Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Much can be said about this saying but I am going to avoid all of them. I want to speak about little children and the order in growth. Which comes first to little children, speech, walking, or understanding?

While my first grandchild was very young and could not walk or talk, I discovered she was signing to the waitress at the restaurant as a deaf person would. My daughter taught her sign language as a form of communication because she understood and would get frustrated when she could not make herself known verbally.

Children understand in ways they cannot communicate as they would like because they have not matured enough in the area of speech. It is no different with being a little child in Christ. There is an understanding by faith which they have not yet learned to express in ways that they would like. This is complicated by a mind that is fully developed and trained in how to communicate in a language that is not of faith.

As my daughter did for my granddaughter, we should help new Christians develop communication skills that avoid frustration. Do not be critical of a new Christian’s inability to express themselves clearly. Walking by faith is not as easily learned as walking on two feet. Do not expect too much and be patient with them.

If you are a new Christian, be patient with yourself. Small growth is better than falling because you are getting ahead of yourself. Do not think less of yourself if it seems others are learning faster.

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.