| Six-year-old Kelly thinks it's simple: | | | | father told me the baby would be born by |
| "Babies go to heaven because that's where | | | | morning. I went to bed that night excited |
| they belong." Kelly, does this include babies | | | | about what the next day would bring.When I |
| who cry a lot? Oh, I almost forgot. Scripture | | | | woke up, I leaped out of bed, dashed down the |
| says God will wipe away every tear in the New | | | | stairs and pounded in my dad's study. The sad |
| Jerusalem.Elizabeth, age 9, agrees, but for a | | | | look on his face told me something went |
| different reason. "God will take them to | | | | wrong. It was then that I heard the terrible |
| heaven even if they haven't reached the age | | | | news that the baby, whose name was Martha |
| of accountability." Does this mean they're | | | | Caroline, was a Down syndrome child. I found |
| too young to pass the CPA exam? What is this | | | | out that her lungs were not fully developed |
| age of accountability?Let's get some help | | | | so she could not breathe properly. The |
| from Molly, 12, who says babies go to heaven | | | | doctors were doing their best to keep her |
| at death "because they are not old enough to | | | | alive. My mom and dad immediately went to the |
| understand sin, Jesus Christ and the Holy | | | | hospital, and I stayed with a baby sitter.Her |
| Spirit." Jesus said the Holy Spirit would | | | | death was very hard on my sister. My brother |
| convict the world of sin, righteousness and | | | | was a little bit too young to understand. I |
| the judgment to come.According to Molly's | | | | just have to trust the Lord and let His will |
| reasoning, people must be capable of being | | | | be done.God was faithful and helped us get |
| convicted of their sins by the Holy Spirit | | | | through the hard time. Without God's help, my |
| before they can accept Jesus' solution. | | | | aunt would have been left depressed and sad, |
| Therefore, children who are too young to | | | | but God's presence made it easier.When I |
| understand sin and their need for Jesus | | | | think back on this moment, I realize it |
| Christ through the convicting ministry of the | | | | brought my family closer together. My aunt is |
| Holy Spirit have not reached the age of | | | | no longer shy, and now my cousin will never |
| accountability.In other words, there's a | | | | be teased. She won't have any pain or |
| point in normal people's lives when they are | | | | sadness, and now she won't ever get sick. |
| held responsible for their decisions and | | | | Also, she will get to see God every day, and |
| actions. Exactly when this is varies from | | | | just think about the wonderful toys she'll |
| person to person.King David had a child by | | | | get to play with. Even though I'm sad, I know |
| Bathsheba who became very ill. David fasted | | | | Martha Caroline is the sweetest little angel |
| and prayed to God all night for his baby | | | | in heaven.Carey Kinsolving is a syndicated |
| son's life, but the baby died. Afterward, | | | | columnist, producer, author, speaker and |
| David made this statement about his baby boy: | | | | website developer. To see Carey's Kid TV |
| "I will go to him, but he will not return to | | | | Interviews and more, visit The Kids Talk |
| me" (II Samuel 12:23).The following short | | | | About God website contains free, online |
| story was written by a 9-year-old girl named | | | | content for children and families. Print free |
| Hillary, who lost her baby cousin, Martha | | | | lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and |
| Caroline:"Hillary, the baby is about to be | | | | make your own book. Watch for free the |
| born,'' my mother said. "Your aunt is in | | | | adventures of an 11-year-old girl traveling |
| labor right now! She is at the hospital, and | | | | around the world, visiting missionaries in |
| so far everything is going fine."I thought | | | | the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print |
| back nine months ago when I heard the news | | | | Bible pictures drawn by kids that illustrate |
| that my aunt was pregnant. I was so excited! | | | | Scripture verses. Receive a complimentary, |
| We had felt her stomach and talked to the | | | | weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional |
| baby for months! Now was the time for it to | | | | Bible Lessons. Bible quotations in this |
| be born. I would have a new baby cousin!My | | | | column are from the New King James Version. |