In some important research, Mark Smith of DuPont Labs separated infant rats from their mothers for just 24 hours and then reexamined their brains for signs of apoptosis. That’s a process in which cells commit suicide. Apoptosis normally eliminates many cells as the brain establishes its complex wiring system.
Smith and his fellow researchers found that twice as many brain cells were dying in the mother-deprived rats than those kept with their mothers.
If we can assume that the same thing happens in human beings, children deprived of their mother’s love and attention in the first few months of their lives are actually losing brain cells. Their brains will be wired differently.
Wow! Moms are you ever important in those first few months and years!
... we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children. (1 Thessalonians 2:7 NLT ed. 1)
About the Author
Paul Faulkner taught on the Abilene Christian University campus full-time for 35 years. He was honored in 1982 as the university’s Teacher of the Year. He has written several books and was a much sought-after speaker and seminar leader along with his Marriage Enrichment partner, Dr. Carl Brecheen. Dr. Faulkner mentored many ministers and church leaders, shared his loving homespun humor and wisdom through many channels, and endeared himself to thousands.
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