The Ice Cream Mess: A Lesson in Cleaning Up

Kimberlea Hardy
Feb 11
3 min read

“You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!” That is, until the ice cream starts melting, and creates a sticky mess that gets on everyone and everything.

After my daughter’s T-ball game, we cooled off at our local Dairy Queen, grateful for the sweet treat and the air conditioning. They smiled contentedly, unaware of my eagerness to wash the sticky mess off their faces.

My daughter enjoying her ice cream cone.

When they finished their ice cream, I told them we needed to clean their faces. I was met with groans and grumbles as I gently wiped them clean. How many times do we grumble when we have to clean something up?

Wash My Feet: Learning from Jesus’s Example

Last week, we learned that Jesus led by example and took on the role of a servant leader by washing his disciples’ feet. When Jesus approached Simon Peter, Peter asked Jesus if he was going to wash his feet. Their conversation unfolded as follows:

“Jesus answered him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

“Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.'

“Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.'” (John 13:6-9, ESV).

I can relate to Peter. Do you?

This conversation made me stop and think about how many times in my life I have gone through the motions and checked off the good things I did that made me feel like a “good” Christian.

How many times in my life have I been content with my walk with the Lord, and failed to realize how “dirty” I am?

Are You Clean?

Contentment often means we are happy with our circumstances. Life feels good, and we don’t see the need for change, even if things are messy and could use some tidying up. Peter’s questioning of Jesus wasn’t necessarily prideful; it was his way of responding to discomfort. When Jesus gave him an ultimatum, Peter quickly changed his stance.

I picture Peter, choking back his words and abruptly sitting down while Jesus quietly approaches, kneels, and begins to wash his feet. As Jesus washes Peter’s feet, he explains that once someone is bathed, they only need to wash their feet because they are already clean. (John 13:10) Jesus isn’t just talking about physical cleanliness; He’s speaking about spiritual cleanliness. Once we accept Him as our Savior, we are clean. Our sins are forgiven, and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)

Which Will You Choose?

Even though we are clean, we still make mistakes. The Holy Spirit convicts us, and we must choose how to respond. We can smile contentedly at our mess and remain comfortable, or we can allow Jesus to wash our feet, and embrace the discomfort of change.

If we choose to clean up, we may groan and grumble, just like my kids did when I washed their faces, and that is okay. Jesus wants us to be honest with Him. Once we are saved, our lives are changed. We will want to understand ourselves better and clean up our mess so we can reflect who we are in Jesus. Over time, the fruits of the Spirit will grow and become second nature to us.

Being willing to surrender and let go is a daily process. As we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will find joy and peace even in life’s toughest moments. Jesus makes it clear: if we choose to stay comfortable, we have nothing to do with Him. Unfortunately, many Christians in the western world don’t realize the comfort and ease we experience in our faith. It is time to wake up, pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus, our Lord, and ask Him what His will is for our lives.