Washed

There were serious discussions whether the Environmental Protection folks would allow it to cross from Mississippi into Alabama even though it, and its dank, black filthiness, was well sealed inside a plastic bag. Strong men carried it and put it in the back of the trailer as far from the inside of the vehicle as was possible. Even though saturated and stained with the slimy, vile sludge, the “gaudy, bright orange color” (as one has described it) seemed to exude through the bag some kind of ominous warning - like the purple-ish, magenta color used to warn of nuclear radioactive contaminated stuff. The plastic bag itself took on the grossness from within making us wonder how long before it would dissolve the bag and escape.

It was unloaded and put on the other side of the parking lot - way away - while the other things were unloaded. With trepidation, the cankered plastic bag was loaded into the back of the bed of the pick-up truck. The camper shell door was propped open to allow ventilation should the eroding plastic bag finally succumb.

Strong detergent, enzymes, color safe bleach, and scalding hot water sloshed in the washing machine as the plastic was carefully unsealed. With a sick sounding plop, and a quick slam of the lid, it was submerged and again contained. Even with this delicate and deft handling, the foul stench permeated the closed-off washroom. Strong stomachs abandoned the room and slammed the door.

Two wash cycles later, the lid was tentatively lifted the slightest crack. Then, carefully, it was lifted out and examined. It could be held in un-protected hands but the evil-looking stain was still there.

More hot water, detergent, and suds? More enzymes and bleach? No, the stain is there. Nothing we can do will ever remove it.

Did You say there is a way? It sounds pitifully simple and totally ridiculous, but we have to try - the stain is still there.

You say that if we soak it in this red stuff, the stain will be gone?

What else did You say? Not only will the stain be gone, it will be white as the purest snow? You are nuts! That makes exactly no sense.

Why don’t You ask us to do something big, something scientific, something that shows how intelligent and powerful we are?

Soak it in something red?

Oh, You’re not talking about the shirt? You are ….. talking about ….. me?

That’s how I am.

I want to do something smart, something special, something that is logical, something of my own making. Wash my robes in that red stuff? It doesn’t make sense.

Trust You? It really will remove my stain? Really? Really?

“Yes, child, really.”

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb". Revelation 7:14

The orange shirt is still stained. No, the red stuff won’t help it, but the red stuff cleaned me.

Can I ever wear that stained orange shirt enough times to repay You?

“No, but you can wear it. While you wear it, I will lead you through your tribulation.”