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Covered

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I wondered how this situation snowballed out of control.  How a simple decision to not do something turned into Judge Judy’s courtroom, where I was the tried and charged “GUILTY”!  

Regardless of the verdict, God spoke to my heart “COVERED”.  He has said that to me a lot, of late.  Hmmm?  

As Noah’s voyage in the rain season of a lifetime came to end, he wanted a glass of wine.  Who wouldn’t?  Think about it.  He spends years building a gigantic ship, mocked by friends and people in the community.  He gathers lions, tigers, bears and birds and corrals them into the ship.  With his family on board, it starts to rain.  This rainy season lasts forty days.  Mount Everest ranges 29,000 feet above earth and it was under water.  The whole earth is covered.  I’m thinking Noah had seen enough rain to last a lifetime!  

After the rain stopped, it took over 150 days to dry things out.  Imagine the humidity and the stench inside the ship.  No port-a-potty or air ducts to help the flow of foul air.  Need I say more? 

Shortly after setting foot on dry land, God instructs Noah on the good food habits that Pastor Laura wishes we would all grab a hold of.  Then God blesses Noah with the words, “Be fruitful and multiply”.  The cherry on top of this beautiful cake is God’s invention, the rainbow!  

Since Noah was a farmer, and it was a great season of rain, he planted a vineyard. The grape harvest was rich and succulent.  This is where things get a little out of hand.   Noah must have been chomping at the bit to have some wine.  He had so much wine he passed out on the floor naked.  The plot gets more twisted when one son turns tales of daddy’s drunk, passed out on the floor, naked story.  He was probably immature and thought it was funny.  While the other sons are shocked, go in backwards and cover their dad’s nakedness. 

In life we have the opportunity to cover the mistakes of others, or point them out at the expense of their credibility.  What will you do?

Copyright © 2010 by Anita Strychalski. All Rights Reserved.

   Anita Strychalski has been on staff at Shoreline Church for nine years supporting church services and serving the pastoral care needs of the congregation. She is passionate about all scopes of social justice and believes that God placed gifts and talents in each of us. When we put these gifts and talents into action, we express the highest form of gratitude to a loving God. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Human Services at St. Edward’s with a minor in Disaster Management. Contact Anita at 512-681-3248 or anita.strychalski@shoreline.net

6 comments (Add your own)

1. Amy O'Donnell wrote:
Great blog Anita! Offering grace in our relationships is so important!. We love that God gives us grace, but sometimes we forget to offer it to one another. That is so key. Love Covers... I love it! Great message.

Fri, August 20, 2010 @ 1:52 PM

2. Jan Harbour wrote:
I love your way with words, Anita. Very meaningful, and to the point. Our tongues can hurt others in so many ways. We so need to guard that thing in our mouth! Thanks for your message!

Fri, August 20, 2010 @ 3:05 PM

3. Rex Whisenhunt wrote:
1 Corinthians 4:12 (New International Version)
12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

Fri, August 20, 2010 @ 8:23 PM

4. Sommer Roy wrote:
What a wondeful way to illustrate such an awesome lesson!! :)

Sat, August 21, 2010 @ 1:00 AM

5. Cheryl Luke wrote:
Thanks for writing, Anita.

Sat, August 21, 2010 @ 8:44 AM

6. Anita Strychalski wrote:
I consider it an honor to share God's insight into my life- hopefully folks will be blessed!

Sun, August 22, 2010 @ 7:21 PM

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