Clean and cuddly

We had a messy morning….Lily decided to comb her hair with her fork that had been dipped in syrup and blueberry pancakes. We usually take a bath at night but this called for a morning dip in the tub. When she got out it was time for her nap so we cuddled and as she was nursing I started thinking about how I love to snuggle her when she’s all nice and clean. And I thought about how God must love to be near us (His children) when we are clean and living in obedience. I don’t love Lily any less when she’s dirty or covered in a poopy diaper but there’s a distance that comes from that and there is water and washing that is needed to clean things up. And I think it’s the same way with God….He doesn’t love us any less when we are in rebellion and covered in the dirt and filth of this world but in order to be near us and “cuddle” us there has to be a washing and purifying – that only comes through Jesus and the washing of the Word. There was a scripture that the Lord gave me a long time ago….actually when He was drawing me to Himself, wanting me to repent and come to Him. Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden {His} face from you so that He does not hear.” Just like I long to be near Lily I know the Lord must have that same longing for His children. I pray that I will continually be washing in the water of the Word and living my life CLOSE to the Lord. I can’t help but think about John, the disciple, and how he is referred to as “the one whom Jesus loved” and “the one whom leaned back on Jesus shoulder.” He wasn’t the only one whom Jesus loved but he recognized and acknowledged that love and knew that the best place to be was “near Jesus”….leaning on Him. “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28 Thank you Lord for teaching me things through Lily’s life! Here’s a picture of our messy girl this morning –