Washed Clean

My daughter ventured out in new, bright pink, beautiful pants one day.  She walked in confidence and pride while sporting these new pants.  The moment she stepped out the door the fabric experienced the typical beating received from any five year old.  The use of markers alters the design from plain bright pink to random stripes of various colors.  Hitting the ground numerous times during recess weakens the threading; at times, leaving dinged marking.  During lunch, the pants transform into a napkin and potential stains appear down the sides of each leg.  To top off the day, after school play leads to grass and mud colored knees.  At first encounter, I think someone stole her pants and replaced them with used, dingy, stained yet still comfy ones.  First thought of this incompetent mother. . . “How in the world will I ever clean this up?”

With the first step in the door, I ask that she change pants and hand me the damaged ones.  I reach for any pretreatment product found, drench the pants and leave it to work miracles.  Leaving to soak for hours, I think to myself, “no way is this one coming clean”.  Well, at least we now have a pair of ‘play’ pants, right?  I throw in the pants with corresponding colors, add detergent and with the push of the start button hope for the best. . .

The mixture of pretreatment, detergent and water begin to work vigorously to clean the blue marker, green grass, brown mud and ketchup streaks down the sides.  These pants are at their worst but I cling to hope that the products will do as promised in the description. . .one wash = cleaner, brighter clothes!

Pulling out of the dryer confirmed the promise.  No signs of stain whatsoever.  I could not tell you what she had for lunch, where she played after school or what projects she completed during art class.  The pants washed cleaned, folded nicely and ready to go the next day she wears them.  The assurance given from a washer, detergent and pretreatment brings peace to this mother as I approach my child covered in dirty clothes.

Another assurance I possess each day creating overwhelming peace is that my God promises cleansing of my dirty, stained and tainted soul.  We begin life as a child, innocent, new, beautiful inside and out and filled with peace in the care of parents meeting all needs.  In growing, confidence appears along with self-satisfaction.  Nothing alters our thoughts, cleanliness remains. 

Then, the five year mark comes around and we venture outside of the protection known thus far.  The moment entering into society without constant supervision, love, encouragement and care finds us within society’s beating.  Words spoken, opinions given or glaring looks place indelible marks on our hearts.  The shine inside lessens. . .dingy appearance begins.  During the years, we may become a stomping ground in relationships.  With each encounter our soul feels the blow, receiving potential stains.  Job loss, addiction, depression, death of loved one and more knock us to the ground.  Spirits weaken diminishing any motivation to continue.  To top all this off, we then come home to a place without peace, joy, love or comfort.  Years pass, each feeling worse than the prior one. . .eventually finding us lower than ever before.  My friends, at our lowest, Satan moves in to attack.  He has us exactly where he desires. . .backed against a wall without a way out.  Or is there?

After 40 days of fasting, Jesus experienced weakness and hunger. . .guess who came in to attack?  The attack did not occur only once. . .three times Satan attacked.  My friends open your Bibles to Matthew 4:1-11 to read for yourselves how Jesus answered.  Weak, tired and probably more than over this fasting period; Jesus responded, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”  You want to know what happened next. . . ‘Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.’

We have a God bigger than anything in this world.  Our faith may be shaken daily, but it CANNOT be taken.  We may feel like dingy, stained, damaged and useless due to the past and the opinions placed upon us by society.  Guess what, my friend, Hope exists.  The promise remains throughout each generation. . .one death = clean, brighter, everlasting life!  Serving only God will protect from the damage of Satan’s attacks.  Though trials and tribulations surround our lives, joy can remain inside our soul.  No matter the past, His promise holds true for every one of His children.  That includes YOU!  The past is washed away. . .God cannot see the mistakes, wrong turns, failures or years of damage.  He washes you clean and paves the way for each day to follow.  Will you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, be washed clean and walk confidently with Him?

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Sheree Craig