Change Me, Lord! Please?

Picture of Grandson wearing boots

Grandson Wearing Papa Joe's Boots

This weekend, we had our three grandsons over, for a couple of days.  What a blessing, they are!  Three little live-wire boys, ages one to six years, full of energy and good cheer!

The youngest, at just under two years old, is all smiles and hugs and kisses, despite being at that somewhat awkward stage where he understands most things but has trouble making himself understood; walks and runs great but has trouble keeping up with his brothers; and has a basic understanding of potty-training but has not quite figured out advance warning of a coming mess.

I had a simple lunch of hot dogs and fruit started when they arrived.  Cleaning up after lunch, I caught the distinctive odor of a dirty diaper.

As I started digging diapers and wipes out of the travel bags, the youngest came running up with a grin, “Change me?” he queried, very distinctly.

“Yes,” I laughed, “I’ll change you!”

Though a little out of practice, I managed the diaper changing with no mishaps, and no further conversation.  Then, as I was pulling his pants back up, he turned his head toward the dirty diaper on the floor beside us, pointed, and declared, “Ew!  Gross!”

Laughing, I heartily agreed with his analysis, sent him on his way, with a hug and a kiss, then disposed of the offending ew-gross diaper.

The whole conversation struck me as hilarious!  Although he made the mess, himself, he was anxious to be cleaned up as quickly as possible, and was quite clear in his disdain for the overall grossness of the offending mess.

I can so relate!!!

I, too, often make a mess of things, especially when it comes to human interaction and relationships.  Despite my years of experience, I find I too often lack the maturity and insight to foresee the coming mess, or foreseeing it, feel helpless to prevent it.

Too often, I find myself totally disgusted by a mess of my own making, and the realization that I don’t even have sufficient ability to clean up my own mess.

Like my grandson, all I can do is turn to my Father with the simple confident request, “Change me?”

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven… Colossians 1:21-23

I am so thankful for our Father’s patience with our messes and His willingness to continue to change us!

What about you?  Can you also relate to my grandson’s desire for cleanliness and disdain for messes of his own making?