stains

Last week, Priya had school pictures. 

The general rule for clothes Priya's wears to school, I've learned, is to avoid light colors.

This picture day was an exception. A cream colored shirt from Grandma seemed like a good idea and it had this embroidery and sparkly stuff around the neck that might be nice in a picture. Then she got to pick the color of the picture background. She picked red.

Then in memory of the many fun, charming, cute and adorable garments that have gone the way of the rag pile, I reminded her that she did have a white shirt and that just for today she could be careful to avoid major stains.

There were only two palm-sized grass stains and a few other remnants of the day's activities when I picked her up from school. 

"I tried, Mom. I really tried."

We applied good old Spray 'N Shout, washed and it's almost as good as new.

[I'm relieved  that she can still play unhindered. She doesn't worry if her hair looks perfect or if her shirt has a grass stain on the elbow. She plays. Oh she has preferences if the choice is hers: two low pigtails or one low side ponytail, held in place by a plethora of snap clips and either the grass green knit or the red velour pants. But her choices are hardly made with vanity in mind.]

Is this how it is with our sin stains, in a small glimpse? We try... and forget and get stains. God cleans them up. We try... and forget and get more stains. God cleans us up again. I wonder often how God ever puts up with us, His children. (most often when I get so weary of my own kids forgetting again).

That Newsboys song from the 90's comes to mind: 

when we don't get what we deserve
it's a real good thing (real good thing)
when we get what we don't deserve
it's a real good thing (a real good thing)

born to sin
and then get caught
all our good deeds
don´t mean squat

sell the Volvo
shred the Visa
send the cash to Ma Theresa
great idea
the only catch is
you don´t get saved
on merit badges

when we don't get what we deserve
it's a real good thing (real good thing)
when we get what we don't deserve
it's a real good thing (a real good thing)

doctor´s coming
looking grim
"Do you have a favorite hymn?"

check your balance through the years
all accounts are in arrears
guilt is bitter
grace is sweet
park it here
on the mercy seat