Red Ketchup, White Shirt

May 26, 2010 by Spencer

If you have kids you have had to make this decision, in the heat of the moment, with only seconds to think, you have to decide kids or clean. If it hasn’t happened to you, just wait…it will.

Saturday was another all boys day as Lindsay went to Claire’s (my brother’s fiance) bridal shower in Gainesville. I cooked up a hot dog for the boys, I even split it down the middle and melted shredded cheddar cheese inside, a real boy’s lunch.  After letting it cool for a few minutes I cut it up and gave it to the boys, then it happened. A shriek of horror. I turn around to see Andrews little face with a ketchup mustache and goatee getting more red by the nanosecond, tears starting to flow out of the corners of his eyes down his cheeks, his little ketchup and cheese covered hand reaching for daddy.  His mouth wide open but no sound, no more shrieks, just a look of terror. I had a decision to make, kids or clean. I run over to him get him out of his chair, pick him up and hold him like a father should. Knowing my shirt is ruined (or at least needs a good meeting with Spray & Wash) I just hold Andrew and tell him I love him. After a minute Andrew told me he hurt his hand, that the hot dog was indeed still too hot. Joshua didn’t seem to mind the HOT dog but something triggered this terror in Andrew.

As we finished lunch and Andrew ate his hot dog I began to think about our little incident.  When I saw Andrew sitting there with ketchup and cheese all over his face and hands I had a choice to let him sit in his seat and try to wipe his hands and face then pick him up or I could forget the stupid shirt and pick up my kid and love him. As I was holding Andrew he just continued to wipe his face on my shoulder and with every wipe I could see more ketchup and snot (he was crying afterall) get ground into my shirt. I didn’t get upset looking at my ruined shirt, I was grateful for the blessing of the little boy who was crying in my arms. Afterall it’s just a white t-shirt that can be washed or if need be even turned into a car washing rag and replaced but it made me think. But it reminded my of God’s love. God loves his children and we don’t have to get all cleaned up to let Him hold us. God wants us to come to him NOW. In the moment when you are hurting or addicted or broken.  To many times we (myself included) think we can’t turn to God when we are messed up. But the opposite is true, these are the times we need to run to Him, or for many of us, run back to Him. Just like Andrew we need to turn to our heavenly Father and cry out with arms waiting for an embrace.

Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. - 2 Corinthians 1:6-7

I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but your unfailing love, O Lord , supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. – Psalm 94:18-19

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. – Matthew 5:4

Instead of trying to fix everything yourself, run into God’s arms and ask him to help you in your circumstance. God doesn’t care about the mess, he cares about you, plus He’s probably got a pretty good dry cleaning service.

Next time you get a little ketchup on a white shirt remember how much more God has sacrificed for you. God chose you, and always will.