I was getting ready for work. Cool Mum was busy in the kitchen. So, the boy was doing time in the Pack ‘n Play. I was about ready when I walked by the P’nP and smelled something. I brushed it off, thinking it was some memory smell lingering in my nose.
However, on my way out, it struck again. Against my better judgment, I leaned down and sniffed. Poop.
I had a choice. I could pretend like I never smelt what he dealt and leave CM to handle it. Or I could act what I now knew, change him, and save the boy unnecessary fecal sitting. By God’s grace, I took the 3 minutes to change him.
A song soon started playing in my head. “Albertine” by Brooke Fraser.
DISCLAIMER: This is in no way to make light of Ms. Fraser, her music, or her message. I have the highest respect for her songwriting, artistry, and desire to make an eternal impact on this world.
The addictive chorus of “Albertine” starts with these 2 lines:
Now that I have seen
I am responsible
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way equating the scope of this song’s meaning to my situation.
She’s talking about the suffering of a nation (Rwanda), and, in a broader sense, of the oppressed around the world. I’m talking about a stinky poo diaper.
However, at the heart of both cases is the same thing. Character, responsibility, or whatever you want to call it. It’s knowing about a situation that you can act and show love in and then choosing whether to do so.
I have neighbors who are suffering and need love and attention. I have loved ones who don’t know the love and lordship of Jesus. I have seen and heard so much that I’ve ultimately ignored. I’m not responsible for everything, but honestly, I could have acted so many times and selfishly chose not.
If we’ve seen, heard, felt, smelled or if we know, we should ask God if we’re responsible. It would be a more loving and Spirit-filled way to live.
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Great post! Funny how we fight our fallen human nature in even something as small as changing a diaper. And something as big as reaching out to a neighbor or a family or a city or a nation in need.
Speaking of poo…here’s another small “now that I have seen”: packages of disposable diapers say to remove and flush solid waste before putting the diaper into the trash. I think there is an important environmental reason for this. Who wants to do it though?
rachel — thanks so much for sticking around in spite of all the diaper and baby food talk…your presence makes this site so much cooler!
Great thoughts.
I enjoyed reading your post!
needing credit….i usually make an announcement that i discovered poop and will take care of the problem.
fancypants – thanks! have a great weekend.
travis – how do you word that announcement?
i picture it like a breaking news headline: “This just in: Poop has been spotted in the vicinity of the baby’s backside.”
ha ha ha… I think my husband must “pretend” not to smell the dirty diapers every now and then…
I’ll have to play that song for him… ha ha .
good thought