Daily Devotional: A soft covering
"Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." — 1 Peter 4:8-10 NRSVUE
When I first arrived in Northern Michigan, folks regaled me about the snow.
“Don’t worry, Pastor, we only got a hundred inches last year!”
They said they were never really snowed in, and I found that to be true over the years, if only you’re adventurous enough. Then, some friends said, “The snow here is not like the snow where you come from. It stays clean and white the whole winter.” Sounded too good! Of course, coming from Southern Illinois, I didn’t have that much to compare to.
Shortly after that conversation, I awoke one morning to lightly falling snow. It gently covered the old snow and the gray patches along the road were once again clean and bright. Then the snow stopped, the sun broke through the clouds, and ignited our world in a blazing clean light. “Lake effect,” was the phrase used.
Love is like that. Sometimes we get pretty gray — grumpy, irritable, impatient. But those who love us find ways to refresh us. Our love for others can have that effect. And when we love each other, our world explodes into Light.
Have faith. It all comes right.
Prayer: Lord, love knows no Season. Let love cover the flaws of those around me today, just as Your love does for me.
Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders has written books of devotions. For information on purchasing: Write21Mike@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: A soft covering
