever else is nearby), waiting for me to look at her. As soon as I make eye contact, she breaks into a big grin. It’s as though she craves human interaction and knows that she can get it by smiling.Babies learn this very early in life. They get added attention and affection when they smile (they get it when when they cry, too, which is all the more reason to give more attention for smiling than for crying). Anyway, children have an innate desire to connect with other people. It’s something God created us all with a craving for. We were created to be social beings and God takes joy in our bonding with each other.That’s one of the reasons He founded the Church. God did not send His Son only to save you. He sent Jesus to procure a family. He wants you to be part of His family, which is what the Church is, God’s family. The Bridge exists to connect people with God AND to connect people with people.That’s why we often say, “Church is not a spectator event.” Going to church is a weekly family function to honor God together. It’s also why we often say, “Everyone in the church should be in a group.” It’s in the context of small groups where relationships are formed and family bonds are fortified. And it’s why we say, “Every Christian should have a place of service in the church.” Being part of the family means serving others and sharing in the family chores, alongside our siblings.Like little Remy, eager to connect with others through smiles, you’ve been created with an inborn need to relate with other people. Jesus established His church to fulfill that need. So come on, be part of the family. Be faithful in attending every weekend. Join a group. And get involved in a ministry where you can love and serve others. That’s what the church is all about!