It’s no use! The stain is not coming out. I had splurged on the outfit for our daughter to wear to a special end of third grade grandmother-mother-daughter tea party. The event was so special and Caroline had experienced her first chocolate fountain, something she would later request for her wedding reception. The top she had worn was nothing extravagant, a simple knit tee, but I had hoped she would wear it many times afterwards. Now, a long chocolate stain trailed down the front of the butter yellow ruffled sleeve top and it was not responding to any of the stain removers I had tried.
Early in our marriage, I worked while finishing college and we borrowed money to help pay the bills while my husband finished his medical training. Our first child was born during his first year of residency, our second, our only girl, in his third year, and our third during his fifth and final year. Money was always extremely tight during those years, but by the time our middle child was in third grade, my husband was in practice and our budget had relaxed a little. Still this purchase felt significant- I had justified it by counting its long-term usefulness. Now it was relegated to play clothes for outside only.
If this seems frivolous to you, I appeal to the sense of economy that was instilled in me by my parents and their parents, or apparently genetically transmitted through from my dad’s mom along with the shape of my face, the color of my hair, and my knees. It is a silly example to be sure but it brings to mind another moment from around the same time.
I had developed a steady habit of reading my Bible and praying once our children were in bed each evening. I’d made a notebook to keep track of my prayers, allowing me to give thanks at appropriate intervals for signs of answered prayers. At the top of each page was a name, beginning with my husband and three children and extending through our parents and siblings and their extended families. I’ve long since forgotten many of the things recorded in those pages, but one memory stands out. As far as I could see, I had my spiritual life pretty well ordered but I had an overwhelming feeling that I was the only one really trying. I was reminded of that sense of frustration as I read the words of Isaiah the prophet, and I came to the same conclusion.
“I replied, “But my work seems so useless!
I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”
Isaiah 49:4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.49.4.NLT
What follows in Isaiah forty-nine, imbedded in the promises of God to Israel, are beautiful prophecies of Messiah. Even the prophets who penned the words to the captives in Babylon did not recognize the weight and long-term significance of the word of the Lord which they were called to steward. Freedom and restoration for the captives extended beyond that place and time to every nation, tribe, and tongue. Speaking the truth isn’t always easy, and it can often feel like no one is listening, but we are commissioned with sharing the good news in and out of season.
“Preach the word of God.
Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
2 Timothy 4:2-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.4.2-5.NLT
“Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment.
But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.
In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious.
And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.”
1 Timothy 5:24-25 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1ti.5.24-25.NLT
““Watch out!
Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!
I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them.
I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.
Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do.
They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.
Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting.
I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private.
And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.1-18.NLT
That chocolate stain never came out, no matter how hard I tried. No amount of regret made it any less obvious and I just couldn’t put that soiled shirt on my precious little girl. Finally, exasperated, I threw it out. Thank God, He never casts me aside! While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me. (Romans 5:8) Though my sins were like scarlet, He makes me white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) And when I feel like it’s no use, He gently reminds me that I am not alone. He is Immanuel, God with us, and He will never leave or forsake His children. (Isaiah 7:14, Hebrews 13:5) This is good news! God is making all things new!
“Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others.
God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves.
Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.
And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
2 Corinthians 5:11, 15, 18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.5.11-18.NLT
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
A Fitting Reply 
A great message.
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