Today’s Daily Bread ~ Encounters of the second kind

Isaiah 64:6 – We are all infected and impure with sin.  When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags.  Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall.  And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.

About five minutes prior to sitting down to write today’s message, my son came running to me with panic in his eyes.  “It was an accident!  It was an accident!” he cried.  I was going to write a piece called “Puzzles.”  I changed my mind.

“What is it, Nicky?  What happened?”

He started to cry.  “I pottied!” he wailed in a pitiful little voice.

I was surprised it upset him so much.  Accidents are commonplace around my house.  In fact, at least once a day I’ll see a wet spot on the floor, groan to myself and check his pants.  However, as I investigated further, I saw that this was an encounter of the second kind, it you catch my drift.

I apologize in advance for the graphic content you are about to read.

My son had streaked poo everywhere.  In his attempt to clean himself up, he had successfully covered the majority of his lower body with #2 (he then pulled the dirty clothes back up, making the matter even worse).  I removed the soiled clothes and started scrubbing.  Once I wiped his body clean, I threw him in the tub and got to work on the affected rooms, carpet and wall.  Later, as I was literally scraping poo out from beneath my fingernails (I know, I warned you), I thought about how much I must love my son.  It takes a parent-child kind of love (or Jesus) to love someone enough to get poo under your nails.

If I had to do this with another child, I likely would’ve (a) let them sit in their own excrement until their parent came back (not really, but I’d be tempted), or (b) gagged and retched the entire time, then sat in a bleach bath for an hour or so.  But with my own kids, it’s just different.  I do what I need to do because I love them, and taking care of them is the most important task the Lord has assigned me.

This verse of Isaiah makes me think of my son, standing proudly, poo streaks on his legs, proclaiming, “I don’t need diapers, mommy!  I’m a big boy!”

It also brings to mind a moment not long ago when I was feeling pretty good about something I’d done.  I’d gone an extra mile to be helpful, and was feeling rather self-satisfied as I headed home.  Ready to bask in the Holy Spirit’s approval, I was dismayed and convicted by His whisper; “Yes, well done.  But for whose glory?  Yours or Mine?”  When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags.

Here is the good news: God loves us regardless of our filthy rags.  I don’t love my son one bit less when he has accidents.  Nor do I love him one bit more when he’s cuddled up on my lap being sweet.  I don’t love him less when he’s pulling his sister’s hair, and I don’t love him more when he struggles to pull a door open for me that’s more than three times his weight.  I may delight in him more at that moment, but my love for him simply cannot be changed.  To the best that I am able to love someone unconditionally, that is how I love my children.

The concept of God’s unconditional love for me is one that I struggle to apply.  Cognitively I know how much He loves me.  I know that nothing can separate me from His love, and I believe that Psalm 103:11-12 is true: For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.  I believe it.  But I am also keenly aware that I don’t always live like it.  I am far quicker to forgive others than myself.

My son’s mess wasn’t fun, but he’s three.  That’s what three year olds do. 

We struggle with pride, greed, self-centeredness, and all kinds of variations of sin.  We’re human.  It’s what we do.  It’s why we so desperately need a Savior.  Because without Him…even on our best day…our good deeds are but filthy rags to Him.

Psalm 103:13-14 – The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.  For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are only dust.

Dear Heavenly Father, once again we thank You for Your love.  We thank You for having tender thoughts toward us and compassion on us; so much so that You sent Your only Son to die a sinner’s death for us.  Help us to write that on our hearts, Lord.  Help us to forgive others and ourselves.  Help us to extend Your grace where needed and release those who offend us.  Help us to receive Your grace and to live like the forgiven, instead of carrying the burdens of guilt and shame.  You remove our filthy rags and clothe us in robes of righteousness – help us live in that dignity.  Help us to extend it to others.  We love You so much, God.  We pray these things in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.