Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Bryan and Charity were going to be gone over the weekend and needed someone to watch Piper. Of course, Memaw said that we would be glad to have her spend time with us. I will have to say that Vicki didn’t ask me first, but that’s nothing new. But Piper is a bundle of fun and we love having her with us.
We picked her up on Saturday morning and the fun started. She is absolutely full of life. After getting back to Pampa things got crazy! We just went from one thing to another just to keep her going. The truth is Piper was the one trying to keep us going.
Later on Saturday we went over to Joshua and Danielle’s so Harper could paint Piper’s fingernails pink. Now don’t ask me why they had to be pink because her dress for Sunday was white, but that is the color that Memaw chose. Harper did an awesome job and Piper loved them!
After we got back to the house Vicki wanted to start the water in the backyard. After starting it, we just sat on the patio and visited. Piper was going back and forth just jumping around. Then Vicki came up with an idea. She went inside and got a rag and wet it down. Then told Piper she could wipe all the dirt off the tables.
Piper just started wiping the big table off and then moved to the smaller tables. It was then that she said something that caught us off guard. She said – “This is so satisfying cleaning the dirt off.” Vicki and I just looked at each other and laughed.
Piper was so excited to be able to clean off the dirt. She said that it was ‘satisfying’ to be able to get the dirt off of the tables and even the arm chairs. Then as I thought about what she said, I realized that it was something that I wanted to share.
You see, when we realize what God has done for us we have a decision to make. We can come to Him and confess our sins. When we do that, He forgives us and cleanses us. 1 John 1:9 says -- 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
That is when we can say – “This is so satisfying cleaning the dirt off.” God does for us what we can’t do for ourselves. He washes away the dirt of our sin and brings about a cleansing that takes away all the ‘dirt’ of our sin.
The cleansing began when -- God so loved the world and gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). The cleansing that we receive from Christ never goes away once we have accepted Christ. It continues to wash away the dirt of sin and brings a cleansing that delivers us from that sin.
Sometimes we also need to be open with one another about what is going on in our lives to find that satisfying moment. James 5:16 says – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” Praying for one another is truly satisfying.
I guess Piper was right. It is so satisfying cleaning the dirt off. So, when you think about how dirty you are, just remember, God’s love for you can and will bring about a cleansing that truly satisfies. Just confess to Him and He promises to clean away all the sin.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the retired preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
