It amazes me how babies can bring out the best in people. You can take the most sour and contentious person and put them in a room with a newborn and it will completely change their disposition. I’m sure that there are some people who can go unaffected by a baby, but most will succumb to the chubby cheeks and gummy smiles.

I’ve witnessed this firsthand since having K. I walk into a room with him and hearts melt. Strangers come up to me and people who I know hate me gravitate towards K’s carrier and express their desire to hold him. This phenomenon never ceases to amaze me. I always wonder… Why do you want to hold my child when you can’t stand me? When it comes to this issue, I feel like Jesus. I and my son are one. You can’t come to the baby unless you come through me. LOL!

But, seriously… I don’t understand why people who clearly do not like me want to hold my son?

Matthew 7:6 (NIV), says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” I consider K to be my most precious pearl. Why would I cast him before the swine lest he be trampled underfoot? God has entrusted K to us. It’s our privilege and duty to protect and care for him. I will not subject my son to the same negative attitudes and behaviors that I encounter from some people. Yes, K will have his own haters and Mommy and Daddy cannot shield him from the harsh realities of this world. But, presently, we can control who comes into his life. And my husband and I will do whatever it takes to make sure those in his life affirm who he is as a child of God.

You might be saying, “What’s the big deal?”

Well, I’m glad you asked. 1 Timothy 5:22 (NRSV) says, “Do not ordain anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.” Now, when Paul wrote this he was speaking to Timothy about ordaining persons for leadership in the church. When we become parents, we ordain or select persons to be leaders and role models in the lives of our children. As the scripture admonishes us, we should not be so quick to ordain persons to play significant roles in the lives of our children. Just like we choose leaders in the church, leaders in our home should be carefully selected. Those persons should demonstrate a Christ-like attitude and behaviors. The people around your children should support you as parents and reinforce the lessons that you are trying to instill in your children. You should not ordain persons who don’t respect you, and you certainly should not ordain persons who do not genuinely love and support you.

So, no, you cannot hold my child. If you do not respect and support me and my husband, what have you to do with our child? He’s our most precious pearl and like Tiffany’s or Jared’s, we’re keeping our jewels on lockdown!