| Learning From Poopy Babies |

There was a story that I was once told by a youth pastor of mine, oh some eight years ago. This particular youth pastor was a father at the time and so the story fit. He integrated this story into the message he preached and it has been a lens to which I look upon my spiritual life ever since.

The story was told packed full of nuances about this youth pastors baby son, for the bulk of those listening knew this particular baby. It was a story about a baby experiencing great joy and laughter while learning to walk, only then to fall and experience emotions that were polar opposite to the joy and the laughter. The child sought independence while learning to walk and although he experienced joy because he could do it without his fathers help, his father too experienced joy in watching his child grow. Then just as the child fell, there was an incredible need that the child expressed for his father. His tears and his pain called out to his father who of course came running to pick him up, tell him it would be okay, and that he loved him.

Such is the incredible relationship we have with God. He watches us and shares in our joy as we go about life in His presence. And the moment we fall and cry out to Him, He is there to pick us up, reassure us that everything will be okay, and that He truly loves us.

The story was twofold and the second part was equally as important to me for it spoke to the prodigal son in me. The second part of the story was more about the father and less about the child. Before this youth pastor was a father he was not much for messes. He never had an appreciation for cleaning up after someone else. However, his telling of countless times that he had to clean up after his son, and the incredible vulnerability his son must have been feeling, spoke once again about the dynamic of our relationship with God. For the father learned to love and cherish the moments that he was able to help his son. He found himself loving his child no matter what messy situation the child was in. How much more then will our Father in heaven love us in our vulnerabilities for allowing Him to be the one that cleans us of our messes.

I am still learning to live my life always in the presence of God, and that He is able and willing to take on any messy burden that I have. For He is truly a good God, and a great Dad.