That's fine

My grandson Rilley says things that often times has me laughing or in wonder at his wit.  He is three and had a recent encounter with his Dad.  To me it was the writing on the wall.  Okay, let me stop being so dramatic and get to the point.

Rilley asked his Dad to bathe him.  Unfortunately, his Dad was unable to do so as he was at that moment leaving the house.  The UBER was at the door and my son was not going to be able to do as requested.  So he tried telling Rilley that this was not possible.  Of course try reasoning with a three year old that already has their mind set on something.  

The pleading and begging was in full effect.  Neither one was about to back down from their stance.  I was thinking that the time it was taking to settle each one could have seen to the bathing and dressing of the child.  Finally, my son was asking for a hug so he could assuage his conscience and leave in peace.

Unfortunately he met his match.  Rilley was having no part in this attempt to say sorry (if that is what it was anyway).  He refused to hug him and instead said that's fine Daddy!  That's fine!!!  He would not budge and the back and forth began again.

"Rilley come give me hug good bye!"

"No Daddy, that's fine!" 

So it went on for a few minutes until I reminded my son of the waiting cab.

When he left we (my mom, sisters and I) stood around and just looked at each other.  How could this little thing born just a few years ago be so willful in holding onto his hurt and be so determined to not give his Dad he wanted?  How could his Dad not cancel the UBER and give his son a bath? 

I saw the writing on the wall...Time moves quickly and little boys become men quicker than we would like them to be.  No one has to teach us to hold our grudges; no one has to teach us to be selfish and willful.  We are born like that.  The echo of Rilley's "That's fine" was a testimony of the sin nature we have been born into and how badly we need Jesus.  We need him because truth is we are not fine.  Rilley was not fine and fell into a fitful sleep with his unwashed body. 

Just as he needed a bath we need a cleansing from our Father.  The good thing is this, He will always say to us "That's fine"  and cleanse us willingly.  We will never catch Him off guard nor will He ever be unwilling when we ask for Him to "bathe" us.  

God, please make us clean from the stain of sin.  Please help us to never look to men for our help but to You.  Lord you are what we need.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that removes all our filth and leaves us with a newness that is beyond compare. In Jesus name, Amen.