In our early marriage, one of the things I quickly observed and have now really understood about Charlie’s parents is their passion for DIY. From painting to new carpet, a new kitchen to putting up fresh wallpaper and laminate flooring, a good old “Mead” project seems to be in their blood. And Charlie’s certainly taking in their footsteps.

On Sunday, we took a break from our normal routine of heading to church and had a morning off. I was taking Anna into central London for an early afternoon birthday party and my in-laws very kindly volunteered their time with helping paint our log cabin in the garden. Charlie had constructed the cabin a few years ago, but somehow life got busy and we never got around to finishing off the outside of it.

Well, this was the monumental moment as we put on the first coat of soft grey paint and white for doors and trimming! Immediately the cabin looked so fresh and new again. It really highlighted how dark and weathered particular patches of wood had become and it was in desperate need of some tender loving care.

It got me thinking about the Bible verse, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,’ from Isaiah 1:18. As I watched my husband and his parents together paint our dirty, weathered and sad looking cabin, it was great to remember how God covers over the sins in our lives. He alone has the authority to erase all of our blemishes and faults of what we say, what we think, and what we do.

What a nice reminder that we don’t have to stay in a place of guilt and shame. As we say we’re sorry and ask forgiveness through Jesus, the muck and grime on our hearts is covered over and we are made new again.

And how comforting to know that we are not alone with our mistakes. We are all works-in-progress, in need of some project restoration to our hearts. We can encourage each other through our mistakes and victories along our faith journeys. Just as Charlie’s parents came alongside him to finally paint the cabin, likewise Jesus walks right next to us and with the Holy Spirit’s working, we are renewed.

Transformed from scarlet to white as snow, we are offered daily redemption by our loving and forgiving Saviour. So the question is… will we let Him?