He lies exposed from the effects of too much wine.
Passed out and fully uncovered, he sleeps.
Someone enters the tent and makes a decision he paid for later. Gen 9:25
Instead of quietly covering Noah’s nude body, his son Ham leaves him as is.
Then “to his father’s shame” he tells his two brothers Shem and Japheth. 9:22
They “took a robe, put it on both their shoulders and walked backwards and covered the nakedness of their father.” 9:23
Rather than ridicule Noah in his vulnerable state they mercifully covered him.
Ham made Noah the subject of conversation.
When Noah wasn’t in any condition to defend himself.
When loved ones act without love, it hurts.
Shem and Japheth’s actions didn’t mean they approved of Noah’s situation.
But they understood in that moment He needed covering. Not correction.
We’re no different from Noah.
When we’re exposed from poor choices before correction we need compassion.
Before Jesus confronts the woman at the well’s condition He sends everyone away.
He’s not there to shame her. But to save her.
A merciful move on His part. John 4:7-29
We all make bad choices that create consequences that expose us.
It’s then we need a mercy covering. We know we messed up.
Extending mercy isn’t approving bad behavior.
We’re extending what we know we too need. Mercy.
I’m here today because in my messiest moments I had family and friends who covered me before calling me out.
Instead of criticizing me, they offered compassionate counsel.
Instead of making me the topic of conversations they quietly provided a covering.
If your inner circle is unwilling to cover you when your choices leave you exposed, vulnerable, weakened in your spiritual walk, find a new circle.
And let Christ cover you with His mercy.
Then be reconciled to God through Him.
He carried on HIs shoulders the cross of covering of your sins.
And mine.
Because “The old things (the previous moral and spiritual condition) have passed away. Behold, new things have come (because spiritual awakening brings a new life). 2 Cor 5:17
Sandra Hubbard 
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