As I sat quietly the other morning, drapes drawn back to let the outside in, I was extremely inspired by the view. Every tree branch, scarred or broken, every frost withered plant, and every area of imperfect landscaping was covered in purity. Lacy white snow had fallen over night. No "dirt" was showing. Nothing that might have been considered ugly the day before appeared so in that moment. All of nature was covered with the sense of purity that only a blanket of snow can bring. Ah, it was beautiful!

And so it is with love: the God kind of love that falls gently, yet persistently over us each day regardless of the "climate" in which we may live. The Father "so loved"* us that He came to cover our sins with the purity of the blood of His Son, Jesus. In His redemptive washing we have been made pure! David prayed, "wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7b That is the cry of our hearts, isn't it?

But, there is another side to covering love. We are encouraged, in fact exhorted in 1 Peter, that "above all things" we are to love each other deeply! In loving one another we become like the fresh fallen snow on the hillsides of West Virginia. We have the power to cover a multitude of sins!

What is the practical application here? When we don't repeat a matter, when we refrain from gossip and slander, when we pray for a brother or sister caught in sin, when we go to them in gentleness and humility, when we offer help instead of criticism....it is then that we cover their sins. Think about walking in this level of love for one another. "Snow" upon the one who has sinned. Your love for them might be just what it will take to help them to be cleansed and to walk in snow white purity. It is what Jesus has done for us.

Over most of our country this week it has been snowing. We really don't remember if the grass beneath the snow needed mowing or if there were rocks or ruts marring the lawn.... all we see is the pure whiteness of the snow. Let's cover one another in the way Father God loves us. Then, a multitude of sins, failures, and imperfections will be loved away to repentance and purity.

Let's pray: "Father, thank you for loving me and washing me with your love. Help me to be one who has fervent love for others and in so doing covers their sins with your grace and mercy. I trust you to bring about the purity of repentance and forgiveness in my life and in theirs. Amen"

*Loved-agapoa(Greek)=unconquerable benevolence, undefeatable goodwill
I found this definition to be a great meditation on the word "loved". Think about the extent of the love Father God has for us. Can we not also choose to walk in the kind of love that "covers sin"?