Love covers a multitude of sins

"Love covers a multitude of sins."

Have you ever seen the verse, "Love covers a multitude of sins"? It is one of my favorites and I pull it up in my mind often. Jesus is so interested in love and wants us to love like He loves. Notice I did not say "loved" as if He was still dead...

I love it when the Holy Spirit helps me retrieve this verse so I can apply it to my life and extend mercy, cut someone some slack, or react differently than I would have years ago, before I began to zero in on this verse.

Today after work I stopped by a grocery store that I usually do not frequent. I ordered a pre-made raw salad and a nice young man saw me waiting at the deli counter, parked his broom, and offered to assist me. I wondered if he would wash his hands or put on gloves before he helped me. After all, he had been cleaning only God knows what.

He did neither...

He reached for a long-handled spoon to scoop out my broccoli-raisin salad and I thought, "Well, how easily can germs make it from his hands to the broccoli, down that long handle in just a few short seconds?" I let it slide instead of making a big issue out of it...

There was only one problem: some of the broccoli flopped out onto his hand and he just took that spoon and scooped it right back into my container! At that point I had to choose how I would respond.

Instead of giving him a big lecture on why he should wear gloves and how he should not sell food that has touched his hand, I just felt led show some grace and smile, thanking him for the friendly service.

I then had to decide if I was going to march to the manager, demand a free broccoli salad and report the young man...

So I paid for the salad and shared the story with the Lord's kindness, while emphasizing that the man was one of the nicest people I had ever met and his customer service was excellent. All he needed was some training about health codes. The manager said he was new and would explain their policy. I doubt he was ever told about the gloves...

This man didn't "sin" against me as the verse states, but in my quest to grow in love and become more and more like Jesus, I look for little everyday ways I can apply his grace and love to others. I wonder if this was a small, silly way to do this... I really don't know, but just wanted to write about it. Maybe my two sons will stumble upon it one day and use it to address another scenario.

Yesterday while I was in the waiting room at the doctor's office the person at the desk asked each person who checked in to have their picture taken so it appears on their chart. They do this at MD Anderson, too, so they can be assured that you are you. There was a woman who became unglued, verbally outraged, over this and I felt for her, that such a thing would set her off like that. I felt compassion, though, and wondered if a cancer diagnosis had just caused her to cave in.

I think God cares about the little things as well as the big things. He cares about how we treat people - all people. We can exhort people or "teach" them in love and humility. I want to be better at that! I can recall times when I was just like that woman. I want to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord...

Today was a good day. I am thankful for another day. (Anne Buck, July 22, 11)

Blueberry pickin'

Today has been a fun day for us. Kynn and I set out early this morning to pick blueberries. (I have no pictures) :( Oh well.

As we were on our way to the blueberry patch, I called my mom to chat. We had decided to stop at a McDonalds right before we got to the field and I told mom that I was going to run in McDonalds and passed the phone to Kynn. I expected to get back on the phone when I returned, but the two of them had a conversation going that I did not want to interrupt. I wish the words I heard were recorded because I would love to hear them again.

Kynn said that as he was reading his Bible this morning he was thinking about the pretty new curtains that were hanging in our kitchen. (He hung them for me yesterday.) He pondered on the thought of how much time had been put into making the curtains, and also the time that is took to hang them. Then his thoughts went to wondering how much time does he actually put into hearing the voice of God. At that point, conviction of the Holy Spirit fell upon my heart. Truly, how much time do I concentrate on hearing the voice of God. How much time do I sit still and wait for him to speak to me? It has given me something to think about today.

What a precious phone call. I love the fact that my husband will take the time to have a relationship with my mom. I love the fact that when he hangs up he tells her that he loves her. I love the fact that he has a quiet time in the mornings. I love the fact that God will speak to me out of what He spoke to my husband during his quiet time. And, I love that we picked blueberries today. It was fun. It was hot. We picked 25 pounds. :)

A picture or two

That would be a bear!

Repairing a fence!

He is having a blast!

Kitty and Joel

www.joelandkitty.com

These are previous newlyweds that were in our Sunday School Class. Kitty has been having pain in her shoulder/arm for the past year. She had received physical therapy and injections with no relief, so a few weeks ago the doctor ordered a MRI. A tumor was found in her arm. Yesterday she had a biopsy. Please read the blog for an update at this time.

I am thanking God for his MERCY that he gave to this dear couple. We, along we many others, love them very much.

Our anniversary

We made it to 25 years on May 31st. Kynn blessed me with 25 pink roses and nice words on our message plate. It was a great day and we are hoping for many more years together. God has been so good to us.

Cowboys

These are the best looking cowboys I have ever seen!!! (Christopher's new friends and co-workers)

Christopher's pictures

A few of Christopher's pictures!