“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” 1 Peter 4:8

Erasing Mistakes

When I was in elementary school, I always wanted one of those great big pink erasers—the one bigger than a deck of cards. I wanted my schoolwork to be perfect. I disliked re-writing rough drafts, so I always thoroughly erased my mistakes and carefully rewrote my answers. This often left my homework with nearly transparent areas from worn-away paper that had been repeatedly erased. Still, there was something to be said for turning in impeccable work.

If only we could erase our words after they are spoken! Maybe this is why I prefer writing to talking—written words can be “taken back” before they are made public, especially in this computer age.

Mistakes are not usually the same thing as “sins,” as used in today’s verse. Actual sins are “covered” by Jesus. But in love, we all have the chance to cover other people’s mistakes. We do not need to talk about their errors. We do not need to bring it up in front of others. We do not need to find fault. Love covers it up.

I’ve found that when I talk about the mistakes of others, it’s my way of not-so-humbly putting myself above them. I’m implying that I would never do what they did. I would never wear those clothes. I would never listen to that music. I would never been seen in that place—as if I’m above all that.

To cover something is to hide it, veil it, overlook it, and even forgive it. It is to hinder the knowledge of a thing. If someone makes a mistake, it is an act of love to keep others from knowing about it. This doesn’t mean we are to lie—it means we don’t make it public.

I’m ashamed of how many times I have not covered the mistakes of others. I’ve sometimes talked about them just to get others on my side, bolster my own emotions, make me look smarter or more spiritually mature than another. No, I didn’t realize I was doing that, but I know it with hindsight. I may not learn from the mistakes of others, but I certainly do learn from my own. The Holy Spirit knows how to use our own faults as a schoolroom!

1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us that “love is kind.” We all love those who are kind to us. If, when we leave this earth, someone memorializes us by saying, “She was kind to me,” ours will have been a life well-lived.

God “…is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:13). Let us love like this!

“Father, You never point out our mistakes to others. May we be kind in that same way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”