31 Days :: The Power of Love

Yesterday, I walked into the living room to find two angry little boys wrestling it out in the floor. Classic case of "You're sitting too close to me." and "Well, I can't see. Move over." It's amazing how quickly words turn into kicky feet and smacking hands around here. Before you know it, feelings are hurt, fists are flying and tears are falling.

I am learning that my boys' first response to working through conflict is hashing it out in living room floor. Being raised amongst all girls, this is new to me. Girls find that grudge holding a slamming doors is much more effective. Ahem.

"Boys. Out of the floor right now. Grant you are here. Ethan you are here. Separate couches. Now, tell me what happened."

I sometimes laugh inwardly at this question. I suppose I'm wanting to hear, "Mommy, we are fallen man. Adam should have stopped Eve. That fruit should have never been eaten. But they did eat it and now we desperately need Jesus."

That would be easier to work with than, "But Grant was in the way and I couldn't see the game and he pushed me and I pushed him back and....."

"Now, I want you all to look at each other and apologize." Simultaneously -"Sorry Grant/Ethan. I forgive you."

But sour faces still remained and I could see Grant mentally recording this one on his 'How I've Been Wronged' list."

"Guys, you all love each other. You're the best of friends. Let's take a minute to celebrate one another. Grant...look at Ethan and tell him one thing you love so much about him."

He turned his pinched face to me.

"Go on. One thing you love."

Love covers a multitude of sin. 1 Peter 4:8

"O.K. Ethan, I love it that you'll play football with me."

{Grins coming on}

Ethan's tiny voice replied, "Yeah. You're pretty good. I love it that Grant is a good reader."

{Full giggles}

They don't like this little exercise. But they love this little exercise.

Covers (kalyptō) - not to regard. To hinder the knowledge of a thing.

Wow. Read that again. Love hinders the knowledge of sin. Love disregards an offense.

Huey Lewis was right, "That's the Power of Love."

Do you see what happened? Love covered up their silly offenses toward each other. Love disregarded their wrong doing.

And upon asking His forgiveness, Jesus' love disregards our sin, too. He could easily pinch his face and keep record of all our wrong against Him. But he pardons us. His knowledge of our sin is hindered. He remembers it no more. As far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12)

Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Love covers a multitude of sin. 1 Peter 4:8

Have you been wronged by someone? Today, will you ask Jesus to fill you with His great love and affection for that person? Wrongdoing does not stand a chance in light of His love.

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