Marker Remover

Year 8-Day 91:Today, I am grateful for marker removers.

"I decided to make sure my Husband woke up with a smile on his face this morning. Now, I can't have Sharpies in the house anymore." 

One of my favorite books to read to the boys when they were little was by Robert Munsch. Chase requested Munsch's "I Love  You Forever" and I would chose "Purple, Green & Yellow" (Listen to the author read the story here: https://robertmunsch.com/book/purple-green-and-yellow#.).  Same author. Two very different books. 

Purple, Green & Yellow was silly and witty and it had “super-indelible-never-come-off-until-you’re-dead-and-maybe-even-later coloring markers.” What's not to love, right? Colors, markers and art coming to life. Okay, maybe it caused a little trouble, too. What is art without some risk? 

A permanent marker can be a real friend... and maybe a foe if it is left in the wrong hands. Did you know you can remove a Sharpie mark with an alcohol wipes, a Magic eraser or hand sanitizer?  There is a list of ways to remove Sharpie marks, depending on the surface. 

It is Lenten season. It is the a reminder that we were permanently marked by sin. Nothing pretty about it. Just like Brigid didn't mean to get in trouble with her “super-indelible-never-come-off-until-you’re-dead-and-maybe-even-later coloring markers”, we make choices with big consequences. Her lack of self control in the story reflects our human nature. Jesus paid the price to fix our mistakes. 

"But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all." -Isaiah 53:5-6

Sin's stain was washed out. Removed. Never to come back even if it rains, even if a disease spreads through the land... even if we lose jobs, homes or our earthly treasures because of disasters or poor choices. When His forgiveness and healing cover us... we are covered. 

"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins." -Psalm 51:1

"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross."-Colossians 2:14

Cancelled debts. Sins nailed to the cross. The consequences removed. We are no longer marked by our super-indelible-the-price-is-death sins that separate us from God. The cross wins. Death becomes a door not a destination. There is reason to celebrate. 

Today, I am grateful for marker removers and the sin remover.