Lately I’ve noticed that my friends are beginning to pair up and multiply. Now, I didn’t major in biology but I think it’s the result of feeding them after midnight or spilling water on them. Either way, I’m learning some new fascinating things about parenthood.

For instance, when a new mother thinks about having a drink after nine long months of sobriety, it’s not as simple as which wine pairs best with sleepless nights and diaper changes. If she is breastfeeding and has a drink, she’ll perform what’s referred to as a “pump and dump” – purge her milk and throw it away.

Now I am a man who lives in the danger zone when it comes to expiration dates and restaurant health inspection scores, so I had to question if it was really necessary to waste that milk. I mean, it’s probably fine for the baby. But as a parent, there is no question of compromise. They love their little one so much they will do whatever it takes to make sure that what they are giving is pure, is healthy, is life.

That’s when I was reminded of God and how He is pure. God is the Ultimate Parent that fiercely protects the link between Him and His children. There is no mixing it with impurities. There is no “well, maybe let’s just risk it.” In a world of gray, this is surely black and white. In a way, God pumps and dumps everything that is tainted. He demands purity.

If that sounds troubling, I sort of agree. I mean I am certainly tainted. I am a mix of light and darkness, I cannot pass for pure. And neither can you. This verse says it best…

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

Ah, but that’s where the Good News kicks in…

^“…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

I believe that the sacrifice made on the cross oh so long ago changes the rules. Like boiling water makes it pure, I believe that my impurities are made clean – not through any action of my own – but through a Grace that I cannot understand and I cannot ever use up.