I’m a young mom to a handsome 10-month-old baby boy. Before I had him, I always wondered what it was like to change a dirty diaper. The movies make it look like such an unpleasant task and the phrase ‘diaper duty’ doesn’t help either! Surprisingly, I find that I enjoy changing my baby’s diaper. I don’t feel grossed out or yucky about it as I used to think I would. I do it carefully and with a lot of love, making sure I wipe him clean and dry. I oil him each time I change him to make sure his skin is well moisturised and protected so he doesn’t develop a rash.

Today God taught me that that’s how he feels about me. He doesn’t get tired of cleansing me from sin. Each time I sin I mess up my life, but when I come running to him, he quickly picks me up in his loving arms and wipes my slate clean! He doesn’t do it roughly or in anger, but with a lot of  love and gentleness. He wants me to be clean, he enjoys cleaning me up, he loves cleansing me from sin!

Can you imagine a mother fuming at her 2-month-old infant because he’s pooped in his diaper? That would be insane! In the same way, God doesn’t get angry at me when I sin or repent. The bible says “For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust“  (Psalm 103:14) and “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1st John 8-9). He loves to wipe away our sins and give us a fresh start.

Refusing to repent, on the other hand, is detrimental to me and saddens God greatly. Even a baby feels uncomfortable and cries when he needs changing. Therefore the natural thing for me to do when I mess up is to come running to God. Not to feel guilty or rejected or wallow in self-pity and condemnation. Neither should I cower and hide in fear as Adam and Eve did. Run to God, not from him!

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