Do you hear them? The sound is faint, but listen for just a moment and they’re there…tiny heartbeats. It’s Sarah Elizabeth. She’s still in her mommy’s tummy, five months away from her birthday. Yet there is already within Sarah the potential to be the research scientist who develops the cure for several major forms of cancer. Sarah’s parents are 38 and 40…busy career folks with no time for children, the church, or the Lord. They don’t look forward to this interruption to their lives, but Sarah Elizabeth will turn their world up side down. What are we willing to do for the sake of this precious child to make sure she reaches her promised potential?

Wait, there are more heartbeats and they are much stronger ones. It’s Trevor Wayne, just 6 weeks from his birthday. God has placed within him the heart of an evangelist. Could he be the next Billy Graham? Trevor’s mom is only 16, unmarried and very frightened. It will be this young teen and her parents who will rear Trevor. Their world is also about to be dramatically changed as this teen tries to parent. What are we willing to do for the sake of this gift from God to make sure he grows up and reaches his promised potential?

And, even as we listen, more heart beats. These beats are loud and clear. It’s Kenya Sheree, and TODAY is her birthday. Her parents are semi-active members of a church. They have several other children and have recently been reported to authorities as being too rough with their discipline. Kenya’s birth does not coincide with her family’s life plan…but she’s coming anyway and their world will never be the same. What are we willing to do for the sake of this wonderful child to make sure she survives and has a chance to thrive?

Listen again. With every heartbeat we hear, there’s an additional sound. It’s the ticking of a clock. Each tick reminds us that time is short.

In the very first year of life, these babies will need to develop 80% of their total future learning capability. To reach their fullest potential, they must be loved, nurtured, stimulated and kept from stressful situations such as neglect and abuse. What are we willing to do for the sake of a child…to make sure he survives and thrives?

The window of opportunity for developing positive parenting skills, and thus preventing child abuse and neglect, is open only for a short time. Babies need parents who are willing to give their all to be good parents. What are we willing to do for the sake of a child…to make sure she survives and thrives?