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