Don't Blame the Mud: Only Jesus Makes Us Clean

Read this with the boys on Easter today! Great kids book!

It’s not MY fault! They made me do it! I was just minding my own business, but then she… We’re all used to these sort of excuses and blame-shifting, aren’t we? We not only see it in our children and teenagers, but even among adults and within ourselves. It’s a common trait of sinful, fallen men — one that traces its origins all the way back to the Garden when Adam blame-shifts and turns the spotlight away from himself and onto God and Eve by saying: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). Teaching our children how to take responsibility for sin, and much more importantly, how God responds to our sin and offers to forgive sin is something that we all as parents strive to do better. One powerful way that we can teach these things to our children in a memorable and impactful way is through the use of stories. And one such story that New Growth Press has recently published is excellent in this regard — Don’t Blame the Mud: Only Jesus Makes Us Clean by Marty Machowski The Story Despite his mother’s reminder to keep his school clothes clean, Max thinks that he can walk down the muddy path where he can catch frogs and skip stones without getting his clothes dirty. As he says as he embarks on this path of temptation, “Soon I forgot all about Mom’s warnings.” The book then details his expedition of walking on logs, hopping over rocks, and dodging mud splashes, all along with Max thinking, “Mom will never know I came home this way.” And then things take a turn for the worse. A frog jumps out in front of him, he trips on a stick, and grabs hold of a tree branch, which proceeds to break. He almost makes it out unscathed until he slips on a rock and boom — straight into the mud. Max scrambles to figure out what to do. He decides he’ll try to hide his disobedience and sneak into his room, discard of his clothes, and his mom will never know of his disobedience. We all know how that works out though. Upon seeing the mud tracks leading to his room, his mom knew exactly what happened. Max shifts the attention off of him and blames the mud for splashing on him — not owning up to his own decision to ignore his mom’s command and avoid the path home where the mud was in the first place. After being confronted by his dad, Max finally owns up to his sin, realizing through his parents’ teaching that the stain of his disobedience goes deeper than the mud on his clothes — a stain that only Jesus can take care of for us. The Review In a vividly illustrated and told story, Machowski helps parents teach their children the real consequences of sin and the real forgiveness that God offers through Jesus in the Gospel. New Growth Press’s website summarizes it well when they say: By clearly articulating the Gospel, Don’t Blame the Mud helps parents create an environment of confession so kids can own up to their own mistakes—in the freedom of Christ—rather than place the blame elsewhere. Parents, teachers, and caretakers can help children identify with the real-life draw of temptation and the real-life consequences of sin, understanding the value of God’s salvation through the cross. Instead of teaching kids how to deal with a problem, Machowski uncovers the real issue of sin and provides a gospel answer. I found this book to be very well done and a very helpful addition to our library for our children. I read it with our four year old and he really enjoyed the story, though I don’t think the real lessons that the story drove home were quite able to connect with him yet. I think the primary age target for this book would be in the 6-10 years old range, though it is certainly helpful for children younger and older! With the sections at the end of “helping your child understand sin” and “helping your child understand the gospel,” Machowski helps parents with some practical tips and questions to drive the truths of the book home. I plan to continue to read this with our children in the years to come and, Lord willing as they mature and progress in their understanding, I trust that they will be helped by this book to see the real-life draw of temptation, the real-life consequences of sin, and the amazing grace of God’s salvation through the cross of Jesus In accordance with FTC regulations, I would like to thank New Growth Press for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

“Don’t Blame the Mud” is a simpler portrayal made for children to better understand our sins and what they do to us. It explained in a heartfelt yet easy to understand way, using creative illustrations that connect the child to the story. It was a very good message, but would need to be for a child old enough to sit still for a period of time as the book is a little bit longer and requires attention. But all in all, a good way to get across the message of repenting.

"Don't Blame the Mud" is a simpler portrayal made for children to better understand our sins and what they do to us. It explained in a heartfelt yet easy to understand way, using creative illustrations that connect the child to the story. It was a very good message, but would need to be for a child old enough to sit still for a period of time as the book is a little bit longer and requires attention. But all in all, a good way to get across the message of repenting.

Author Marty Machowski and illustrator Craig MacIntosh have come together and crafted a fun and unique children’s picture book about temptation and the consequence to making bad choices. Portraying temptation as mud is a unique way of capturing the attention of children in a fun and positive learning environment. This is not only a great parenting tool for teaching about temptation and consequences of bad choices, but also showing how God plays a role in it all. The story is fun and enjoyable and there are great parenting resources in the back of the book. A great read for children.

This book was great! As a matter of fact I even used in our Wednesday night kids club to teach the kids about sin and salvation. It's a cute story about a boy, who even though he knows better, ends up walking home off the path he should be on, and gets covered in mud. His mom clearly told him not to get his school clothes dirty, but they just happen to get that way. (Through no fault of his own, of course) At least, that is what he tells himself and his mom, after he sneaks into the house and tries to hide the mud. The author does an amazing job at explaining sin, salvation, and that no matter how hard we try to get clean on our own, without Jesus it just isn't possible. The boy finally understands his need for a Savior. I would highly recommend this book! I was blessed to receive a courtesy copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

Wow!! I have been a fan of Marty Machowski's for a while now. We are actually currently working our way through one of his 10 minute devotions, Wise Up: Ten-Minute Family Devotions in Proverbs. So we were excited to dig into this short story book for kids. It is the perfect length that will keep everyone engaged, even younger kids. The illustrations are very adorable and my kids enjoyed them. The story is very skilled at representing our sin and how we need God to clean us. It shows that we are responsible for our own sin and only God can help us to get clean. Not only is the story very engaging and entertaining but it clearly shares the Gospel through Max's parents. Max understands His need for a Savior and actually comes to Christ right in the pages of the story. So this is a terrific way to get conversations started. I actually wish I had come upon this book when my kids are younger, but we will be sharing it with everyone. At the end is a space for parents to help guide you in talking to your kids about salvation and some steps to take if they are ready. This is such an amazing resource that should be in every home.

I found this to be one of the best children's books in telling in a very simplistic way how sin stains us and how only Jesus can take that sin away. This story is about a boy who disobeys his mother and what follows is exactly what she said would happen. No matter how careful he was, he could not miss stepping in the mud on the trail that he thought looked so much more fun. After getting all muddy he then tries to hide his guilt. Unfortunately that only made matters worse and led his parents right to the place where he thought he could hide. His parents were fair and loving and explained to their son about salvation. I have really been enjoying author Machowski's books geared to explaining the Gospel to children. This was a delightful story book with lovely and colorful illustrations. I received a copy of this novel from the publishers. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

I found this to be one of the best children's books in telling in a very simplistic way how sin stains us and how only Jesus can take that sin away. This story is about a boy who disobeys his mother and what follows is exactly what she said would happen. No matter how careful he was, he could not miss stepping in the mud on the trail that he thought looked so much more fun. After getting all muddy he then tries to hide his guilt. Unfortunately that only made matters worse and led his parents right to the place where he thought he could hide. His parents were fair and loving and explained to their son about salvation. I have really been enjoying author Machowski's books geared to explaining the Gospel to children. This was a delightful story book with lovely and colorful illustrations.

Our family has been incredibly blessed by a number of resources written by Marty Machowski, most notably, his Old and New Testament devotionals for families so, I was excited to read his latest work for children, "Don't Blame the Mud". The Gospel message communicated through the parents was crystal clear and the follow-up questions provided in the parent section were helpful for drawing the kids out to think about ways that they struggle to obey, seek to blame-shift, etc. We honestly didn't love the story and read it repeatedly. Perhaps some of your kids will receive the story better. The Gospel message and follow-up questions certainly make it worth giving a shot. :) *Many thanks to New Growth Press for sending me a complimentary copy of "Don't Blame the Mud"! This is my honest opinion!