Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Cover.
I cannot sleep if the covers on our bed are not up to at least my neck. My arms need to be under and most nights, the only part of my body not covered are my eyes.
It must be the covers provide a sense of protection or safety. But most probably, I enjoy the warmth and the comfort of my covers. The sense of security they bring.
As a young child, I remember a quilt my grandma made for me. It was so heavy and when tucked in for the night, peace settled over me and I quickly fell asleep.
The memories brought this verse to mind:
“Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.” (Proverbs 10:12, NKJV)
It’s funny how when we may have a bone to pick with someone, or just don’t like them much, we will speak of their wrongdoings, of their sins. It’s almost becomes a way of getting even with them, especially if we were wronged or hurt.
But when we love someone, truly love them, we will keep it to ourselves. We don’t feel the need to parade their sin or faults to others.
Every once in a while, I wonder how Eugene Peterson would word a verse, and this morning I turned to see. It was surprising to see these words:
“Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” (Proverbs 10:12, MSG)
Covers and quilts,
let’s pull them up over our mouths.
Let’s love more, bring peace, and stop the bickering.
Image by Adrian Eyre from Pixabay
Today I may be joining …
So much truth in this! You tucked this message in so comfy it went straight to the heart!
Amen! Yes! Jesus’ forgiveness is a comforting quilt covering us! and we should share that comfort with others, our enemies most of all. So hard to do. Holy Spirit, help us! Thank you for this wonderful post! FMF#4
What a neat connection between your quilt story and Peterson using that word in his translation. This is a good reminder to truly cover other people’s sins. Sometimes I may not say anything, but I still turn over what other people did in my mind instead of giving them to God.
Comfort and conviction all wrapped up in a few words. Thank you, Joanne.
I usually sleep without covers, except on the coldest nights, when I only cover my feet (wearing socks doesn’t work!).
I too liked the connexion between the quilt of your childhood, and the cover of love.
I love the MSG translation of that verse! I like to be covered, but sometimes with one foot sticking out 🙂
I like my covers pulled up tight around me as well. It’s such a comfort… except on the blooming hot nights!! 🙂 It’s good to quilt others with our love yes?
I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of that verse, and I also like to sleep with my covers pulled all the way up–sometimes even to my head..
I love this analogy. Great post! FMF friend Mitzy.