Read: Psalm 51:2; Isaiah 43:25; 1 John 1:6-9

Press, stamp! Press, stamp!

Kaitlyn’s thumb squished into the orange stamp pad, then she squashed it onto paper. Next, she pushed her finger into the yellow stamp pad, and a sunny oval appeared on the page. Soon she had a collection of colorful fingerprints, and she was ready to create designs with her black pen.

But her fingers were coated in wet, gooey ink in every color of the rainbow! She couldn’t pick up her pen without leaving bright marks all over it.

“Mom,” Kaitlyn called. “Help!” She waved ten inky fingertips in the air.

Mom arrived with a warm towel, and as Kaitlyn’s fingers washed clean, the white washcloth became stained with color.

“You know,” observed Mom, “this reminds me of something.”

“What?” asked Kaitlyn. She picked up her pen with clean fingers and began to doodle on top of the fresh, dry ink.

“When we are stained with sin, like your fingers were stained with ink, Jesus is the only one who can make us clean.”

Suddenly, Kaitlyn’s elbow was bumped from behind. The black pen in her hand wildly curved across her page. “It’s ruined!” she cried. “Hunter, it’s all your fault!”

Her little brother’s shoulders slumped.

Immediately, Kaitlyn felt remorseful. She prayed silently. She thought of how the white cloth had just removed ink stains from her hands, and she asked Jesus to forgive her harsh words and wash her clean. Then, taking a deep breath, Kaitlyn said, “I’m sorry I yelled at you, Hunter. It was just an accident.”

Hunter moved close for a little hug, then leaned against the table to watch.

Kaitlyn turned that wild black line into a swooping antenna. She dotted on black eyes and colored in larger spots to make an orange ladybug. Next, on a green print, she drew curly wool, a little face, and spindly legs to make a sweet lamb.

Soon Kaitlyn’s page filled with animals of all kinds. When she was finished, she turned to Hunter. “Would you like me to help you make fingerprint art?”

A wide smile was her answer.

–Wendy Lynne Smith

How about you? Do you need God to wash away the stain of your sin? God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to take your guilt upon Himself. All you need to do is confess your wrongdoings and trust Him to make you clean. Jesus will forgive your sins and give you a clean heart.

Today's Key Verse: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus washes away your sin