Abba Mios was asked by a soldier, "Father, God then accepts the repentance of a sinner?"

The Elder, after counseling him with many instructive words, suddenly asked him: "Tell me, my beloved, when you tear your uniform, do you throw it away?" "No," the soldier answered, "I sew it and use it anew again."

Then Abba Mios also thoughtfully told him: "If you take pity on your clothing, will not God take pity on His own creation?" ~Sayings of the Desert Fathers