My sweet Boston came down with an awful bug for the first time in her life.

She had been sleeping in our bed with us (yes, I did just admit that), when my husband and I both jumped up at the awful sound of her vomiting. The rest of the night consisted of three baths (FYI: baby shampoo does NOT take the smell away), every spare sheet left in the house (two year olds do not know how to aim into any type of trash bag), and only two pillows with cases still attached.

It was an awful night for me.

It was not the stench, the terrible mess, or the sleeplessness which made it such agony.

It was having to watch my sweet baby go through it. My heart broke as I was forced to simply sit next to her, unable to do anything as it passed through her.

I would have done anything to be sick in her place, but it was not possible.

On a horrid cross, Christ saw me, with all my faults, my failures, my “vomit,”  and in spite of it all, willingly took my pain upon Himself.

I would do it for Boston. I would die in her place. I would die without a second’s hesitation, a moment’s reconsideration.

It is now, in my few short years of motherhood, I realize why He bore the pain. I understand how my Creator can so quickly, without caution, sweep me up into His arms, filth and all.

It is because He loves me. He loves me more than I love my baby girl.

He does not hesitate at the mess I have made; not for a second does He turn up His nose in disgust. Others may turn away, but my Savior will huddle down next to me, in the middle of my vomit, and love me right through it.

How could I ever question His character? How could I doubt His goodness? Would I turn my back on my own children? Would I refuse their out held arms?

I come to Him today, reeking of sickness and failure, and yet I come confident, knowing He will not turn me away. Without hesitation He will run to me, in love.

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering. . .”  ~Isaiah 53:4 NIV

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” ~1 John 3:1 NIV