The Ballestero Blog

God Has A Diaper Bag!

One of the joys of parenthood is to take your little “precious” out of the house and show them off to family and friends We take them to church as well.

An earthly father is often pretty clueless about how much time, patience and effort goes into getting a baby ready to go out of the house. He often is frustrated that his wife and infant are not ready for church in the same amount of time it took him to shower and shave. But, that might be a story for another blog.

When they get to church, friends are quick to show the baby attention and some even ask if they can “hold it.”

Imagine then the service progressing and a friend on the same row is enjoying holding the new baby. Then something happens that distracts and demands immediate attention. The baby has just made a mess. Immediately the child is handed back to the parent that has the diaper bag.

What does mom (or dad) do now? Their ‘pride and joy’ has just made a mess. Stink is in the air (that is why you want to have a diaper pail with a lid at home). Everyone looks to see what is going to happen next. The congregation’s nose hairs are getting glued together by the aroma. All eyes are now on the parent too. How long will they wait before something is done? Where will they take the child?

Parents never say, “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this child would EVER make a mess! I never dreamed on of my children would ever do something like this. I am so embarrassed. Maybe I should throw this one away and try to make another that won’t do this. I’m mortified.”

When “Junior” makes a mess, the first thing that is reached for is the diaper bag. That bag was packed before they left the house. It was probably packed before the baby was dressed for church and before leaving home. Mama was aware that babies make messes. Sometimes they make lots of messes. Mommies don’t think less of their babies because they make messes. The actually have a ready made plan to provide for such an event.

Mommy takes her bag and the baby back to the area with the changing table. She holds the baby safe on it’s back with one hand while she reaches into the diaper bag to get what she needs. Do you have a clue what all is in one of those things?

There’s:

• Diapers (disposable or cloth) LOTS of them
• Wet Wipes (make sure they are baby wipes and not just wet wipes. Baby wipes are larger, softer, and gentler on the baby)
• Bibs
• Bottles and infant formula
• Bottled water, to add to bottle
• Snacks for baby
• Rash Ointment
• Nose syringe
• Medicine dropper
• Nail clipper
• Baby Tylenol
• Toys rattle
• Receiving blanket
• Extra set of clothing for baby
• Pacifier, if baby uses one
• Johnson Baby Powder
• Baby Magic Lotion
• Anti-bacterial hand cleaner
• Cosmetic-type bag stocked with teething aids, extra pacifier and nail clipper
• Zip lock bags for many purposes, including storage of dirty diapers if no convenient disposal is possible

All of this is in place BEFORE the baby ever makes a mess.

After the baby has been cleaned up, it is brought back into the service. It now is acceptable in polite company everywhere. It now is clean, looks clean and smells clean. Thanks to Mommy’s Diaper Bag and her foreknowledge of what babies may do.

If we understand that concept, then why is it a struggle for us all to conceive that there is a sin or a sinner that God is not able to take care of?

There is no sin common unto man that He can forgive. Before we were ever born, God had a “Diaper Bag” of sorts. Before we ever made a mess of our life, He was already prepared to clean us back up and restore us anew. Calvary provided for all of that!

I’m happy to tell you that He doesn’t throw those away that make a mess. He just cleans them up and brings them back into the service!

Be thankful and be encouraged!