WASHING UP

Richard looked down at his hand which was covered with oozing wet tar and began to cry. He was remembering what his Mom had said that morning when he had gone out to watch the workmen pave the driveway. "Keep away from the tar, Richard. This is going to be a very special night for you and Dad and me, and we wouldn't want anything to happen to spoil it, would we?"

The tears were really flowing now and, forgetting the tar on his hand Richard wiped it across his face leaving a streaked mess on his freckled face and curly red hair.

Up until right now he really had obeyed. He had sat on the porch watching the workmen spray the surface and smooth it with the big roller. Yet, in his heart he knew that all day he had been waiting to put his hand in the tar to see what it would feel like. Now it had happened and Mom would be sure to punish him. Probably it might even mean he could not go into town to eat at a restaurant with his family.

"Come on in Richard and wash up to get ready to go to town. Dad will be home soon," Mom called from the kitchen window.

Richard glanced around quickly to see if his Mom had seen what had happened. With relief he realized she could not have seen him.

It was then that a thought went across Richard's mind. If only he could get through the front door and upstairs to the bathroom he just might be able to wash off the tar before his Mom saw him.

Encouraged by the thought, the little eight year old boy dashed to the front steps and raced up the stairs banging the bathroom door behind him.

"Do a good job of washing up, won't you Richard." That was Mom calling up the stairs. "We are leaving for the restaurant as soon as Dad comes home."

"I will, Mom," Richard's voice came out in a sort of squeak which was a mixture of surprise and worry.

Hopefully Richard turned on the hot water and began scrubbing his hands diligently. He even thoughtlessly reached for his Dad's fingernail brush which was soon a sticky mess as were the towels, the bowl, the facecloth and even the wall in back of the towel rack.

"I'll just have to tell Mom," he thought . . . but suddenly he remembered that Mom had once said that when things happened that were not a person's fault . . . then punishment wouldn't be given.

The thought went racing through Richard's mind that he could tell his Mom that in hurrying into the house to wash up he had tripped and fallen into the tar. But before he had time to call down the lie the bathroom door opened and Mom stood looking down at him. Glancing up at her, Richard's heart pounded. She didn't look angry, but just kind of sweet and surprised and maybe a little hurt.

"You are having a hard time of washing up, aren't you, Richard," she said. "Let's see if we have something here that will get you clean."

Richard hung his head as Mom opened a jar and began applying the contents to his sticky hands. Through his tears Richard saw that it really was taking off the tar . . . almost as if by magic.

"That's good stuff, isn't it, Mom," said Richard gulping out the words.

"It's really good for the outside . . . that's for sure," answered Mom.

Outside! The word seemed to stay in Richard's thoughts. But it was the inside that was really making him feel unclean.

"I wish there was something for the inside," said Richard starting to cry.

"There is, dear," said Mom, as she gently began wiping away the tears.

"There IS?" Richard blurted out the question . . . then added . . . "I wish I had some because I feel all dirty inside me."

"Come, let's sit down a minute." Mom took Richard's hand and led him into the big living room chair where she took him in her lap.

"The Blood of Christ is what cleanses us on the inside," said Mom. And reaching over on the table she opened up her Bible to 1 John 1:7 and read: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Richard didn't answer for a minute . . . then he said, "Would His Blood clean me inside?" he asked.

Mom hugged Richard tightly. "That's why Jesus went to the Cross," said Mom softly. "He went willingly. He gave His life for you and me and everyone else who will believe this and who will confess their sins and ask His forgiveness."

"I do! I do!" said Richard. "I disobeyed you and I even wanted to lie about it, but I'm sorry. I'm clean outside . . . now I want to be clean inside. I'd like for Jesus to forgive me."

Mom took hold of Richard's hands between her own. "Your hands are all clean, Richard . . . and so is your heart because you have done what Jesus asked. You have confessed your sin and asked His forgiveness."

"I think I hear Dad out front," said Richard. Now I know I really will have a special time tonight because I'm all washed up inside and out."