WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Do we cloak our sacred space in love? Proverbs 17:9

Do we protect the sacred space of friends?


TODAY'S PROVERB: Whoever covers up an offense seeks love. Whoever repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

Have you ever noticed that the people we love the most can hurt us the most deeply? Perhaps because we're most vulnerable with these loved ones. A spouse, parent, child, or best friend can inadvertently wound us with their words or actions.

When people we don't know well offend us, it can definitely sting, but generally we can address and move on.

With loved ones who we think should know better, it can brew into something more when we dwell on it--letting it "repeat" in our mind over and over again.

I love the use of "cover" in this verse. The Hebrew summons the image of someone covering one with a cloak or clothing as a way of protecting them. In this case, almost with a sense of modesty. That those around them can't see the offense. It's only seen between us and our loved one.

All of this is done in love and with respect.

Does it mean we allow loved ones to repeatedly offend us without saying anything? Of course not. Let's face it--we can say hurtful things when we're tired, frustrated, angry, or we may not realize there are tender areas we've hurt.

When the offense happens, we can assess if it's worth discussing in a quiet moment or discern that its intent was not to harm. 

 [NOTE: If the "offense" is of an abusive or dangerous nature, please seek professional counsel with a pastor, minister, rabbi, or counselor.]

Whether it's discussed or not, the offense needs to be covered in the cloak of love and forgiveness to protect the sacred space between us.

If, on the other hand, we continue to bring it up repeatedly--or worse--repeat it to others to gain support of our cause, we can destroy the trust between our loved ones.

It's our choice whether we cloak in love or expose and repeat the offense. Our choice. Then, my friends, may we choose wisely.

May we cover in love, my friends.

Proverbs 17:9, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs

[WATCH MONDAY through FRIDAY LIVE at 8:30EST, Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with the book of Proverbs. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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