Walking into his room I could tell immediately that the little fellow had been looking for something that was not easily found.His closet door had been flung open and its once-organized contents were now strewn out upon the floor in front of the now vacant closet.Ladnon’s room looked as if Genghis Khan had led his final Mongol invasion there while we were eating supper.Frustrated, I called the oblivious lad up from his boy-cave in the basement and had him stand front and center.
“Landon, what happened?” I asked gently.
“I can’t find Charlie.”Charlie is Ladnon’s strange looking, orange Dr. Seuss stuffed animal that he has really grown fond of.
Completely unmoved by the boy’s plight I snorted, “Clean up this closet, son.You can’t leave your room looking like this.”
His little blue eyes did a quick scan of the floor, calculated that the task was a wee-bit overwhelming and said in a slightly helpless tone, “Can you help me?”
I didn’t hesitate, “You made this mess.You clean it up.”Now my motive at the moment was to utilize this event to try to instill some semblance of responsibility in him.Cause and effect, choices and consequences…you know the bit.
“Daddy, can you help me?”
“No, son.You clean up your mess.”
An hour or so later when tucking him into bed I made a mental note that the floor was clean and the closet door was shut.I’m a man of faith but I confess that I lacked the courage to open that closet door to view what lay on the other side.The fact that the mess was – at the least – hidden from sight was good enough for me.We prayed together as father and son and then I kissed my boy good night.
Early in the morning the next day as I began my time alone with God, the Holy Spirit began into instruct me on the lesson I had taught my young son.I believe our children formulate much of their concept of God based on what they see in their father.As I sat in the quietness of my office, I sensed God impressing a statement upon my mind:
“I clean up the messes you make, Jeff.”
It was a simple thought given to me without any sense of accusation from the Almighty.It was a clear statement of truth and I had missed an opportunity the night before to impact Landon with the truth that, when we sin or fail in our own plans and actions, God will be there for us.I had taught my son the awful doctrine that leaves us believing that God will not help us when we make our own mess.Instead of reinforcing in his young and seeking heart that God is amazingly gracious I taught him by my unwillingness to help that, when you blow it in life, you are all on your own.
I cried for a little bit.I asked God to clean up this latest mess of failing my boy.He forgave me, reassured me, and is giving me ample opportunities to reinforce to my children that His grace will always abound above their failures.
If you find yourself in the midst of a self-created mess today, take heart.God will not affirm your sin or failure…but He will help you get it right.The blood of Jesus Christ has atoned for that sin.If you are a believer then the issue is already remedied.There is no sense in doubly condemning yourself for Christ has justified you before the Father.Now…go and sin no more.The wage of sin is death, not a pouty countenance and slumping shoulders.Don’t pay penance for your crime.Mourn over your actions and then welcome the relief that grace most certainly affords.Please, please, please don’t spend the day under a cloud of gloom for yesterday’s failure.Walk in the light today.Walk in wisdom today.Make no provision for your flesh and become wise and vigilant as your adversary seeks to devour you.Leave no scent of flesh to awaken his hunger further.Jesus Christ lived, died and rose to set you completely free; part of that freedom for you to experience is from accusation and guilt.He hath cleansed thine mess!Thank Him, honor Him, and obey Him today.
