A Magnolia's Heart Beats

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

~ 1 Peter 4:8~

My WFW post last week was on the Fruits of the Spirit. The first fruit of the spirit listed is "Love". One of the questions I asked myself was, "How does my garden grow?"


One thing I have learned about love is this:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

While I can't exactly go out and die for others to demonstrate my love for them (my husband would miss me too much!), I can extend the love Christ has given me to others. When He died for our sins, He removed them as far as the east is from the west. One song I love puts into perspective just how far that is..."from one scarred hand to the other."


Should I not extend that same courtesy to others? Loving them enough to remove their sin from my life? I'm talking about deep-down forgiveness. The kind where you sometimes have to love the sinner but hate the sin, the kind where sometimes you have to continue to love them from a distance and not up close. Or perhaps the offense is minor and if they're not abusive or abrasive, as I like to say, welcoming them back into the fold.


I've found the following Scriptures helpful in expressing this kind of love:

"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." - Proverbs 17:9

"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." - Proverbs 10:12

One thing that might help me in this is having a council of 2 or 3 people (one will be my spouse) who are very close to me. I make sure that they know I am not gossiping or trying to change their opinion of the person, but if I just have to vent, I can do it safely. They will be able to pray with me about it and help me tend the Love row of my garden.


Wish me luck! Delving into cultivating my garden is an experience, I tell you. I have found that Christ has given me more opportunities to grow lately than I have ever had before. Growing kind of hurts, it stretches my branches, I guess. But it's a good feeling...it means I'm growing fruit!


Again, my prayer is:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24

Be sure to visit the host of 160AcreWoods for more Word Filled Wednesday's. God will surely bless you through these inspired posts, where Scripture and pictures are used in sharing God's Word for our lives.