How Cleaning Up Messes Connects Us To Jesus

Before you had kids, you probably heard a story or two about bodily function mishaps from parents chuckling while recounting the tale. You may have smiled politely while secretly hoping they would just stop talking about puke and poop already. Or maybe the horror you were feeling as you listened showed plainly on your face. You heard their story, sure, but never thought you would have your own to tell. And now, here you are…

POOP IS EVERYWHERE.

On your precious, beautiful baby? Check. On you? Check. On the wall? Check. On the floor? On the ceiling? On everything within arm’s reach? Check, check, annnnd check.

You have no idea how it happened, but it did and now you must put together a game plan. You are thoroughly disgusted (yeah, it’s your kid which is different than cleaning up after someone else but…it’s still poop). You’re also exhausted from the million other things you have had to do today. The last thing on your mind at this very moment is the kingdom of God, right? And that’s ok. But that doesn’t mean you are far from the kingdom’s work.

What Did Jesus (And Mary) Do?

Did Mary ever have a diaper explosion on her hands, clothes, and hair when she was caring for the infant Lord of the Universe? Was she ever puked on when her perfect, holy toddler was sick? Did she wipe his snotty nose on the hem of her dress when a first century handkerchief wasn’t handy? The Bible doesn’t tell us about her life as a mom, but she didn’t raise an alien. She raised a human, just like us in every way.

Hebrews 2:17-18

“17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

God humbled himself and became FULLY man. That means, as a baby, he had dirty diapers, got sick, and was dependent on his momma to take care of the not-so-glorious duties that we moms do daily. And Jesus did this, and therefore Mary cared for him, so that he could be our “merciful and faithful high priest in service to God”. This is HUGE! It was worth it to God to be a part of our messy way of living, in a world full of darkness, to atone for our sins. God trusted Mary to be a loving momma to his only son, to care for his every need until he was grown, or else the “fully man” plan wouldn’t work. Of course, Jesus had the ability to come down and care for himself. He is also fully God after all, but the need for a perfect sacrifice was so strong, he had to be “all in” so we could be with him without barriers or caveats. The role of Jesus’ momma should not be forgotten in the gospel story. She is so very important.

Is It Worth It?

Reflecting on this, is it worth it for you to be your children’s caretaker so that they can one day fulfill their role in the kingdom? Absolutely. Without their serving hands and feet, future generations may be lost.

Cleaning up poop explosions and every other kind of bodily function messes thrown our way is real life. And you know what? God sees you in it. He hears your thoughts, your exhausted sigh when you find out your child is sick…again. He knows all that you’ve done and all you are going to do, including the 3 A.M. call from your child who needs you to rub his back while he hovers over the toilet. He also knows who your child will become and the amazing things they will do with their lives. He paired you together knowing you are perfect for each other.

Being a mom is messy business, but it is God’s business too. You are serving Christ’s kingdom while deep in the mom trenches and he loves you through it all. We’ll learn more about this and be encouraged by scripture over the next few days, but for now, read and pray over Psalm 139 and feel God’s love for you wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

“1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

This is part of a series called The “Poop is everywhere” devotional. Click here to read more in the series. Messy Tired Love devotionals connect everyday mom moments to the truth of the gospel. Learn more here.