A new baby is a joy. It is also exhausting. The parents are not sleeping, the house is a mess, and some days they are just trying to get through until dinner. Many new parents also feel lonely, and some feel scared they are doing it wrong. Those of us who have been there remember how much one hot meal meant.
There is a story about Jesus and children that shows how much they mattered to him.
Let them come
People were bringing their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them. His closest friends thought this was a waste of his time. They scolded the parents and tried to send them away.
The Gospel of Mark, one of the four accounts of Jesus's life, says Jesus was not pleased with his friends.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14 · King James VersionThe original Greek
ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἠγανάκτησεν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἄφετε τὰ παιδία ἔρχεσθαι πρός με, μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά, τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ.
Found in Codex Vaticanus (about AD 325), Codex Sinaiticus (about AD 350).
"Suffer" in old English means "let." Let the children come. Then Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
The parents who were sent away were treated as a bother. Jesus treated them as welcome.
Ways to help
Bring a meal. Something that can be eaten with one hand, or frozen for later. Leave it at the door if they are resting.
Do a chore. Fold laundry, wash dishes, take out the trash, walk the dog. Tired parents rarely ask, so offer something specific.
Keep visits short. Thirty minutes is plenty, and wash your hands. Hold the baby only if they offer.
Help with older kids. Take a big brother or sister to the park so the parents can sleep.
Check on the mother. Some new mothers feel very low after birth. Ask how she is doing, not only how the baby is.
Keep coming back. Help pours in the first week and then stops. A meal in week four can mean even more.
Small help, big difference
You do not need to be good with babies to help. You just need to show up for the family. Jesus made room for the children and the tired parents who brought them. Bringing soup to a new mom is making room too.