Thursday, August 21, 2025

Parable Of The Friend Visiting At Midnight 🌙

Parable Of The Friend Visiting At Midnight🌙


Meta Description: 

A captivating story from Jesus about a surprising visit from a friend visiting at midnight. in the middle of the night. Discover how a friend's bold request teaches us about God's love and generosity. Perfect for children 3 and up.


Read Parable of the persistent widow


parable of the friend at midnight



The Friend At Midnight Scriptures CSB Luke 11: 5-8

He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

“because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’

“Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’

“I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.





Jesus Began The Parable Of The Friend Visiting At Midnight  🌙

Hello, my dear children! Gather around me and listen. I want to tell you a story about a man  we'll call Ezra. He lived in a little house with his wife and children. Their house was very small, with just one room where everyone slept together on mats on the floor.

One evening, after the sun had set and the cool air of the Judean hills settled in, Ezra and his family finished their evening meal. The day’s work was done. Ezra had spent the day tending to his small garden, pulling weeds, and watering the dusty soil. As the stars began to twinkle in the dark sky, his family prepared for bed. They closed the heavy wooden door, bolted it tight, and lay down to sleep. All the village was quiet.


Ezra heard someone knocking at the door at midnight

Suddenly, knock, knock, knock! on the door! The sound was loud and unexpected. Who could it be? Ezra stirred. He listened. The knocking came again, more urgent this time. "Ezra, my friend, it's me, Samuel!" a voice called from outside.

Ezra’s heart sank a little. He knew what a midnight visitor meant. In our land, hospitality is a very big deal. When a traveler arrives, even in the middle of the night, you must give them food and a place to rest. But Ezra had nothing to give! He had prepared just enough bread for his own family for the day. And the village oven, where all the women baked their bread, was now cold.

"Don't bother me!" Ezra called out from inside. "The door is locked, and my children and I are in bed! I can't get up to give you anything." It was true. Getting up would wake the whole family. The door was a heavy slab of wood, and the children were all cuddled close to him.


Parable of the friend visiting at midnight



Ezra's friend needed bread to borrow

But Samuel wasn't asking for himself. "Friend," he pleaded, "I have a traveler visiting me who has just arrived from a long journey, and I have no food to offer him. Please, lend me three loaves of bread!"

Why did Samuel come in the middle of the night? Because a traveler had arrived! A traveler's journey was long and dusty. People would often travel in the coolness of the night to avoid the hot desert sun. This traveler came unexpectedly, and Samuel, who was a good host, had nothing to give him.

Now, imagine this: Ezra is inside, cozy and warm. Samuel is outside, pleading. What will Ezra do? His friend is being very bold and persistent. He won't give up! He keeps asking, and asking, and asking. He is not afraid to ask for help, even though it is late.

I tell you, even though Ezra might not want to get up just because Samuel is his friend, he will get up! Why? Because his friend was so persistent to ask for bread at midnight! He will get up and give Samuel all the bread he needs. He will do it because of his friend’s persistence.

So, what does this story teach us? Just like that friend who kept knocking, we should never stop asking God for what we need. That is, according to His will.

Moreover, we do not need to pray at special times. We can talk to God at any time about our problems. God is a good Father and will answer our prayers if it is His good will to do so.


parable of the friend visiting at  midnight on babymilestonesxyz.blogspot.com


Read the parable of the persistent widow to understand more about how we should never give up praying about our problems.




FAQs


Q1: Why was the door locked with the children inside?

A: Houses in ancient Israel often had just one room. Families, including children and sometimes even animals, slept together for warmth and safety. Locking the door meant the whole family was settled for the night, making it difficult to get up without waking everyone.


Q2: Why was hospitality so important?

A: In a land with few inns, showing hospitality to travelers was a sacred duty. People believed that welcoming a stranger was a way of honoring God. It was a core part of their social and religious life.


Conclusion

My dear children, this story has a message for you. Just like the man in the story gave bread because his friend was so persistent, you must never give up praying to your heavenly Father when you have problems.

When you pray, you can be tell God what you need Him to do for you. He loves you and delights in giving you good things that you need according to His will. 🙏



References


Borowski, O. (2002). Daily life in biblical times. Society of Biblical Literature.

Luke 11:5-8 (Christian Standard Bible).

Matthews, V. H. (2009). Manners and customs in the Bible: An illustrated guide to daily life in biblical times. Hendrickson Publishers.

Wright, C. J. H. (2004). Old Testament ethics for the people of God. IVP Academic.

Monday, August 18, 2025

The Marvel of Month 7: Fetal Development in the Third Trimester

The Marvel of Month 7: Fetal Development in the Third Trimester


Meta Description: Welcome to the final stretch! Explore the incredible fetal development in month 7 of pregnancy, from rapid growth and brain development to preparing for birth.




Introduction: Stepping into the Third Trimester!

Here you are—at the gateway to the final chapter of your pregnancy! Entering the seventh month of pregnancy is a significant milestone. It's the beginning of the third trimester, and things are getting real, fast. You're likely feeling bigger, a bit more tired, and those little flutters from before have become powerful, unmistakable kicks and jabs. 

This is a time of intense growth for your baby, where they transform from a tiny human into a baby who is almost ready for the outside world. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of fetal development in month 7 and see what amazing changes are happening inside your belly.






Your Baby's Incredible Growth Spurt

By the end of this month, your baby will have packed on some serious pounds and inches. It's during this time that they start to shed that lean, almost skeletal look and begin to fill out, a crucial step in preparing for life after birth.


Plumping Up and Shedding Layers

At the start of month 7 of pregnancy, your baby weighs around two to three pounds and measures about 14 to 15 inches long. By the end, they could be closer to four pounds and over 16 inches! This weight gain is thanks to the accumulation of fat layers beneath their skin, which will help them regulate their body temperature once they're born.

The fine, downy hair that covered their body, called lanugo, is also starting to fall off, and their skin is becoming less translucent and more opaque (Mayo Clinic, 2023).



Brain and Sensory Development: A New Level of Awareness

This is one of the most remarkable periods for brain development. Your baby's nervous system is maturing rapidly, allowing for more complex thoughts and feelings.


A Mind in Motion

The connections in your baby’s brain are becoming more intricate and specialized. This allows them to process information, remember things they've heard, and even enter periods of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is essential for brain development. Their brain waves are becoming more active, and they are now capable of more complex cognitive functions (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2023).


Waking Senses

Your baby’s senses are also reaching a new level of awareness. Their eyes can now open and close, and they can perceive bright lights from outside the womb. Their hearing is sharper than ever, and they can not only hear your voice but may also recognize it and other familiar sounds. Don’t be surprised if your baby seems to get startled by a loud noise or calm down when they hear your voice or a familiar song.






Getting Ready for the World

Your baby's actions this month are all about practicing skills they will need once they are born.


Practicing for Life Outside

Think of your baby as a little athlete in training! Their lungs are continuing to mature, and they are regularly "breathing" amniotic fluid, which helps their tiny air sacs develop. They're also practicing the sucking reflex by sucking their thumb or fingers, a behavior that will be essential for feeding. Their reflexes are sharpening, and they can now blink, yawn, stretch, and cough, all in preparation for their grand entrance into the world.



Your Third Trimester Journey: Comfort and Connections

While your baby is busy growing, your body is making its own final preparations, which can bring a new set of challenges and joys.


Navigating the Growing Bump

As your baby gets bigger, you might experience more aches and pains. Backaches, leg cramps, and a general feeling of heaviness are common. Finding comfortable positions to sleep can be a challenge. Now is a great time to invest in a pregnancy pillow and to practice relaxation techniques to help ease any discomfort.


Monitoring Fetal Movements

Feeling your baby's kicks and movements is not just a special bonding moment; it's also a vital way to monitor their well-being. Your doctor may recommend keeping track of fetal movements by performing kick counts. This simple practice helps ensure that your baby is active and healthy as they approach their due date.



Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How big is my baby at 7 months pregnant?

A: By the end of pregnancy month 7, your baby will likely weigh between three to four pounds and measure over 16 inches long.


Q: What is the main milestone in month 7?

A: A key baby growth milestone in the seventh month is the significant development of the brain and the accumulation of fat layers, which are crucial for survival outside the womb.


Q: Can a baby survive if born at 7 months?

A: Yes, babies born prematurely in the third trimester at this stage have a high rate of survival due to the maturity of their organs, though they still require specialized medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit (March of Dimes, 2023).


Q: What should I be doing to prepare for birth?

A: This is a great time to take a prenatal class, finalize your birth plan, and start packing a hospital bag. Continue to focus on a healthy diet and stay in regular contact with your healthcare provider.



References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy

March of Dimes. (2023). Fetal Development: The Third Trimester. https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/fetal-development-third-trimester

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Fetal development: The 3rd trimester. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20045997

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Parable Of The Friend Visiting At Midnight 🌙

Parable Of The Friend Visiting At Midnight 🌙 Meta Description:   A captivating story from Jesus about a surprising visit from a friend visi...

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